He's right, you know, just like always.

I'm not as outraged as most with Joel's inclusion, and I'd rather persevere with him than chuck Whitehead in cold on debut in such an important game. He's not without his defensive frailties in Super League let's not forget.

I have to agree on the Joel Tomkins issue, Whitehead has had an absolutely brilliant season. I'd be dismayed if I was him.

I wouldn't change anything else to be honest.

Just imagine if Roby or McIllorum had been fit for this tournament, we'd have won comfortably on Sunday in my opinion. Hodgson just doesn't have what it takes at the moment.

I think the whole non neutral ref IS a farce

Obviously there is good old Aussie corruption here

However on the referees selected on face value as referees nothing else

Penanara is the worst by a mile I really think he is just not upto the right standard & Everytime England have had him he has been terrible, For me Sutton wasn't that bad last week (I wasn't happy he wasn't penalising Smith been taken out after every kick) but other than I didn't rate him as that bad. Video ref was the problem in that game.

Ive nothing really wrong with Bentham - He did the first game fine even the Aussie commentators were praising him for most of it. Ive nothing against bentham

But not have neutral referees is a joke end of

yep hodgson has been a disappointment really, doesnt look upto this level

There are a shed load of journalists & comentators who would dissagree with that statement, but more important the man who matters & picks the side.

I would drop Widdop and Smith and bring in Richard Silverwood, and Ben Thaler. The trio of Bentham, Silverwood and Thaler could do some real damage to the Kiwis in the middle of the park.

Absolutely outrageous that England have an English referee appointed for their crucial game against NZ at the weekend.

Matters of principle in international RL often find an escape route which is usually out of the nearest window.

Neutral English refs by plenty!

......if Bentham doesn't give England at least 1 penalty in the second half and I mean without going upstairs to get clarification, but actually blows the whistle, then this forum may well internally combust (sic)......Watching moderators go toe to toe after last weekend was like clash of the titans

Nonsense ref choice again.

As for the team, I hope Burgess is in for Charnley, who doesn't offer enough, and Whitehead for one of Ferres/Farrell/Tomkins - don't care which, they've all been poor in both games. Really pushing the boat out I'd move Tomkins to 7 and bring in Hardaker, but I can't see that happening at this stage.

No dramas from the Kiwi camp regarding the ref.......suppose that might change of Bentham has a mare. TBF, he looked the most accomplished ref in the first weeks games and I doubt he'll "favour" anyone.
Kiwi Press more interested in the permutations and the weather......which is odd because it's an indoor stadium?
rlhttps://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id
rlhttps://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/10705033/England-more-at-home-in-Dunedin-than-Kiwisrl

Liam Farrell's done well in my opinion - finds his front a fair amount in attack which has led to Clark running from dummy half on numerous occasions, putting us on the front foot. Reliable in defence as well. Ferres hasn't impressed me unfortunately, which is disappointing considering how well he did in the world cup last year. Whitehead should come in for Tomkins having said that.

The other changes I'd make would be Joe Burgess in for Charnley who I think has looked very average. I'd also consider starting Clark and putting Ratchford on the bench in place of Hodgson. Could have Ratchford and Tomkins floating around the PTB whilst Clark's off.

As much as I'd like to see Hardaker playing at this level, I think it would cause too much disruption to our attacking structure (which I think is looking quite good) changing the halves now.

I'd expect 1 or 2 changes to the 17 come Saturday, but I'd go with:

Tomkins
Hall
Watkins
Sarginson
J. Burgess
Widdop
Smith
Hill
Clark
Graham
Farrell
Ferres
O'Loughlin

Ratchford
G. Burgess
T. Burgess
Whitehead

England have got Bentham purely so that the Aussies another homer. If England beat NZ by 10 points or more the Aussie ref in my opinion will make sure that Australia win by the required amount to get to the final.
The victim in all of this is the credibility of International Rugby League.

England v Australia final with an Aussie ref......that'll pack the cake tin

I think that they have landed Bentham in a no win situation and have again got their own way.

No matter what goes on this ref cannot come out of it smiling. NZ win and England fans will find something to criticise him for, should there be a cliffhanger situation in comparison to last weeks, he will be vilified if he goes to the VR or not.

Should England get the rub of the green (god forbid) he will get the bird from the Kiwi fans and the Aussies also, I don't doubt. Possibly being consigned to rep wilderness thereafter.

Personally I think it is despicable what the authorities have done here as if Bentham is good enough for this game and Peranara for the Oz Samoa match, why were they not considered last week so providing neutral refs for both games.
There can be no excuse for that and it bloody well stinks. Yet again the English staff have been outplayed by those from the S/Hemi.