He should be the captain 100%. No matter how good a leader O'Loughlin is, he is injured more often than not.

Great Britain/England have had the best pack in international Rugby for the last 10 to 15 years, unfortunately we've had dross halfbacks who couldn't steer that pack around the field. Our forwards have had to do it tough, coming out of their own 20 over and over because we had an ineffective kicking game.

On the other hand, Australia had a very good pack which overcame their handicap because they had world class halfbacks putting them through holes, getting them on the front foot and gaining great field position from a superb kicking game.

No question he's got to be the new England captain, I love his passion when he's out on the field, just as long as he can control it.

Watching Canterbury vs. Manly in the finals, he was absolutely outstanding, certainly got to be up there with the best in the world at the moment.

Seriously?? Gould??

You can tell in his commentaries that "Rabs" thinks he talks nonsense!!

Even one of the "Footy show" panel called him a Dxxxxxxd earlier this season!

I don't like Phil Gould 'the man' but I enjoy listening to his commentaries, as for Rabs
Thinking Gould talks nonsense, in terms of knowledge Gould is near the top of the food chain while Rabs is a mouse. No one on the footy show has more knowledge of the game than Gould and most have significantly less.

Don't know if anyone else noticed but straight after the bulldogs won in golden point, every dogs player was going wild, except James Graham who was the first one over to shake the manly players hands, class.

Anyone see the chase back to save a try? That's what makes him world class.
He does his own job and then a bit of half back and a bit of three quarter

He’s playing superbly at the moment. I loved how he went to dummy half at the end to make sure Hodkinson got a decent pass for his golden point drop goal. He takes responsibility without fear. Definitely should be England captain.

He'd definitely be the most influential captain of the national team since Brian Carney.

Tremendous praise for James Graham by Canterbury legend Steven Mortimer in Australia's most prestigious newspaper, The Australian: www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/n ... 7067057072

Tremendous praise for James Graham by Canterbury legend Steven Mortimer in Australia's most prestigious newspaper, The Australian: www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/n ... 7067057072

well jean i find it suspicious that you have a paid account with an australian news paper, what would a french man need with one of those?

[sizeJames Graham the force behind Bulldogs’ charge[/size

THE AUSTRALIAN SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 12Brent Read

Senior Sports Writer
Sydney

[sizeCanterbury’s James Graham has been the glue in what had been a battling Bulldogs side[/size.


EVERYONE saw the hard edge to Canterbury prop James Graham as he berated his teammates during his side’s thrilling win over Manly last Saturday night. Allow former Bulldogs captain Steve Mortimer to shed some light on the softer side of the England international.

“(Former Canterbury fullback) Greg Brentnall told me about this young girl who had cancer in St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney,” Mortimer said.

“I said to James, ‘Could you give me some time’. He said no worries. I took him in there. He met the young girl and did everything I asked of him.

“He is just a champion, not only on the field but off it as well. He was as happy as anything to come along with me and cheer up the girl.

“I can’t rap him enough. He is not just a footballer, he is a leader. Off the football field he is a totally different human being — he is nice and kind and soft.

“On the football field, he ain’t that. I am proud of him. I really rate him up there with the best. He is a class act. I think the world of him.”

Graham has been a model of consistency in a Bulldogs side that has blown hot-and-cold during the latter stages of the season.

Of all the Canterbury players, the Englishman has managed to maintain his lofty standards as all around him have slipped.

Once again, he shapes as a pivotal figure as the Bulldogs attempt to force their way into the grand final with a win over Penrith at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

Next season, his importance to the team could result in him being handed higher honours.

As the Bulldogs prepare for the departure of captain Michael Ennis at the end of the season, Graham — a former England captain — could barely have done more to push his claims to wear the armband.

He heads a list of candidates that also includes current co-­captain Frank Pritchard and Josh Jackson.

“It would not surprise me,” Mortimer said.

“He is definitely captaincy ­material. He would be most ­worthy.

“He is the best I have seen at gaining yards. It drives the likes of Aiden Tolman, David Klemmer, Josh Jackson.

“He definitely is a leader. His toughness reminds me of when I was a kid and I first came down to Canterbury (and I played against) guys like John O’Neill, Terry Randall and Arthur Beetson.

“He is one of them.”

You don't always need a subscription, they're unlocked if you go through Google News: www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... gUCBZMaB1w

You don't always need a subscription, they're unlocked if you go through Google News: www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... gUCBZMaB1w

Do you also find it suspicious that I have a paid account with The New York Times and The Economist?

I am a cosmopolitan. You must have run into one or two of those in Dubai, surely?