Didn't see that happen in the 2nd half at all, it got more back and forth as the 2nd half went on. It was only when the Aussies got that iffy penalty that England had to chase the game, whch was the only the last 3 minutes. Anyway if you think you're correct, it's hardly going to be helped with our best forward Sam burgess going off after 20 odd minutes is it and being a interchange player light. With the speed of the game that was always going to be hard to deal with and put extra pressure on the likes of Graham etc.

For me we just need a slight bit of tinkering with the side.We were far far better in the 2nd half but obviously need to to play a safer more structured game in the first 20 and then earn the right to play the more of the cuff stuff. Obviously we need to stop the silly passes when not needed as well. We also definitely need to tighten up in the middle of the park defensively, far too many missed.

With Sam being out, we need a big man who can make meters especially after contact, so I'd bring Walmsley in. Heighington shouldn't be in next game, play Bateman in the 2nd row, and Percival in the and you could play Roby the full 80 minutes for me, Hodgson was poor all around. Gale was poor and maybe let Williams have run against some of the other sides to see what he can do Keep Currie on the bench and maybe play Taylor off their as well if we go with an 80 minute hooker. Probabaly wouldn't need to tinker that much till we meet the next big team.

Thought Widdop was alright in the 2nd half , Sam was great while he was on. Roby was great when he came on and changed the feel of the game. Graham was a workshorse, Hill did OK and the wingers were especially excellent imo. Lomax wasn't good at all and Gale was hardly visible.

Only rugby league would have a 66% capacity for a WORLD CUP opening game. Every other sport in the world such as pole dancing, dog walking and snail racing would have got a full house. This just proves no one cares about rugby league

Regards

King James

Thought both of our centres and half backs were poor didn.t ask enough questions attacking the line, only McGilvray, Hall and Roby troubled the aussies. Thought Bennet got it wrong before kick off playing Bateman at centre and not selecting Walmsley in the team.
Nothing outstanding from the aussies just efficient and taking advantage of errors.

Agree with that, how about we pick our only other for the spot and for me Walmsley should be in every time. Just the kind of player to trouble sides, with his size and go forward, meters after impact etc. I mean seriously how much more difference it would of made if heighington wasn't playing and Walmsley was. It would have given us miles more go forward, taken the slack off Graham and Hill when Busgess got injured and I beliveve he'd have caused the Aussues some headaches

Walmsley was ill in the week, that's why he wasn't selected.

1. How in christ's name did they not fill that stadium?
2. The referee didn't win or lose the game...England lost it rather than Australia won it!
3. The Semi-final v NZ/Tonga will be the last game England play this comp unless they start to believe in themselves...they looked like rabbits in the headlights in the first half....
4. Australia will win this at a canter.....
5. How in christ's name did they not fill that stadium?

Been busy, I didn't know. Only just watched the repeat on Premier tbh.

Well all I said before but swap Walmsley for Taylor then this game

Sam Tomkins should be the full back.

I don't know but I agree it's a shame.

Thankfully they scheduled the game for a Friday morning in the UK so very few people here will see the embarrassingly poor crowd.

It does make me laugh though given how many times I've heard Aussies say that RL is so popular in OZ and how nobody cares about RU and the Wallabies. The Wallabies would probably get more than 22000 for a pool game against Namibia.

Just watching the highlights again. When Hodgson made that kick late on we surely had an overlap on the right wing. Widdop (think it was him) had done brilliantly to offload when surrounded by three or more Aussies. Was only 10-4 at that stage as well. Dammit. The Aussies had offered very little in that 2nd half. A score there and who knows what might have happened.

Namibia are probably deemed a higher class of opposition to the Wallabies than what your lot are to the Kangaroos, so blame yourselves

1, It was in Melbourne, the Rugby League season is over, there are much better things to do, your team & the fact they've been uncompetitive for about 40 years don't exactly inspire people to get along to international games do they?
2. No, Australia still won it, no matter how you look at it
3. yes
4. yes
5. see above