You can back England -2 at even money if you're a gambling man. I would consider the travel, lack of preparation and altitude as something of a leveller but it is a weak NZ squad. I think England would get a lot of joy playing an expansive game against them but I can't see it happening.

When you are on about the travel have they not gone their all ready so bye Saturday they should be over jet lag

George Williams has withdrawn from the England squad, there is no replacement taking his place.

This 30+ points talk is nonsense, England are missing a fair few too. Kallum Watkins and Luke Gale are missing in positions we lack any depth.

I agree Sir Kevin, some Leigh players missing also....

I don’t see what 6th placed Championship club Leigh have to do with this thread.

Any more than a London fan that started it, and followed up by SL fans of a team that have forgotten how to win! The repose was I'm sure meant in jest, and there are clearly no Leigh, Fax (or other Championship players) that are worthy of wearing an England shirt at the moment.

It was a JOKE...you really are something else.....Your obsession with Leigh Centurions is pathetic. (We were 3rd in the table on Saturday)
Don't take life so seriously luv, you only have one.

A london fan living in Petone Lower Hutt, Wellington Region, New Zealand....so I'd guess I am pretty well placed to comment on my adopted nations squad....if you doubt its strength or lack thereof, remember that our current hooker was scrambling looking for a game with Ireland last year at the RLWC...., now his inclusion is seen as a strength?????

It's very dangerous to underestimate the Kiwis, they still have a solid forward pack and I don't think it's a strong England team which Bennett has picked at all.

Good point, but I wasn't questioning you starting the post (albeit maybe it reads like that), but just that us lowly Championship fans have as much right to comment as super dooper league fans.

This is my guess at how they will line up. When you actually look at that it doesn't look so weak, my initial thoughts were just about who wasn't playing and not the actual squad. I think their forward pack and bench will be marginally better than England's and there's some genuine quality in the 3/4. I think their halves might struggle if they do go with Martin and Nikorima, both should be big spots for England when NZ are defending. Yes they are missing some certain starters but it's still a strong team on paper and with Maguire at the helm it could be a very tight game.

1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
2. Jamayne Isaac
3. Peta Hiku/Jordan Kahu
4. Esan Marsters
5. Ken Maumalo
6. Te Maire Martin
7. Kodi Nikorima
8. Martin Taupau
9. Isaac Luke
10. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
11. Joseph Tapine
12. James Fisher-Harris
13. Isaac Liu

14. Slade Griffin
15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
16. Leeson Ah Mau
17. Herman Ese’ese

Its pointless game anyway, a gimmick played in a mid west city, played right in the middle of the Football world cup. it will be lucky to get more than 1/4 a page in just about every national news paper. it not even a true national side, just Bennett England NRL select with a few super league players thrown in to keep the piece.