I thought we lost it when our defence tired, we missed some key tackles and our important forwards went off.

There's no doubt with Graham, Farrell and O'Loughlin playing/coming on that we would have had a bigger chance of getting the result. People like Ablett may have had a respectable season at club level but I just don't see them giving us that extra something at international level.

For me, people keep harking about Chase and speak like Widdop is some kind of saviour for one of Chase or Sinfield. The simple fact is that Widdop did very little whilst he was on the field and for me he's very much a support player and not a man you can rely on to take control. He'd probably just be same as one of Chase/Sinfield.

In the halves, if we want to have this discussion, Sinfield and Chase are very similar players in that both need to be in control of a game. Chase is wasted as second-receiver because it gives the opposition defence time to close him down. Ditto if Sinfield was out in the left centre/second row position.

There needs to be some fluidity in that if it's on one side of the pitch Sinfield takes control and ditto Chase on the other. Either that or one needs to play and the other not. Undeniably, though, it says it all when probably our best half is playing for Scotland in this tournament. Talking of Sinfield's kick for Cudjoe, I don't believe that it was planned; in fact, I think his kick had an air of luck about it and praise goes for Cudjoe for taking a punt and for challenging for it with 2/3 Aussies around it.

For me, the issue with Sinfield is that he's very consistent across his skill-set and a great leader. But I don't think he particularly stands out significantly in one area like other players do (i.e. Burrow is a great runner, McGuire great support player, Crabtree good offloading game, Brough excellent in-play kicking game and organiser). Is that a weakness I don't know? But with O'Loughlin and Burgess at 13, Roby at 9 the only place to put him is the halves; or you take the captaincy off him and clearly that isn't going to happen.

For next week, Sinfield has to play 13 and we need to let Chase control things. Playing O'Loughlin off bench will allow him a chance to get up-to-speed, get some match fitness and build for later in the tournament than throwing him in 80 minutes.

Away from the above argument, I thought Hill, George Burgess, Sam Burgess and Westwood all played good. Roby played well in patches but very much an inconsistent performance. We need to learn how to play for 80 mins and the simple fact is that we switched off for 20 minutes, whether through tiredness or complacency, and allowed Australia some encouragement and far, far too much space. Cannot loosen the rope around the neck.

Think right flank was quiet, though. Mossop didn't impress me and Ablett didn't do anything to make me think he'd be ahead of Ferres with Farrell's return hopefully next week.

On to next week and my line up would be:

Tomkins, Charnley, Watkins, Cudjoe, Hall, Widdop, Chase, Graham, Roby, G Burgess, Westwood, Burgess, Sinfield

Bench: O'Loughlin, Burrow, Hill, Farrell.

Gone with one prop because Burgess can fall into prop role for a bit with Farrell coming on.

Burgess will cop a ban for the high shot, so O'Loughlin to come straight in for him. Graham in for Tom B, George was a revelation. Definatley can see the impact he's had in terms if 1 years extra development down under. No matter who we stick at 6 and 7 for the next two games at halfback, we will win comfortably, but Sinfield Chase partnership is not goof enough versus the Kiwis in the semis. Chase needs to play 7 call the shots and be allowed creative freedom alongside Widdop. Both will run direct at the line and ask questions. It's plain and simple, it doesnt work as it is. Sinfield just gets in the way.

Plenty to work on, silly errors just before half time gave the Aussies a chance to get back into the match and they don't need another invitation.

Plus points for me were G.Burgess, Hill and Ferres in the forwards, The centres went well in defence.

Negatives for me were Mossop, T.Burgess, Westwood's penalties, the half back combo still doesn't look right.

I would be tempted to try Widdop from the off next week with Burrow on the bench. Graham & O'Loughlin in for Mossop & T.Burgess (Sam if he gets a game ban).

I always thought it would be a tight game, what with the Aussies not having a warm up game.

Good effort though, I thought Roby played well considering the amount of time he’s been out.

Once again, not respecting possession was a killer, along with some stupid penalties, the pick of the bunch being Ablett’s on Slater, did he think he was wearing an invisibility cloak?

I still don't think thre is a place for Sinfield in this side anymore. He doesn't have the pace to play in the halves and there's no point moving him to hooker because we have better hookers already in the squad. Even his goal kicking - one of the main reasons he's in the side - was not good enough today.
Picking Tom Burgess looks like a mistake to me, he's just not quite there yet and when you consider Crabtree was sat in the studio as a pundit, it makes even less sense.
Sam Burgess was poor today. Dropped balls, giving away pens for crossing and then the crucial missed tackle on Slater. He will also be picking up a ban for that stiff arm on Thaiday. A ref with more balls would have shown him a red card for that shot.

At this level teams should not be getting penalised for crossing, getting their defensive setup at a scrum all in a mess, and mouthing off to the ref to the point where we get marched back another 10. We made some really basic mistakes and these players should know better - you don't get away with it in SL and you won't get away with it here.

There were some promising moments but just as many frustrating ones as well.

Tompkins, Charnley, Watkins, Cudjoe, Hall, Widdop, Chase, Graham, Mcilorum, G Burgess, Westwood, Farrell, O'Loughlin. Roby, Hill, Mossop, Ferres.

Probably an indication that McNamara isn't unique in being an incompetent coach.... I always remember the amazement that Deryck Fox used to get chosen ahead of Gregory - If the internet was around back in those days, then Fox would have been ripped to pieces, because he was a pale shadow of Andy Gregory, yet somehow got in ahead of him.

If we are getting nostalgic, then can I throw John Woods and Tony Myler's names into the mix, because both were top class....Christ, we were spoiled back then, compared to the mediocrity we have in the side right now...

Nice rant.

You are Kevin Sinfield and I claim my £5...



I'd be inclined to reply sensibly if I could be bothered trying to win a dickswinging contest on an internet forum.

If Woods was playing in the present era, he would be a shoe-in for this England side..... Unfortunately though, this era is obsessed with set-plays and stifling natural talent, so Woods would be restricted to playing in a channel ( ) and would probably look ordinary.

Woods or Sinfield at stand off??....

You cannot play Westwood and McIlorum in the same team.
The problem England have in the halves is that you need to malgamate all the ability of Sinfield, Chase and Widdop into two players to get two decent halves out of them.

Brough would have been the better choice and would have complemented anyone of the other three.

Fair play to Crabtree for staying positive in the studio rather than saying how the fook did Tom Burgess get in before me.

Despite everything that is not a great Austrailian team and could have been beaten.

The difference was lack of concentration, some silly mistakes and penalties.

If that game had been played with Graham, O,Loughlin and Farrell instead of Tom Burgess, Westwood and Mossop England could have won.

John Woods NOT a good stand off........ you're clueless or myopic,
or both.

For me pluses were G Burgess, Roby, Ferris, Watkins Cudjoe, Hill and Hall.
Sam Burgess was ok, Tomkins was ok but I expected better, Sinfield was ok

Minuses were Westwood (penalty machine), Mossop and T Burgess (how did these two get in ahead of crabtree). Charnley was poor.

O'Loughlin and Graham need t be back in for Mossop and Westwood. Farrell for T Burgess. I would leave Ferres in the side. He played hard and clean which meant no pens.