It was great to see from Burgess, but let's not forget that it wasn't even a mistackle to SBW.

If you've been watching SBW, it would be clear that he has returned to league as a more complete player than when he left. By halfway through the season, there will be no doubts of his ability.

I am worried about SBW playing against the Kangaroos. I think it would really silly for English fans not to be as well.

Really hope he does turn out though, it'll be good for the game and profile of the World Cup.

Are you going on the assumption that James Graham will get banned again?

And also the fact Ben Te'o plays for Queensland, Roy Asotasi isn't good enough and Heremaia will be nowhere near!

It was his first game back to league since 2008, he had been involved in boxing and looked a little to "ripped" he will naturally add some weight get his body and game to match rugby league and return to his position of being one of the best forwards in the game despite not playing for 5 years.

Matai and Sa'u have also declared for Samoa so their centre options aren't looking too strong

He was very impressive for the Roosters today. There is no doubt about it, SBW is very very talented and will be major plus for NZ.

I have never read that.

Matai has played for NZ and would be mad not to play for them again in the big time.

What is your source for this bizarre claim?

SBW had a magnificent game for the Sydney Roosters a few hours ago. I watched it all. He was taken off early in the second half because his team were thumping the opposition and the coach didn't want to risk him being injured. His offloads were brilliant and his defence was superb. It is only his 4th game in rugby league since returning, so he is still has room for development, and he will definitely be asked to play for New Zealand inte World Cup.


* P.S. I forgot about James the Ear Biter. He will make it into the England side just as soon as he gets that old lady's hands out of his pants.


Possible England teamSam Tomkins

Ryan Hall, Kallum Watkins, Jack Reed, Josh Charnley

Kevin Sinfield
Danny McGuire/Gareth Widdop

Sean O'Loughlin
Gareth Ellis, Gareth Hock
Sam Burgess, James Roby, James Graham [/i

InterchangeRob Burrow, Ben Westwood, George Burgess, Eorl Crabtree.[/i


Possible New Zealand teamKevin Locke

Jason Nightingale, Konrad Hurrell, Shaun Kenny-Dowell, Sam Perrett,

Benji Marshall
Kieron Foran

Greg Eastwood
Simon Mannering, Sonny Bill Williams
Jared Wharea-Hargreaves, Isaac Luke, Sam Kasiano[/i

InterchangeSam Rapira, Jesse Bromwich, Frank Pritchard/Tohu Harris, Aaron Heremaia[/i


The New Zealand pack is equal to if not stronger than England's, its halves and three quarters are superior.

If SBW continues his incremental improvements each week, by the time of the World Cup, should he choose to play he may well be a game changer on his own.

So your basing your mus-guided assumption on not only one game, but his first back in the NRL. Well if you had seen his 3 game since you would see he is improving massively each week. It wont be long until he is back to his best, and that's the opinion of many down here not just Roosters fans.

As for Burgess, I think he is great. I am English so off course I want him to do well, and he is one of the best around but not the best in the world. Too many Super League and England fans want to believe he is the outright best forward in the world. No line breaks, just 3 off loads (SBW had 4 alone last night), 5 missed tackles and 3 errors in 3 games are not the stats of the best in the world.

Quote: JEAN CAPDOUZE "I have never read that. Matai has played for NZ and would be mad not to play for them again in the big time. What is your source for this bizarre claim?'" www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/849 ... um=twitter

Quote: JEAN CAPDOUZE "I have never read that. Matai has played for NZ and would be mad not to play for them again in the big time. What is your source for this bizarre claim?'" www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/849 ... um=twitter

Quote: Bondi_Warrior " Quote: Bondi_Warrior "Judging by the way in which sam burgess physically brushed him aside in a recent NRL fixture, I'm not overly concerned by the threat of SBW. Yes he's a great athlete but his RL skills aren't as devastating as they were prior to him turning his back on the game. In addition, I think we've made some excellent progress in terms of our forwards being able to compete physically with the worlds best - You could argue that sam burgess is the best forward in the world right now.'" So your basing your mus-guided assumption on not only one game, but his first back in the NRL. Well if you had seen his 3 game since you would see he is improving massively each week. It wont be long until he is back to his best, and that's the opinion of many down here not just Roosters fans. As for Burgess, I think he is great. I am English so off course I want him to do well, and he is one of the best around but not the best in the world. Too many Super League and England fans want to believe he is the outright best forward in the world. No line breaks, just 3 off loads (SBW had 4 alone last night), 5 missed tackles and 3 errors in 3 games are not the stats of the best in the world.'" www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl- ... 6611055349

