Agree that the numbers of players playing in the NRL has benefitted England massively. We could do with getting a few young halfbacks over there, that is where we're behind.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Ferres have the job of containing SBW today. Considering an important fact like that one, I thought he did a pretty good job to be fair!

Just watched the game ( although I did catch the last 10 minutes live ) ,overall England as a team played well, the ref was a little inconsistant but things probably evened out over the game

A couple of poor decisions late on cost in the end , Widdops poor kick, then Sinfields terrible kick with 2 minutes on the clock, and finally Georges lazy tackle

But this is RL, no more than we expected , I do believe this was the chance to finally get that monkey off our back , will the Aussies be as poor again in 4 years time?

Just settled down after getting home from the match but still got a headache. A game we could and should have won but for whatever reason we just can't get over the finishing line in these tight affairs.

Forgive me as I have not read all the previous posts but who gave away the penalty for the high tackle with one minute left? I am guessing from facial expressions George Burgess but I don't know? Was it high and worthy of a penalty.

To me there were many if and maybe's where we could have won but didn't.

Most dead atmosphere I've ever experienced in RL - until we got into the second half.

My take on big moments:

- I think about 24 minutes in and 6-0 up and in control against a then shaky looking NZ defence we opted to kick for goal. To me that's were the game was lost. I believe we should have maintained pressure and not send a signal out that we did not believe in our ability. Whovever made that decision should never be allowed near the international team again. Both me and my son were gutted with the decision.

- That was a turning point as we predicted. NZ then got the upper hand.

- Fair play to us though we got right back in it. Sadly we missed a kickable conversion that would have given us a 6 point lead and that proved critical.

- But where we lost it was not being able to kill the game when attacking with the 4 point lead. Those were the key few minutes of the 80 and once we failed to score I was never convinced we'd win. In sport you when its their for the taking top teams take it. We couldn't.

- Neverthless we still should have seen it out as things turned out but the high shot killed us.

- NZ set up that play with a run to the line under the posts, they bunched on the right but still got numbers on us on the left. I was shouting because I could see what was going to happen but the players misread it and we just had no one on the right side. Sinfield had to rush out but probably misjudged it - he needed to push the guy outwards to give cover time to get across. It came down to NZ playing old fashioned RL - with a deep attacking line which gave them room to move in.

I have to say we smashed them and should have won. They were struggling to get us from tackles near the end. Once again we lost it in our minds. The one big negative was trying to score on every play at times, which was not necessary and probably cost us the game.

On the plus Sam Burgess was the easiest choice for MOM this century. A colossus who should not have been on the losing side. Our one world class player. Over the tournament I would say Westwood has been a real star and a revelation. Graham had his usual good game. Thought Cudjoe had a shaky first half at times.

Overall a good close match, with lead changing. One were the team that should have won and should have won by at least 10 points lost though. Lots of small things contributed but that seems to be our perpetual way.

The Aussies will persuaded to take up Aussie nationality and play for them.

I'd agree the kicking was poor. On the few times Fiji kicked against Australia they found more space that we did.

Agree, I think the lure of SOO will be hard to resist for him. Hopefully it will never happen but part of me thinks it's inevitable, he clearly loves it over there.

I thought their was a new eligibility ruling for origin?

actually, Richie Barnett was full of nothing but praise and admiration for the Way England played the game.....the whole studio team breathed a massive sigh of relief at the end.

If England continue to improve as they have done since 2008, then in 2017 they will have a real shot at the title........it's a shame the final will be on at 3.30am in NZ and 1.30 am in Aussie this year...I doubt the final of 2017 will be anything other than an evening KO.

Not sure? I remember reading an interview with Sam last year and sure he said its something he'd definitely consider In the future.

Morley was close to agreeing to play for NSW whilst he was over there but pulled out when he realised it would mean changing allegiance to Aus IIRC?

Burgess won't give up on England, I'm sure of that.

www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/n ... 6662082051 Here it is

www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/n ... 6662082051 Here it is

Gutted, absolutely gutted. Sam Burgess is god, Sinfield was brilliant but missed a fairly easy kick. I don't blame him for the last tackle, the 3 all pushed up, the inside man - whoever he was - was lazy (too tired).

Was Burgess's lazy tackle a consequence of not using the 17th man, not outright but it certainly contributed. Cannot fathom why the hell Bananaman chose Ablett then didn't use him in a game he would have known would be draining physically & mentally.

Great game. haven't been so gutted since the Ricky Stuart last minute winner in 1990 at old Trafford. England deserved the win and everyone played their part.

It's easy to pick moments that changed the match and shortcomings in individual moments by individual players.

But in reality that was a superb team performance. Some had better games than others but that is always going to be the way in any team.

Sometimes luck is not on your side (all too often with England/GB RL)

All the players deserved their place and nine games out of ten that was an England win.

I think we should all sit back and congratulate the team rather than start a pathetic Sinfield got this wrong, Ferres had a bad game, tomkins was no good cr@p.