Quote: dirtbag83 "Thing is, I think this team is much better than the team from 2009, espoecially the backs. The likes of Chase and Tomkins have brought a different dimension and players like Hall and Briscoe are much improved. Not trying to take anything from McNamara, but he's basically got better players at his disposal than Tony Smith did IMO'"
I agree re the backs. I posted on here a few weeks ago that the 3/4s were awful and that we had only one world class back (Tomkins), which was just wrong. I am delighted to be proved wrong!
Hall has been very, very impressive and at the moment has a strong case for being considered the best winger in world rugby (either code). He is a big unit, skilful, quick and very strong.
The other 3/4s have performed better than I expected.
As for the other backs, Chase has been a bit of a disappointment but looked good against NZ. Sinfield - well, if you're a Leeds fan he's world class and if you're not then you want Widdop to be given a shot.
As for Tomkins, I've said repeatedly on this and other boards in the last few months that I think this lad could be as good as (and possibly even surpass) Hanley. And unlike with my comments on our 3/4s I am more and more confident that was the right call. If there's a more talented player in the tournament, I haven't seen him. At times he looks almost unplayable. I can't wait for next week. The Aussies will start big favourites but this is I think the weakest Aussie team for a while and who knows, with some magic from the likes of Tomkins and Hall and a lot of hard graft from our forwards we might just have a chance of sneaking a narrow win. Cutting out the errors and indiscipline will be crucial.
