Agreed. Yes he might struggle to stop SBW close to our line, who will stop him on his own. Burrow is our best tackler and could be the game changer we badly need.

Surely you mean the most over rated player in SL? He's hopelessly outclassed at this level

Clearly not. The guy is a huge part of our team and can console himself after any criticism he gets by having a look at all his winners medals. These are medals he played a huge part in winning as well. He's a terrific player as everyone at Wigan knows.

He's going through what Sean O'Loughlin went through a few years back where people who see him in 20 minute bursts decide to criticise him. Like Lockers he's good enough to prove people wrong given the chance.

I haven't read through all the pages but I would say neither. Play Roby for 80 minutes, he can handle the work load and if there is an injury Sinfield can cover. Two props and two back rowers on the bench. Ablett can cover the backs if required

If I had to choose between Roby starting and Burrow from the bench or McIloram starting and Roby from the bench, I would go with the former

Way off topic. But wasn't it Craig Bellamy who gave Widdop his debut at Melbourne? I'll believe his view of the "hype" thanks

I don't think you can compare an NRL coach trying to build a first grade squad under a salary cap limit to an international squad. I also expect Bellamy didn't choose to lose Inglis from the Storm and you can't put his exit down to the coach not rating him

I'd use Roby for 80 minutes and go big on the bench. There doesn't need to be a hooker or half on the bench for the sake of it. We know the Chase and Sinfield partnership isn't working but a semi-final against NZ isn't the time to start trying new combinations, that should have already happened against Ireland and Fiji, but didn't. Bringing Widdop or Burrow on off the bench isn't going to all of sudden swing things in our favour, we need the combinations to be working for 80 minutes, not start disrupting things by moving players around in the key positions.

My line-up versus NZ would be:

Tomkins
Charnley
Watkins
Cudjoe
Hall
Chase
Sinfield
Hill
Roby
Graham
S Burgess
Ferres
O'Loughlin

Westwood
G Burgess
Mossop/T Burgess
Ablett

Farrell isn't an impact player and Ablett offers cover if there are injuries in the backs, so I've given him the last bench spot.

No but he kept last season best SL stand off Brett Finch out of the side. I'd also say the fact St George have spent a huge sum on Widdop would suggest he is highly thought of down there.

I would play Roby for the first 30 mins in the first half and the last 30 mins in the second half. Burrow to give the run around in those last tiring minutes in the first half, also if Chase is incapable of getting in the game and becomes a passenger we have the option of subbing him with Burrow.
For me Mcllorum is too slow on distribution when trying to get the ball out wide, he doesn't have the variation and vision of Roby or the sudden injection of pace as Burrow. McLlorum is a very good player when playing to a structure like the Wigan side, but he needs to be more quick thinking to create offensive options, I don't think he can do that at this world cup level.

Now that's a fair summary rather then some if the drivel I've read previously.

Let's attack and chance our arm. Roby and Burrow are the men for that job without a doubt.

He could compare them with Ryan Bailey's superior haul.

Kapowwww.

That will stump him. I bet he moans about Bailey each week, yet uses this argument as proof of something.

McIlorum has quick distribution to Green/Smith at first and second receiver at Wigan. They know his game and he knows theirs.
It isn't working at Intl level as Sinfield isn't a 7 and Chase is out of his depth.
McNamara hasn't a clue how to play Mcilorum, not Widdop probably either.
I just think that a top quality coach could get the best out of both McIlorum and Widdop. Sadly McNamara isn't a top quality coach.

I think it was McIlorum's distribution to his forwards that was the problem rather than his first receiver, they seemed to be expecting the ball one stride earlier and the timing was out. looked much slicker with Roby at dummy half. I think this is because he tends to stand first then look to distribute rather than one action. This may be ok at Wigan where his forwards can adjust to the timing but mid game it is very difficult

I dont think it is anything to do with the coach

But weren't England at their worst on Saturday for most of the second half when Roby was hooker. What about his pass that was almost intercepted and the terrible pass that Chase had to pick up off his toes (Charnleys second try)

And if McIlorums passing is so bad how come Wigan backs score more tries than any other team?

Did anyone read Gary Schofields assessment in todays League Express?