I think the point he's trying to make is whatever 13 they field, they'll still wipe the floor with us - and TBH I agree.

Just looking at Hooker, Cam Smith with Robbie Farah on the bench? we've got Moore and Roby?

Cronk available if anything happens to Thurston & Lockyer.

I'm just making the point that while we're struggling to find somebody decent enough for some spots, they're blessed with not only the best players in the world at several positions, but some world class players available to either interchange or step in if somebody doesn't perform to their best in a game.

I really do feel like crying

I think that was basically the point I was trying to make, some of their 2nd choice players are scarily better than our first choices in a few positions.

It's not like I can pray for an injury to Thurston, because Cronk has been fantastic all season.

God help whoever has to face Hayne on the wing.

We have no chance in the backs

Slator
Inglis
Thurston
Hayne

IMO are the 4 best in the world. We will get no where near them, but its gonna be great watching these guys live.

With all the Aussies being big name superstars all the more reason for us to raise our game, make a name for ourselves and stick it up em!

Lets stop this defeatest attitude of 'oooo the aussies will beat us'. What about English grit to stick it up the Aussies as we are on our patch this Autumn!

In the WC train on squad last year Tony Smith got rid of anyone who didn't fully believe they could win the tournament, maybe that is the reason certain players haven't been picked this time?

Come on! The kiwis have lost most of their squad we are more than capable of beating them aswell as France and we should raise our game against the Aussies and stick it up em!

It's going to be fantastic to watch them tbh.

I love watching Cam Smith play, and Robbie Farah is a cracking attacking hooker (if we get to see him, maybe against France) - I find them more entertaining to watch than our traditional scooters.

We have a chance if we mix it with them in the forwards but the backs will kill us!

I know mate, i'm normally always trying to look for the positives so I don't enjoy feeling there is a massive gulf in class between our respective backs.

I can see where you're coming from, but I think we've discussed this before.
A team has three good props and their opponents have 3,000. Only 4 of those 3,000 are going to get into the 17. You're then looking at 3 good props against 4. Looks a lot better doesn't it?
The Aussies have got a dearth of amazing centres, but they can only have two on the field. Think positive

There may be a gulf between the backs but lets concentrate on our positives like speed in the backs, massive pack and the underdog tag.

We need to get into their faces from the start and like you say 'stick it up em' because they don't like it they won't know what to do.

We need a boisterous and aggressive defence and attack especially from the forwards for players like Tomkins/Eastmond/Myler to rip them up.

We can't afford for people like Graham to do what he did in the WC were he fell into the defensive line for a quick PTB we need our pack to bash them up.

I know Morley, Ellis, Peacock and Burgess won't need telling they will be fired up enough as it is.

I agree!

We need our forwards to steam roll them big style. Eastmond and Tomkins could be devastating, they will not know much about them.

Exactly, Superleague coaches don't know much about them never mind the Aussies. They will be lambs to the slaughter unless our pack sets the platform, if they do we stand a good chance of winning.

The thing is though, the aussies will walk all over eastmond once they spot he is weak.

I can't believe people want Eastmond at centre Inglis, Folau