if we play NZ in the final then yes we can win it....

If we get to the final it will be a real big ask beating either. Nz are far improved team who are fitter and more disciplined than ever before. The athletic freaks they have brought through now have the guidance and leadership of the likes of Fien, Foran, Marhall and Johnson. We may have done well agaist them over here in the past, but now it is a totally different score with them.

lol since when did nathan fien become a world beater?

foran,if he plays at all, is likely to be shoved in to the ...cos like australia NZ have injuries in the 3/4's too....

johnson,while a great looking talent....he only made his 1st grade debut in june....so to already pin him up there is ridiculous

and i'll grant you benji though.....

look...the kiwis don't travel well...never have...plus a 1/4 of the squad have never played test RL before....nothing about this kiwis squad is telling me they are going to reverse their absolute dire record up here....but as is the way with the jakyall & hyde kiwis...they'll probably beat the aussies........and lose to us in hull

and don't get me started on the aussie squad

I think you underestimate Fiens influence on this team. Whether he plays at 9 or 7 he guides the team around the park brilliantly and has been the glue that holds everything together for NZ. In the past when NZ have had injuries to either Jones or Marshall they have really struggled to find a replacement. Now they have Fien plus 2 top young halves in Foran and Johnson. You keep going on about how well we have done against them over here in the past, but this is a different team, that look to have a better attiude and outlook. England have a better and improved squad but so do the other 2.

Are we talking about the same England, the one that got beat by a bunch of overseas has beens and never will be's on home soil ?

Cloud cookoo land...

As always with England we may compete with them in the forwards but we can never compete in the backs. Our halves will never compete against the Aussies IMO.

FYI Reed was selected in Big League Week (I think) as one of the top two centres in the NRL this year.

Australia look strong enough in most areas, but if Inglis is unfit they look a bit weak in the centres (still good players but not the very best). Having said that, I doubt we'll beat them. What I want to see is us being competitive for a full 80 minutes, not hanging in there for 60 minutes then falling apart.

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Catch them while you can.

I don't think so, Australia to beat the Kiwis in the final by a few.

I wouldn't mind if England won either as long as its a good game and the best team on the day wins.
Its only a game at the end of the day, this should be England's best chance in ages.
Locky is a shadow of himself, weak in the Centres, big chance for England but somehow I doubt they will take it, they crap themselves in the big games and when defences don't just open up they run out of ideas.

In the last couple of years the thing that always seems noticeable about England's game is..
Really poor kicking game.
Poor team selections with players out of their usual positions.
Inability to read attacking moves and defend against simple plays.
Last but not least, really poor general skills whether that is passing in either direction or even catching the ball, some games has seen mistakes that School kids would not make.

Good on ya Jonesy


However



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Gutted that Shaun Johnson is out. Was looking forward to seeing him!!

also matai & Vatuvai now too for NZ and inglis,dave taylor (for the newcastle test) & brett stewart (tour) for australia


don't buy into the myth the the kiwis now have loads of depth.....this squad is now akin to the 2007 that got hammered 3-0

Not a bad result for Australia that both the Stewarts are out.
It brings in a Second Rower that is as good at centre (Scott) and a dedicated Centre in Tonga.
Better balance all round.

The way its going its opening up for England to beat depleted squads....



England has face bum teams from Australia before, was it 2003?

Still found a way to lose.