| FORUMS > The Virtual Terrace > England 24-man Squad |
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| International Star | 1867 | No
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| Feb 2011 | 14 years | |
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| Quote: BrisbaneRhino "Farrell was garbage last year for England, as was Joel Tomkins. Our backrow as a unit was incredibly poor compared to Aus/NZ. Farrell I think is just too small for internationals.
As for Sam. Someone asked if anybody had watched him play this year - well I have and he has been hugely disappointing. Last year he looked very good in spells and like a lot of people I hoped he'd improve. As it was he went backwards at a rate of knots. He should be in the team because he's got skills in creating space that nobody else has, but to claim he's been anywhere near Hardaker as a full back THIS year is ridiculous.
In terms of Smith, I don't have a problem if Gale is given first shot. That means you have somebody around who at least has some experience at 7 for England. I'd rather that than two complete tyros.'"
I thought Farrell did OK, but agree Joel Tomkins was poor. Probably due to just having returned from playing union.
This season though i think Joel Tomkins has done very well. |
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| International Star | 1440 | No
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| Feb 2014 | 11 years | |
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| Aug 2016 | Aug 2016 | LINK |
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| Quote: ToffeeLady "It's beyond belief that some of you are saying Farrell shouldn't be in the team. I'm not sure what more he could do to prove how good he is, his defence is second to none, he makes more breaks than any other second rower I can think of, his footwork is brilliant, he can kick if needed and his passing is very good. The amount of tries he scores and sets up is pretty outstanding for a second rower. He was the best forward on the field last night.
With regards to Smith, I really wish McNamara didn't pick him. He's not had a good enough season and I think this is the worst thing for him, it's not like we're devoid of halfbacks this season. Last night will have done his confidence some damage and if he gets picked for England he'll only get more abuse. I'd like to see Williams/Gale then Widdop/Gale and as much as I want the team to move forward I think Danny McGuire is unlucky not to be included.
Disappointed Walmsley won't be playing, think he'd have made a serious impression against the kiwi props.
One last point about Tomkins, how many of you actually watch New Zealand Warriors games? Because if you did you'd see that he's been far from poor. He's been injured for a lot of the season so hasn't really stood out. The team he's playing in are not very good at all, Johnson never wants to pass for one. The games he has played in he has played well, his first two games this season he was their best player and the NZW fans all thought they were a much better team with him on the pitch.
No he's not has a good a season as Hardaker but he's playing in a poop team in a harder competition having been injured. Tomkins is a once in a generation kind of player. Hardaker is a better defender but if the side is good enough then your fullback shouldn't be getting tested all that often in defence. Tomkins attack is better in every aspect of the game.
Hardaker may deserve to play this season but to suggest he's a better player than Tomkins is ridiculous. The international team needs to have a core of senior players and Tomkins is one of those.'"
It's one thing for me. He lies on and has second bites all the time, he's one of the most penalised players in SL where i think he gets away with a lot, at International level with Aussie refs he'll be pinged for everything.
I think he's a good player other than that. Fast runner, good passer, excellent defender...penalty machine. |
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| Rank | Posts | Team |
| International Star | 1867 | No
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| Feb 2011 | 14 years | |
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| Nov 2024 | Nov 2024 | LINK |
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| Quote: BuckleyStreetWire "It's one thing for me. He lies on and has second bites all the time, he's one of the most penalised players in SL where i think he gets away with a lot, at International level with Aussie refs he'll be pinged for everything.
I think he's a good player other than that. Fast runner, good passer, excellent defender...penalty machine.'"
We only appear to have Aussie refs when we play the Aussies. Funny that. |
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| Player Coach | 6809 |  |
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| Oct 2005 | 19 years | |
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| Mar 2023 | Jan 2020 | LINK |
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Picking Matthew Smith ahead of Daniel McGuire is a scandal of the highest proportions. I am compelled to ask: "Did McNamara watch many Super League games this year, or is he just plain incompetent?"
If Matthew Smith is picked as Test scrum half then the series is lost for England.
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| International Star | 1867 | No
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| Feb 2011 | 14 years | |
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| Quote: JEAN CAPDOUZE "Picking Matthew Smith ahead of Daniel McGuire is a scandal of the highest proportions. I am compelled to ask
If Hardaker is fit Tomkins will start at scrum half.
