think it will be far closer than many people are predicting

My brother was on a training course in Loughborough this week and coincidentally staying in the same hotel as the England squad.

As he seemed to be the only person in the hotel who knew who they were he got quite a bit of time chatting to them.

He said Darryl Powell and Sam Tomkins were quietly confident about Saturday's game but the overall impression he got was that they were all relaxed and ready to give it their best shot.

I'm off down to the game, more in hope than expectation but if we keep it competitive for 60 mins I'll be happy.

My prediction; 6 points in it at 50 mins then the Aussies to run in a few more tries and win by 18-22 points.

Im hoping for a close fought game, I think about the quality we have in the squad with players like Sam, Widdop, Ellis etc, and feel like we could sneak a win here, then I remember who is coach and just feel less optimistic.

I don't post often but I am England through and through I hope the team don't log on, negative, negative, negative I believe England can win I have hope if you don't then support some other sport and pass your negativity on to that for god sake people believe , England by 4 :-p

You do realise that Sinfield, even if he has 6 on his back, is effectively playing a scrum-half role? He's playing the same role as Cronk and a Sinfield-Widdop combo would allow Widdop to play his natural game whether he's wearing 7 or not. England looked most effective vs Wales with this combo, and it should Chase not Sinfield who is benched. And Carvell for Wilkin.

a-teamsport.com/2011/11/luke-lew ... al-to-nrl/

a-teamsport.com/2011/11/luke-lew ... al-to-nrl/

This

Quote: BIGBOY23 "BBC for me because of it being in hd as i cant get hd on sky sports . The commentary is going to be just as bad on BBC as it is on sky , its just going to be an aussie love in on both channels . If you listened to these clowns that do the commentary youd think australia never do a thing wrong . Its pathetic'" In HD for me also, but i'm puzzled by Bilko's listings here: www.rugbyleagueontv.co.uk/, because there is no such thing as BBC2 HD.

Quote: BIGBOY23 "BBC for me because of it being in hd as i cant get hd on sky sports . The commentary is going to be just as bad on BBC as it is on sky , its just going to be an aussie love in on both channels . If you listened to these clowns that do the commentary youd think australia never do a thing wrong . Its pathetic'" In HD for me also, but i'm puzzled by Bilko's listings here: www.rugbyleagueontv.co.uk/, because there is no such thing as BBC2 HD.

I struggle to see what McBanana see's in Wilkin, he offers nothing.

Last week Luke Lewis was crunching the Kiwis all game and ran hard and did good lines, that's what an International 2nd row does.

I'd love to see Bailey or Carvell in before him.

I see you've changed from 80% empty. So around 100% out on each.

Really need Graham and Ellis to pull through for next week. Aside from 3 rediculous decisions by the officials in 10 mins they were another reason the game went away from us.

I'd love us to win next week and get another crack at the Aussies. They look like you can really get at them and Slater will be a big loss. We can afford to make the silly errors we did yesterday against them but we've got loads of improvement in us. They will say they have as well but we shouldn't forget the Aussies had 2 warm up games against the Kiwis compared to ours against France and Wales.

I said last night id bench Chase but after watching the replay I've changed my mind. He had a nightmare couple of moments but he's such a threat and he deserves a chance to learn his lessons.

As for the 3 games we've played recently I'm again wanting Widdop to start and Carvell to come on to the bench.