'"

It's funny how lots of people think Lockers is overrated. Apart from the England coaches that is.

What would they know compared to all the experts on here.

When I used this ' GB coach selection' argument to support Jon Clarke there were not many takers...................

Not sure where the 'niggle' description come from. I think you need to move on from the O'Loughlin of 5 years ago to the O'Loughlin of today, a very hard-working, devastating tackler with a great pair of hands and a good kicking game when required.

O'Loughlin isn't a Hanley or Reilly. But he's still a fantastic player and he's probably been the first name on Maguire's teamsheet every week.

Anyone who doesn't think he's a big loss to England either doesn't watch much RL, or doesn't understand it.

He might not be an all time great but he is miles better than anything else weve got.

So because people didn't like your argument then, you've decided to do an about turn and use the argument people used against you?

He is very average and a head hunter
Hardly a great combo.
If he is missed then England are in bigger trouble than I thought.

Your first point answers itself. Your second point is nonsense - I've seen as much RL as virtually anyone on these boards (although admittedly only ever played it at a very lowly second-team grade amateur level ) and understand it as well as most.

Whilst you are entitled to your opinion, the fact that he is the only British player currently playing who has won a man of the series at International level rather disproves your theory.

O'Loughlin is the best we have for a 13 at International level.
Trouble is our player pool is too small hence we bring in foreign born players.
Lockers out and on here it's Heighington.
Widdop may play or may not, if not then Chase will come in.
At least Reed and Widdop were born here.

One out of the back door for selection in the pack, Gareth Hock.
If brought into the squad will have to sit out one game due to the ban.
He's big, powerful, pacey, skillful and physical enough to take on the Aussies.
If he was selected he'd be the most skillful player in the pack.
Anyone with any thoughts on the possible selection of Gaz Hock?

OR they just dont rate him as highly as you..... and probably see sinfield as a better 13 anyway.

I thought when he returned from his lengthy ban, Hock could be a bolter for the England team in the 4N’s – for exactly the reasons you state, he is big, strong, a good runner and skilful

But even before his latest ban, I don’t think he did enough to earn a call up – he showed glimpses of good form but for me his defence was quite a bit away from where it should have been. I think he would have been shown up internationally this Autumn. That’s not to suggest he wouldn’t be worth a shout at the end of a full SL season (if he manages to stay away from the beaks)

p.s. agree that O’Loughlin is the best option we have at 13 – he is very well suited to play internationally where he has more size and strength than Sinfield etc but he has been very unlucky with the timings of injury and not has a chance to demonstrate this as much as we would have hoped