1- Briscoe
2- Fox
3- Ellis
4- Shenton
5- Hall
6- Tomkins
7- Eastmond
8- Graham
9- Sinfield
10- Carvell
11- Peacock
12- Burgess
13- Wilkin

14- Morley
15- Crabtree
16- Westwood
17- Roby

Crabtree should start as he's been excellent these past few weeks.

We don't need Roby as Sinfield can play the full 80 meaning we can have an extra prop on the bench

He says himself that he is more effective off the bench and I would agree with him. We want him to come on and give the 'tiring' forwards a bashing, which he does so well. Not to mention keeping them guessing with his nifty offloads (so long as he remembers when NOT to do them!)


We don't need an extra prop for the Aussies. We need pace and passing ability, and Roby has both those things. He is an impact hooker (whether he wants to be or not!) and coming off the bench is what he is best at. His passing improved 100% last night and with his ability to scoot, along with Tomkins and Eastmond's ability to dodge and weave, that should give the Aussies something to worry about.

I agree with the bit about James Roby. I would just give Sinfield a longer spell at hooker and then bring Roby on from the bench to have some impact against tiring defenders with Eorl Crabtree.

Smith should come in at FB, we need more on our kick returns. Plus I think Smith will be better chiming into the line than Briscoe was tonight.

Not far off for me.....after the first few selection debacles Smith has almost got it right....for me the strongest 17 we've got from the current squad, and the closest we'll come to taking the aussies would be the following;

1. Briscoe
2. Fox
3. Ellis
4. Shenton
5. Hall
6. Tomkins
7. Eastmond
8. Graham
9. Sinfield (really stood up in this series and excelled all my expectations. The first time hes ever played up to international standard IMO and hooker is clearly his best position as can be seen how we lost our domination when roby came on and sinfield switched)
10. Morley
11. Peacock
12. Wilkin
13. Burgess
---------------------

14. Moore (Purely because roby offers nothing)
15. Crabtree (again vastly exceeded my expectations)
16. Westwood (dont rate him but hes had a good series and again played better than ive ever seen)
17. Carvell (just as i think we'll need some extra forward power)

In essence all we're off smith picking that is him seing the light and realising chris bridge is not up to it. If bridge goes in next week im worried as it will be wigan re-visited.....inglis will just trample all over him

I'd go with same as beat the Kiwis

agreed. same again for me.

Anyone who marks Inglis is going to get made out to look a fool with Inglis's right fend,size and pace.

It was a good idea to play Briscoe against the Kiwis because he is safe and is fearless but against the Aussies you need speed and flare so I would go for Smith even though it is harsh on Briscoe he has done well but lacks that real pace and try scoring ability that Smith has. T.Smith would be a brave man to drop Briscoe for Smith. Also I wouldn't play Peacock in the second row he isn't quick enough we need him up front as a battering ram.

1- Lee Smith
2- Fox (Needs to room with Bridge all week to get a bond going if they are to partner each other on the right flanks and Fox needs to have confidence in his inside man so he doesn't keep coming in off his wing and needs to practice catching kicks).
3- Bridge
4- Shenton (Room with Hall etc needs to be given more space to run with the ball)
5- Hall
6- Tomkins
7- Eastmond
8- Graham
9- Sinfield
10- Peacock
11- Ellis
12- Westwood
13- Burgess

14- Morley (Prop)
15- Crabtree (Second row)
16- Carvell (Prop)
17- Roby (Hooker pushing Sinfield to Loose)

With having big second rowers and loose forward in Burgess I would want our props up the middle and Burgess, Ellis, Crabtree and Westwood running hard off Tomkins and Eastmond at Lockyer, Thurston, Inglis and Watmough especially and then when they mark have a prop running into them again for the first 15 of each half. I would like to see if Lockyer and Inglis can work their magic after doing 20 tackles in the first 25mins.

Even though it is a negative tactic I would have Sinfield kicking the ball dead in goal on the 5th to take Slaters kick return out of the game.

Also if Ganson is ref I would get sledging Thurston and Hodges to wind them up especially Thurston you would have to niggle him so he reacts and gives a penalty away and when Ganson penalises him he will mouth off to Ganson and because he is a marked man by Ganson I reckon he wouldn't hesitate to send him to the sin bin. Takes Thurston out of the game and Lockyer would be shattered from all the tackling.

Briscoe
Fox
Ellis
Shenton
Hall
Tomkins
Eastmond
Morley
Sinfield
Graham
Peacock
Westwood
Burgess

Carvell
Crabtree
Roby
Wilkin

I think we need to be more secure on the side that got battered last time, with Ellis there he offers power, strength and good defence, not to mention McGuire wont be there to let them all past. We need even more size which is why i've brought Carvell in, i dont see why he hasnt got a game yet since the Wales match? Anyway him and Crabtree will add some power coming off the bench, im happy with that team except the last 2 but they are basically the best what is left from the 24 man squad.
I dont think we can win but i think we can give them a game! if we play like we have been doing the past 120 minutes in previous games then we are actually in with a chance.

Briscoe
Fox
Bridge
Shenton
Hall

Tomkins
Eastmond

Peacock
Sinfield
Graham
Ellis
Wilkin
Burgess

Crabtree
Carvell
Westwood
Morley