TBF using already established pairings is the way to go. Smith despite his obvious polarising effects on other teams fans has formed a good solid halfback pairing with Williams this year in a pretty dominant team, he knows him inside and out, what he can / cant do and the confidence of playing at home, in front of his own crowd and a familiar playing partner really is the way forward, he will have more confidence in being vocal with Smith than perhaps being more timid around the NRL Superstar in Widdop perhaps being a little overawed by him and leaving a little more decision making to him than he probably should have.

Using tried and tested partnerships surley should be a no brainer.

same with Danny Brough in 2013, McNamara has previous in not selecting form players over his "club England" mates.

that's burrow isn't it?

Bateman has struggled which surprises me. I'd potentially move him in to the pack but I think I'd make a straight change for Cudjoe.

I wouldn't drop Burgess because there's not much any winger could do with so little ball. He could look to be a bit busier though.

It's tough to single anyone out as being poor after yesterday because they all were. I think in the main they should be given the opportunity to turn it round.

As a one-off for this Wigan Test, there is a case to be made for playing Smith and Williams together, just like there's an argument for playing Hall and Watkins together, and Bateman and Burgess. But really, it's a lot more about tactics and attitude than personnel. The Kiwis tightened up for the second game, and didn't drop the ball they ball they dropped in Game #1. So bashing it through the middle isn't going to give us the platform we need. Kicking game needs to be vastly improved. I don't recall anyone from either side even attempting a 40/20 during the whole game. England have match-winners out wide in Hall, Watkins, and Burgess. They need to get the best out of them.

Hardaker
McGilvary
Cudjoe
Watkins
Hall
Williams
Smith
Graham
Roby
Hill
Farrell
Bateman
O'Loughlin

Hodgson
T Burgess
Westwood
Ferres

With this being a decider I'd go for partnerships or atleast players together who know each other inside out. Cudjoe/McGilvary Watkins/Hall then a combination of Smith/Williams/O'Loughlin. Having Bateman more involved at SR will help to up the intensity, for Wigan on numerous occasions this year he has made multiple tackles on the spin. I'd play Westwood as a prop, his aggression paired with T Burgess size should hopefully bring an impact from the bench alongside Ferres who can hopefully replicate his impact in the first game. The other argument would be to start Ferres at Left SR alongside Cudjoe and McGilvary which would be fine by me also. If that was the case I'd drop Farrell completely as he isn't a bench player and would bring Cooper back in and use Westwood as bench SR.

"Burrows" is an enigma and not know to me, other than in a James Bond script.

Robert Burrow, by contrast is an experienced scrum half, just as Daniel McGuire is an experienced stand off. They have played together often.

Why on earth wasn't Percival selected? Has been an absolute class act all season in a side that has starved him of decent ball a natural centre if ever I've seen one. I have no doubt this kid would already be on a par with Watkins if playing in an expansive side ala Leeds.

Regardless of what 'the squad' is, we haven't picked our best team and that's why we've looked weak.

Hardaker
Hall
Watkins
Cudjoe
McGillvary
McGuire
Gale
Graham
Roby
Hill
Ferres
Farrell
O'Loughlin

Burrow
Burgess T
Cooper
Whitehead

He'd have been in my squad for sure. He's a class act and easily a better centre then Bateman or Cudjoe.

His time will come.

Why are people talking about established combinations and putting hall and watkins together?

I've never witnessed hall play outside of watkins at leeds, ever.

Don't be ridiculous.

God forbid there be a player as good as Leeds player!

Having re-watched it (this time n TV), the two changes most needed are Williams and Bateman to be replaced. Widdop was poor but he can play better. The other two are not up to it at present. Also, Liam Farrell is a liability on attack - he consistently makes wrong decisions but I guess he's in for other reasons.

Can't say I've seen much from Percival to suggest he's ready for internationals. He's shown some classy touches, and he's shown himself to have a lot of potential, but I can't say I've seen him put in many 80 minute displays.