Quote: Bondi_Warrior " Quote: Bondi_Warrior "Judging by the way in which sam burgess physically brushed him aside in a recent NRL fixture, I'm not overly concerned by the threat of SBW. Yes he's a great athlete but his RL skills aren't as devastating as they were prior to him turning his back on the game. In addition, I think we've made some excellent progress in terms of our forwards being able to compete physically with the worlds best - You could argue that sam burgess is the best forward in the world right now.'" So your basing your mus-guided assumption on not only one game, but his first back in the NRL. Well if you had seen his 3 game since you would see he is improving massively each week. It wont be long until he is back to his best, and that's the opinion of many down here not just Roosters fans. As for Burgess, I think he is great. I am English so off course I want him to do well, and he is one of the best around but not the best in the world. Too many Super League and England fans want to believe he is the outright best forward in the world. No line breaks, just 3 off loads (SBW had 4 alone last night), 5 missed tackles and 3 errors in 3 games are not the stats of the best in the world.'" www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl- ... 6611055349

The more i read your posts the more i begin to think your Damo (sp) of the leeds board. Just because someone has better knowledge on international players it doesn't make it a a bizarre claim.

also your first team choices for England and new zealand are very poor especially new Zealand's.

That is a very harsh judgment.

Which of my revised first team choices are very poor, especially for New Zealand?

Possible England teamSam Tomkins

Ryan Hall, Kallum Watkins, Jack Reed, Josh Charnley

Kevin Sinfield
Danny McGuire/Gareth Widdop

Sean O'Loughlin
Gareth Ellis, Gareth Hock
Sam Burgess, James Roby, James Graham [/i

InterchangeRob Burrow, Ben Westwood, George Burgess, Eorl Crabtree.[/i


Possible New Zealand teamKevin Locke

Jason Nightingale, Konrad Hurrell, Shaun Kenny-Dowell, Sam Perrett,

Benji Marshall
Kieron Foran

Greg Eastwood
Simon Mannering, Sonny Bill Williams
Jared Wharea-Hargreaves, Isaac Luke, Sam Kasiano[/i

InterchangeSam Rapira, Jesse Bromwich, Frank Pritchard/Tohu Harris, Aaron Heremaia[/i

I get where your coming from as sbw has improved slowly and no doubt he is trying to break he's way back in without slipping up. But at the moment there is no doubt that Sam and George burgess are the big dogs of the NRL this season sbw was ineffective against them and sam steam rolled him. Are you saying sam burgess hasn't broken the line once this season? or this round? I watched there game and he defiantly made at least 2 or 3 tackle busts. and to be honest we could debate stats all night but you just need to watch the game and see who's the more effective forward and majority aus fans would say sam burgess.

your english but your also a rooster fan and sam is effectively the captain of a your rival team so i wouldn't say you hold no bias in the debate.

Possible England team:

Sam Tomkins

Ryan Hall, Kallum Watkins, Jack Reed, Josh Charnley

Kevin Sinfield
Danny McGuire/Gareth Widdop

Sean O'Loughlin
Gareth Ellis, Gareth Hock
Sam Burgess, James Roby, Eorl Crabtree

Interchange: Rob Burrow, Ben Westwood, George Burgess, Chris Hill/Adrian Morley


Possible New Zealand team:

Kevin Locke

Jason Nightingale, Steve Matai, Shaun Kenny-Dowell/Junior Sa'u, Sam Perrett/Manu Vatuvei/Josh Hoffman/Matt Duffie

Benji Marshall
Kieron Foran

Greg Eastwood
Simon Mannering, Sonny Bill Williams
Jared Wharea-Hargreaves, Isaac Luke, Sam Kasiano

Interchange: Frank Pritchard/Ben Te'o/Tohu Harris, Roy Asotasi, Jesse Bromwich, Aaron Heremaia


The New Zealand pack is equal to if not stronger than England's, its halves and three quarters are superior.

If SBW continues his incremental improvements each week, by the time of the World Cup, should he choose to play he may well be a game changer on his own.

this was your original team and the one i was referring to as poor.

junior sau would have to have a fantastic season (no real signs of that yet) he has been bad for at least 2 seasons.
steve matai isn't up for new zealand
Aaron heremaia infront of Thomas luelai.
roy asotasi infront of jeff lima?
ben te'o is an aussie
against my opinion adam blair will be in the squad as crap as he maybe at the moment.
tohu harris infront of kevin procter?
and no ben matulino?

and this i would say is the biggest one, you haven't included krisinan inu.

as for the England team its open to debate as well personally i would have hock on the bench and Westwood would be in front of ellis to start as he hasn't played much rugby in the last 2 seasons and the last stint he had he was very average.