Halves are definitely the problem, clubs just haven't developed and persevered enough with producing their own. Neither Hull FC and Hull KR for example will have Englishman at 6 or 7 next season.

The problem we'll always have though is the Aussies will simply produce another batch of superstars to replace these guys. It's long been the case from when I started watching rugby league and they had the likes of Meninga, Langer and Lazarus and since then it's just been a production line of world class talent from Daley to Fittler to Barrett to Lockyer to Thurston, From Meninga to Renouf to Gasnier to Inglis and so on and that will continue.

All we can do is try to be the best we can be. I believe we're heading in a good direction but any win over them will always be more shock then expected.

I think we are so far behind the Aussies as we try to play the game they play. The 5 big forwards and organised to the point of rigid attack structure. We were closer when we just played, just went at them and played what was infront of them. We have talent, Graham, Burgess, Morley and Ellis have gone over there and shone in their competition, I've no doubt Tomkins and Hall would get in the majority of teams.

For me, pick a spine 1, 6, 7, 9 and 13 that can play, and stick with it. It will smooth out over games together. Tomkins, Chase, Myler, Roby and Sinfield for me, with the big men in the middle that always do the job, add in the flurry of young talented back and we have a team. It may take a few games to get things working well, but that is why we have 'nothing' games like the two this year and the mid year games

RE: Hull KR - can't Dobson play 7 for England?

I think there's a plethora of talent coming through in the backs.

BTW - Sinfield should NOT play at loose. He is an out and out stand-off. Don't be fooled by his jersey number at Leeds, he has barely played there for years.

Widdop should be one of the first players picked.......

He wasn't exposed in the WCC.

But how can he, if he is not playing regular for Melbourne, as it looks as though it will be Finch and Cronk at 6 and 7 in 2013. I agree he's a great player, but gets pushed out of the way in such a star studded team.

Pretty sure finch is being used for cover during origin and for back up and mentoring. I doubt widdop will be replaced and even if he did he is still the best player we have for the job.

Therin lies the problem. Widdop is a good player but still some way behind the Aussie halves.
If the SL clubs keep on bringing Aussies over to play 6 & 7, then we will never develop our own players.
If the sport at national level is deemed to be important, we be better off having some kind of embago on Aussie players
and force our owm to play every week.
Ok, in the short term standards would drop but, if we are patient and employ decent coaches, we would make progress.
The problem is, just like in the round ball game, club sport has a much higher priority than the national game, which is one
of the reasons that there is so much apathy from the fans.

1. Tomkins
2. Hall
3. Reed
4. Hardaker
5. Charnley
6. Sinfield
7. Widdop
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. S Burgess
11. Westwood
12. Hock
13. Ellis

14. O'Loughlin
15. Crabtree
16. Hill
17. Houghton

That's not a bad side. Will it beat the Aussies? I doubt it. But will it rival the Aussies/Kiwis? Should do!

1. Tomkins
2. Briscoe
3. Watkins
4. Atkins
5. Hall
6. Chase
7. Myler
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. S. Burgess
11. Westwood
12. Hock
13. Sinfield

14. Burrow
15. Ellis
16. Hill
17. Carvell

Pace and creative backs, with a bit of grunt upfront. Burrow is the second best hooker we have at the moment, but I'm excited of the prospect of Daryl Clarke. Looks the real deal to me... fingers crossed he steps up.

I dont think the halves are our only problem. Anyone who believes Atkins & Watkins are the answer at Centre must be in cloud cuckoo land. The lack of depth at centre is worrying.

1 Hardaker
2 Charnley
3 Ellis
4 Atkins (alternative suggestions welcomed)
5 Briscoe/Hall
6 Tomkins
7 Widdop
8 Graham
9 Roby
10 Burgess (S)
11 Hock
12 Westwood
13 Sinfield

14 Lockers
15 Houghton
16 Carvell/Morley
17 Hill/Crabtree

Reed has to be a certainty for centre ahead of both watkins and atkins. He does it week in week out against the aussies.

Is he that good though? Seems to be 'steady' at Brisbane, but I've never sat up with excitement when he gets the ball. To be fair though, had a good series last year.

Finch is a back up, no way he will be in front of Widdop, don't really know why the Storm have signed him to be honest, the price must have been right.