A massive over reaction by some people,bottom line is we need a far better preparation for these test matches,an uncompetitive game against France doesn't prepare you for close games against teams of New Zealand and Australia's ilk. Imo I don't think there was too much between the two sides other than Sean Johnson and his ability to gain repeat sets which drained the life out of the England's tank.

I wouldn't change too much has we have to stick to a plan and let those players learn from the experiences they are put in,changing the team every other game just doesn't work we need a stable team that needs time to develop without players worrying they may not get another chance unless they come up with a world class performance "a 1 pont loss is hardly a disaster all be it disappointing has more often than not we're coming out on the wrong end of these games".

Again for the future we need to be more pro active with more youth international get togethers,possibly sending our young players down under to play meaningful games down under to see how they do it in a different environment.dropping players after 1 test isn't the way forward. We aren't has bad as some would like to believe and the gulf in class at the top level isn't there but big match experience is!

www.loverugbyleague.com/news_239 ... -miss.html I think this video conclusively shows the drop goal missed. The ball goes behind the post on the close up.

www.loverugbyleague.com/news_239 ... -miss.html I think this video conclusively shows the drop goal missed. The ball goes behind the post on the close up.

Yes, that the one I referred to.

Just read a NZ newspaper's match report which said "England's centres are sub-standard." who'd have thought?

It's goes through the posts. Just some have fallen for an optical illusion because of the white of the ball and white of the posts. 5/6 England guys are looking right at it as it goes through including Lomax who is right under the posts.....none of them bat an eyelid when it's awarded. Are we saying all of those guys didn't notice it go wide?

I wasn't that impressed with Kata and SKD if you measure them all up together.

One idea regarding team selection if he sticks with the Burgess twins that I actually thought we should do before the Kiwi game is to start one of them and have one of Hill and Graham on the bench.

Therefore instead of the leaders of Hill and Graham departing around the same time with the twins coming on we go for let's say Graham and G.Burgess to start and then Hill and T.Burgess on for them around 20-30 mins so you have a mix with at least one of Graham and Hill on the pitch all the time.

Personally having an Australian coaching an English team is just so wrong, he might have a fantastic record but I find him ignorant and rude his interview with Tanya was beyond the pail, England are just as good as New Zealand and Australia, but because we haven't won for forty odd years getting over the line is just getting harder and harder, we can change the team as a Saints supporter i would love Percy to be in the team, but it's all about belief.

Thought we were good in parts, but ultimately composure ( and Johnson) was the difference.
Thought both wingers played well but our centres are shockingly bad, and were pretty much anonymous, good job both wingers like to come in to get work or they would never have touched the ball!
Forwards trying to be too clever at times, especially Burgess in the last few minutes, and Wtf was the one man hit ups about on the last few plays?

Our back rows were sub par too
Whitehead especially

Is the depth of English RL that bad that a whopper like sarginson is considered starting centre for the national team?

Regards

King James

That's no optical illusion. If you pause the slow mo at the point the ball is behind the post it's as clear as day.

It's just not though. I've seen the pictures of it and the ball passes the post on the inside (kick was successful). People are getting fooled by the white on White of the ball and post.

If you've watched the replay then you'll see several England players in shot watching it go over right in perfect position......like I said are you honestly of the opinion none of them saw it apparently go wide and not bother complaining? That's very far fetched.

Was thinking this after watching Tanya interview with the arrogant sod.very poor saying the 8 nrl based players would pull the others up to their speed/standard.if anything it was just the opposite.Percival for Sarge. Williams for Widdop .Taylor instead of any Burgess and that is our best chance.the fact the coach is bemoaning our own top league and has no passion for our national team makes me wonder how he can inspire us to beat his Australian team?saying that Aus look a class above so it may be irrelevant who is in charge but Bennett got right up my nose .Also think on this season's form Shaul should be in ahead of Lomax although neither have Hardakers natural all round attributes. I didn't have much faith in mcnamara but at least he didn't disparage his players

Bennett is here for a two year pension top up and nothing more imo. Looks like he is hating every minute of being here right now but this is the hard bit of the deal for him...next year he gets paid by the RFL and gets to remain in OZ for the WC so it was probably worth while for him. May as well have stuck with Mac.

And when did Trent Hodkinson ever unlock a defence?

He's like Widdop, but without the attacking flair.