Brough & Chase did what's best for them to play in this World Cup. I'm sure Rangi wishes he was playing in a black jersey next weekend but he knew is wasn't going to happen, England is his plan B, same with Brough and Scotland.

To be fair, do you really think the Aussies or Kiwis will fear Sinfield or Chase?

Brough wouldn't have beaten NZ or OZ on his own. But I personally feel he would have made our team a lot better. Him and Sinfield sharing the kicking duties would have givin us a real weapon. Chase's club foot kicking will hurt us against the big boys. Why I hope Sinfield doesn't let him kick on Saturday.

The last time New Zealand faced them as a half back pair they lost 28-6 so I would have thought so yes

Two years a go. This is a World Cup which they are the defending champions. Different circumstances. I doubt they will fear them. Respect yes. Fear no. They won't fear Cronk, Thurston, Inglis etc.

Well now I'm confused. You brought the word fear into the conversation by saying the aussies or kiwis wouldn't fear Chase or Sinfield and yet now you say New Zealand won't fear anyone which makes the original point moot, we could list thousands of players they won't fear if they don't fear anyone

brough didnt choose, he was asked by scotland. seeing as he wasnt going to be asked by mcnamara, why not? too good a player not to be involved in a world cup.

If you bothered to read my post i was quoting Christopher who originally said the Aussies wouldn't fear Brough.

He didn't say that, he said worry, you introduced and then dismissed the use of the word fear

OK fair enough i genuinely thought he said fear. My mistake.

Either way i still don't think they will worry about Chase or Sinfield. The only thing the kiwis will be concentrating on is winding him up, he needs to rise above it and concentrate on the team. He was so petulant on Saturday, slapping peoples heads into the ground, trying to start a fight, if that's what he's like when we're winning comfortably whats he going to be like when things aren't going our way and he is been sledged by the kiwis?

OK.

Anyway, as you say, back to the point. I must admit with all the talk about McNamara not knowing his best half backs etc I was surprised to see that the English halves for our last game against New Zealand in 2011 were Chase and Sinfield, a game we won 28-6. What is clear is that McNamara has been building his team around these two for years ready for the world cup. Despite the comments about the two not clicking, without an Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer or Wally Lewis to play the best a coach can do is create some continuity and a team structure. At least McNamara has tried to do this. A repeat of 28-6 will do me nicely (actually, 1-0 would do me nicely!)

NOPE its super mac still coaching the team in 2020 ashes series

FWIW I don't agree with Chase playing for England, but that is not the point.

There are posters on here who want to paint McNamara as the "villain" and Brough as the victimised hero in waiting. Whilst I have no idea what's gone on within the England setup I [isuspect[/i that Brough had ample opportunity to change the minds of the England coaches by his actions. He CHOSE instead, to take the easy option of a guaranteed place with Scotland.

He made the CHOICE.

Had he chosen to fight for his place and displaced Chase, then I wouldn't grumble in the slightest.

Of course he chose, Scotland asked a question and he had the choice of an answer, yes or no.

Not saying Brough is right or wrong , but when the giants are at the top of the pile mid June and with Brough being the key orchestrater for that. For McNamara to not even select him in the squad for the exiles game probably said to Danny that he wouldn't be getting picked at all.

But hey ho, what's done is done. I for will back Sinfield and Chase because they are representing England

Chase & Sinfield did not impress at the weekend or the game before IMO.

Chase is undoubtedly a genius, he is a flawed genius. He often runs around like a headless chicken with no-one from his own side any clue what he is trying to do as he is so off the cuff. He is also very petulant in the same way as Tomkins was- a similarly gifted player; however Tomkins appears to be maturing and putting the daft stuff behind him.

Sinfield deserves a place in the side as he is a superb kicker and very experienced and professional and a very hard worker for the team. I'm not sure where to put him but he is not a natural S/O; perhaps second row as he is not a line breaking loose forward?

I personally would have liked to have seen Burrow and Widdup tried at S/H & S/O, of and Sam Burgess at loose - he would be devastating attacking centres and the odd second rower.

Getting back to Chase, he seems incapable of being part of structured play. This might be OK against the Kiwi's as they are more off the cuff and unstructured but certainly not against the Aussies as they have and stick to a firm structure.