One day someone will wake up to the fact that Tomkins is a 6 not a 1

I cannot believe he's gone with the same back row. It's so weak it's untrue and Australia will no doubt smash us again.

We've got some decent players now, players not just surviving but thriving in the NRL. Yet we're so massively held back by the coach, a man with absolutely no credentials and who is utterly clueless.

Farrell is too small for international league. He's a good player in SL, a workhorse that does a hell of a lot of work for Wigan, most noticably in defense where he's forced to help out their weak front row. Joel Tomkins would be an automatic pick if he was the Tomkins that left for Union, but he's not. He's another year of development as a league player away from even being considered for England. No form at all and not good enough to pick regardless of form. Westerman is another player I like in SL, perfectly capable at that level and knocking on the door internationally. But against Australia he doesn't provide enough, it's a massive shame O'Loughlin is again injured. I'd agree with the suggestion of putting G.Burgess at 13. The 3 in there will be dominated and having the extra power in there would be useful.

still expect 1 or 2 changes come game day, they had to announce the squad early

Fingers crossed.

The professionals are all wrong and have been for several years then.

Sarginson was racking up the metres towards the end of the season for Wigan. I'd like to see him in at centre, or Hardaker. Or Sarginson and Hardaker on the edge but might be a little too risky in a game like this.

I'd get rid of Tom Burgess, Joe Westerman and Joel Tomkins from last week's squad too.

Sarginson would get killed against either of Aus' centres.

Sam Tomkins first run out V OZ was in the halves he scored one try and but for Sam Burgess's stupidity would have given us a 16 or was it a 22 to 0 lead?

He worried the Aussies in that match at times I think he was 18 years old then, so he has the credentials for those positions at this level already on his CV.

Watching the Holden cup on P/sports there were a couple of youngsters one at F/Back and another at stand off who's prime position is F/Back also, both are very good prospects and I maintain that Sam will move up into the Halves to partner Johnson either next or the season following.
He also should be done the same with for England in time for the 2017 WWC.

For me Id go the same

apart from

Westerman OUT full stop - Straight swap for O'loughlin - Failing that G Burguess to 13 and Copper at prop

Id also drop 1 of the other back rows and unleash whitehead

Also as this game is now must win - we need an attacking mentality and Id be tempted to put hardaker at centre instead of Shenton

I base this on Sarginson getting better throughout the year and from what I saw of Shenton deteriorating. In the play-offs and a few games before Sarginson was making 150m + a game. Him and Burgess formed a dangerous partnership down the left.

To begin with I was less than impressed with Sarginson. In all honesty I didn't think he had a future at centre and would have to try and get into the Wigan team at FB. His defensive reads where all over the show and he never looked for his wing man. But he's made me eat my words. His defence is aggressive, he makes quick decisions and doesn't give the opposition time on the ball. As I mentioned him and Burgess created a great partnership outplaying there opposite numbers throughout the playoffs and one of them or both scored every game.

Apparently it's you who doesn't remember, especially since you're now claiming to be including the CC.




You forgot to add "end of"

Is SOL still injured?

Well done Steve McNamara, you genius, for giving the England captaincy to someone who's spent less time on the pitch in the last 2 years than the Wigan water carriers.

Sarginson isn't quite ready IMO. He's a good pick to be in and around the squad though as he really started to fulfil his potential at the back end of the year.

If he keeps developing like he has done in his time at Wigan so far he could become a very good player indeed. His hunger for work is second to none with him coming close to 200m per game in the last few games of the season. I've heard a few question his defence but he's been rock solid IMO(at the back end of the year especially). His downfall early in the year was that he didn't seem able to put his winger in to space and was a bit ball greedy but again at the back end of the year he'd formed a great partnership with Burgess and was picking when to pass and when to run perfectly.

This time next year he could well be a starter for England IMO.

Indeed. That double GF winning coach Michael Maguire clealry didn't have a clue moving Tomkins to fullback.