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| Player Coach | 6809 | |
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| Oct 2005 | 19 years | |
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| Quote: Huddersfield1895 "If Hardaker is fit Tomkins will start at scrum half.'"
How can you be so sure when the coach has incomprehensibly picked Matthew Smith ahead of Daniel McGuire for the squad? |
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| International Star | 1867 | No
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| Feb 2011 | 14 years | |
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| Quote: JEAN CAPDOUZE "How can you be so sure when the coach has incomprehensibly picked Matthew Smith ahead of Daniel McGuire for the squad?'"
Because i know these things  |
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| International Star | 6848 | No
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| Jul 2012 | 12 years | |
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| Quote: JEAN CAPDOUZE "Picking Matthew Smith ahead of Daniel McGuire is a scandal of the highest proportions. I am compelled to ask
He was at the GF! what more evidence does he need to see who is the better option currently?
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| Player Coach | 2024 | No
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| Sep 2009 | 15 years | |
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| Quote: JEAN CAPDOUZE "Picking Matthew Smith ahead of Daniel McGuire is a scandal of the highest proportions. I am compelled to ask
Well that's such a disappointing post Jean, as I'm still left to wonder whether (Steve) McNamara is a Stephen or a Steven.
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| Player Coach | 15511 |  |
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| Feb 2009 | 16 years | |
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| Jun 2020 | Sep 2019 | LINK |
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| Quote: tigertot "Bateman, Wardle, Ablett, Whitehead, Tomkins, from eligible players all make more, not that I am suggesting they should all be in the squad. Farrell is a cracking SL player but not big enough for international.'"
think wardle is going in for a pre season op
will we see ferres play at hooker again?  |
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| Rank | Posts | Team |
| International Star | 704 | No
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| May 2011 | 13 years | |
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| Jan 2024 | Oct 2022 | LINK |
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| Quote: brearley84 "think wardle is going in for a pre season op
will we see ferres play at hooker again? ![]()
Scottish anyway isn't he?
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| Player Coach | 15511 | |
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| Feb 2009 | 16 years | |
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| Quote: SecondRowSaint "Scottish anyway isn't he?'"
ha well was expecting him to be picked by scotland but when he wasnt i thought it was because an england call was on its way but he must have pulled out of scotland squad due to an op |
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| International Star | 132 | No
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| Apr 2015 | 10 years | |
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| After listening to McNamara's interview and looking at his squad selection I can see him going with:
Tomkins, Hall, Hardaker, Watkins, Burgess, Widdop, Smith, Graham, Roby, Hill, Farrell, Westwood, O'Loughlin (c) BENCH: Hodgson, Cooper, Burgess, Bateman
Not the team or squad most would have gone for. Being honest, after the squad selection I'm not as excited about this tour as I previously was. SM spoke about Tomkins and Hardaker being able to play in different positions, as he's picked 4 halves I can't see him playing Tomkins there and I can't see him not playing Tomkins so I expect to see Hardaker at Centre. He spoke about the understanding Smith and Widdop had developed which is why I think he'll put them in the halves. Only 4 props in the squad  suggests they'll all play. |
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| International Star | 4786 |  |
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| Jan 2015 | 10 years | |
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| Yeah, I couldn't help nodding away sadly reading that. 
Featuring George Williams as Theo Walcott... |
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| Player Coach | 2088 | No
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| May 2007 | 18 years | |
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| Quote: South Coast RL "After listening to McNamara's interview and looking at his squad selection I can see him going with:
Tomkins, Hall, Hardaker, Watkins, Burgess, Widdop, Smith, Graham, Roby, Hill, Farrell, Westwood, O'Loughlin (c) BENCH: Hodgson, Cooper, Burgess, Bateman
Not the team or squad most would have gone for. Being honest, after the squad selection I'm not as excited about this tour as I previously was. SM spoke about Tomkins and Hardaker being able to play in different positions, as he's picked 4 halves I can't see him playing Tomkins there and I can't see him not playing Tomkins so I expect to see Hardaker at Centre. He spoke about the understanding Smith and Widdop had developed which is why I think he'll put them in the halves. Only 4 props in the squad ![]()
Sounds like McNamara's bottled it. There's better Centres about than Hardaker. He should be first choice Fullback. There's no better one-on-one tackler in broken play or anybody safer when fielding kicks.
He should be picked at 1 or not at all, unless he was considered for a wing spot.
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