I can remember when we signed Hill saying on here and elsewhere that he would play for England in the RLWC, most laughed at me.

If only Westwoood had managed to get across the whitewash towards the end and seal the win, it would have been incredible. Don't think I have ever been so gutted about losing a game, but what an amazing spectacle from start to finish. It is easy to go on about the missed conversion or kick down field, but to criticise individual performances or moments in the game would do the game and sport a huge disservice.

Sat next to me were a few blokes from Watford who had only watched one game prior to yesterday. They were completely blown away by everything about it. Probably the best test match we have seen since Sydney Football Stadium test back in 2006.

A few random, disjointed thoughts;

That was a fantastic advertisement for RL, both on TV (wonder what the audience was ?) and at Wembly.

You don't realise how much talent we are losing to Oz until you see all our players on the pitch. Burgess was outstanding and Graham was excellent. Add to that a very good Widdop and the loss of Tomkins. Is it one of the factors in the declining interest in our 'regular' games as well ?

I didn't realise just how poor Chase was until I saw him 'not play'. I think he would have crabbed around for 15 minutes, got splattered, and then become an anonymous bystander for the rest of the match. Widdop was direct and gave Sinfield much needed time and space.

Problem for me will be returning to SL next year and watching low intensity matches, with loads of mistakes, and wishing I was watching the Eng / NZ match again.

The TV audience peaked with 2.83m/27.3% at 2.50pm. Money couldn't buy an advert for the game like that.

Agreed, Widdop was excellent and I hope this is the end of Chase's England career.

The answer to your problem is to subscribe to Premier Sports... the intensity of the NRL has gripped me much more than Super League does (still religiously follow the Wire though). Roll on 2014!

If only Ben Westwood's arm was 2 inches longer! I was convinced he was going to score....

I feel sorry for Ben that we didn't progress yesterday, England's current pack is immense and he's a vital part of that (Farrell wouldn't offer the same, IMO), but he's the wrong side of 30 now and international caps may be limited in the future. If we do kick on from yesterday and challenge Aus / NZ, Benny is unlikely to be part of that.

I think that might be his last cap. He's not going to be around in four years time, so we might as well promote a younger player into the England setup now.

Agree.
It's time for Sinfield, Burrow, Westwood and O'Loughlin to say goodbye.

Both were magnificent but I think the whole England team were in all fairness, it was just very, very unlucky in the end. The England pack is in my opinion the best in the world, Widdop had a great game and should be better in 4 years and Sinfield had his best game as a half in an England shirt (the charge out at the end was silly though). I can't really fault any of them, sure there are ifs, buts and maybes about some decisions but that's sport and we have to credit New Zealand for their efforts too. What a fantastic advertisement for Rugby League to be put out on the BBC surely that must have won over some new fans.

The most promising thing for me is that most of the key players on the pitch were all young enough to be in at their peak in 2017, Charnley, 3 Burgesses, Watkins, Tomkins, Hall, Widdop, Hill, Graham and more all played well and will be way better for the experience and hopefully Jack Reed will be fit next time too. The only real exceptions are Benny and O'Loughlin.

I never thought I would be saying this before the tournament but I would back McNamara to have another crack at it next time round and I genuinely think that if we have a good run with injuries and can get our strongest team out we have a great chance of winning it it's a long time to wait though.

Chris Hill & Super Ben did Warrington proud, in fact England were very very good especially Hill, Westwood, Graham & S Burgess!

I hope it's goodbye to Chase and Sinfield.
With Westwood and O'Loughlin I'd keeep them on for a couple of years. Better to introduce younger players whilst experienced heads are still out on the field to help them. Hill was outstanding.
Also I hope it's goodbye to McNamara.
As Smith won't be in for the England job, who do you Wire fans think should be appointed?

I don't understand this whole "if X isn't going to be around in 4 years he should be dropped now". Internationals should be about competing with the best players you have, it's not just about one tournament every four years.

International league is in a bit of a sad state if we have Tri Nations or Ashes series in the meantime but they are just used as trials or friendlies to experiment with players...surely a Test match jersey should mean more than that.

If some young player wants Westwood's England jersey why not let him prove he's better than Westwood in Super League. Westwood's the old man so why doesn't the young pretender own him in SL and prove his case rather than being gifted a spot in the hope that he will get better just by playing games against the Aussies.

If you get better the more you play teh Aussies then how good is Westwood gonna be in 4 years time.

As far as new England coaches go, who would want it, but I'd go for Daryll Powell.

Shaun Wane.

He did the double with a Wigan side that was by no means an all time great team packed with stars.

I would have Wane as England coach without hesitation, or if Smith left us I would have him as Wire coach tbh.

I agree for England but not for Wire. Wane works better when he has passion for his team.