...Definitely agree.....However, over here at Wire, we have got Richie Mathers, so to be honest we have the next best thing....

Liked the way Sam T, did take a backward step in defence even throwing Hodges around like a rag doll. Took a big dump tackle from Gallen as well. But in attack he really did look good, surprised Smith didn't get Eastmond on earlier. Eastmond and Tomkins really gave us some impetus in attack. Though Burgess started slow one big hit and he came to life Crabtree and Graham did ok, Peacock and Morley where quiet. Roby is gash.

For me Roby seems to have 'lost it' since he got MOS, maybe he felt guilty recieving it and lost his confidence due to feeling like a fake.

I never got the Roby hype, just thought he was a average player who came off the bench to give Cunningham a breather.

He was more than that. He would create zip at a time when defences were tiring which under the old system worked very well, as Wigan found out to their cost. However, he hasn't adapted to the new way of playing and has been poor all season. I am surprised Smith picked him to be honest but then he did do better in the second half when Sinfield took his place. So maybe he simply needs to play elsewhere.

Also, he tackles like a demon, which is useful against the Aussies.

I honestly don't believe he is good enough to play anywhere else, it shows how poor our no9 situation is, when the best hooker in SL in going to call it a day next year.
If was Smith I would of got Diskin & Cunningham for this 4 nations, ballcocks to youth & the world cup we should be building of a good basis and getting shown up in the 4 nations imo is not a good basis to be building from.

The problem with Roby is that he was built up every other week by Abbot & Costello on SKY as 'The saviour of Rugby League / Best youngster in World RL...etc'. Similar story to Wellens & Maguire, pumped up as true greats when realistically they would be lucky to serve in any NRL teams at all.

Not the players faults just the hype around them is and has been ridiculous for years, so much so when they play truly class sides like the Aussies and Kiwis they are shown to be what they truly are: distinctly average.

Wellens has been a superb fullback. His positional sense and defensive qualities have been the best over the last 10 years. The only way in which Wello lacks is in pace and he always has lacked pace. It didn't matter so much when he first played but the game has changed and has left him behind in that respect. Hence, he wasn't picked this season. I hope he has enjoyed his rest and time with the family. At least he doesn't get the stick this year!

I would also like to have seen Michael Lawrence included in the squad in place of Lee Smith (going to Rugby Union why put him in)

I can't stick this bloke and I am sure many posters are aware of how he never gives English players any praise and berates the entire English game but I give you LeagueFreak's take on Sam TomkinsI think Australia expected England to just roll over and die, but to England credit, they kept stuck in there and led beautifully by Chorleys favorite son, Sam Tomkins, they started to forge their way back.
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Yes they certainly hype this Ozzie team. For me they are very far from the best Ozzie team ever.

Comparing Lockyer to players like Wally Lewis or Brett Kenny is insulting .

Lockyer is very good by todays standards, but won't go down as a legend.

The 80's Oz teams were better IMHO.

If our forwards 'beef up' we can beat the Ozzies no problem.

Sam talks to Sky Sports Eddie Hemmings after the match - rlClick Hererl

I think that's being unfair to Lockyer, the Darren Lockyer you're seeing at the moment (and for most of this season in the NRL) is a pale shadow of what he's delivered year on year through his career. I'm certain Lockyer will go down as one of the NRL greats.

Lockyer has beaten Mal Meniga's record for the number of appearances for Australia.
He has broken Clive Churchill's record for the number of times he's captained Australia.
Lockyer yesterday equalled Ken Irvine's record for the number of tries scored by an Australian in Internationals. Score against the French and he will have the Irvine record.
Lockyer is one of the all time greats, if not the greatest, an absolute legend!