I just don't think we have enough in attack to beat Australia, Gale was better in the 2nd half, and Widdop is quality, but I'd like to see more from our back rowers in terms of getting the ball wide. Whitehead was excellent overall though

The question is whether or not it was a ball strip, not what happened afterwards. Anyway, the bottom line is that were in the final.

Tbf to Wilkin he has played for Saints during a period when they would get decisions like that.

Should have gone to the VR, but in IMO it was an 80-20 call in England's favour.

Still, a chance for England to win a first RL World Cup, and for a team from these shores to win in a final since 1954 (taking nothing away from the table toppers of 1960 or the draw-win in 1972). A slim chance, but even so.

Do speak English old chap!!!



I like to see if England can do their part to rejuvenate international RL, it appears not, lucky we have State of origin

The ref didn't have to make a call, it was play on regardless.

International rugby league has been rejuvenated due to Australia not being able to produce enough players to fill a league therefore have had to draft in Pacific Islanders and Englishmen to make up the numbers but who have now become stars of the game so have made International RL more competitive than previously

Erm, I believe England lead from the 10th minute to the final hooter so how did they blow a "winning lead"? It's knockout football so it doesn't matter how many they concede as long as they score more - which they did!

I think an Aussie ref would have said loose carry (as Ceccin did), but an English ref would have given it as a strip. In SL, that would have been given as a try every time.

Thank Christ Ceccin didn't go to the screen, where Thaler would have awarded that.

Ask Wigan about that one.

It would have gone up as no try and Thaler would have an easier decision to make without evidence to overturn it.

Well it's all yesterday's chip paper now. When it happened, my first reaction was it was a knock on, and I breathed for the first time in about 60 seconds. Then I saw it on the replay and offered several prayers to a God I don't believe in that Ceccin didn't go to the screen.

I was slightly disappointed with the English players' interviews afterwards. They were doing the faux confidence thing. What I expected to see was anger. If my amateur team had collapsed like that near the end of a match I was playing in, I would have been furious with myself, with my teammates. I'd have been kicking cats that we almost blew a 20-0 lead in ten minutes. I'll bet that Aussies wouldn't have been congratulating themselves in similar circumstances.

Yes the state of origin the most overrated competition ever very stale and boring now nothing like it was 20 years ago when you could call it something special

Isn't SoO a predominately one sided competition too? Why would you bother, same team has won it 11 times out of the last 12. You'd probably just watch the cricket and get the result 'on the news', like any sane daft condescending pr ick would.

wow!! thought we were home and hosed after the 70mins... very worried at the end!!!!

we were great the first 30mins, high completion rate and defence was on top but fell away abit from that and our kicking game leaves alot to be desired.

but we are in the final !!!!! that was the aim for me of this tournament .. at least we have a chance to win it now albeit very small

the travelling the team have had to do will be taking its toll now, one side of oz to the other and then auckland on top!