The Aussies won't pick anyone who doesnt play in Oz and that must be a factor in them deciding whether or not to come to the northern hemisphere. Let 'em go to Australia but don't pick them for the national team. It's time to concentrate on developing our youngsters.

But playing down under will develop them. We don't have the depth to exclude players like Ellis, Graham and Burgess.

I'm not saying these lads aren't good - I'm just saying we should find others to develop instead of them. We don't have the depth because we continue to bring players like Widdup over just because they play in the NRL. He came over last time, as pretty much a rookie, at no 1 and he's been brought over again this time as a utility player. Surely we can find someone over here who can play the positions he's been picked to cover? And if they're not as good as him, well what better chance to improve them by exposing them to international RL (like Smith did with Briscoe).

Also, Burgess hasn't played this year and we've survived without him as well as beating the world champions without Ellis.

Why shouldn't we bring them over? Ok Heightington has never been here, but Widdop and Reed were born here! Both playing first grade in the best standard in the world. We bring them over because they are good enough to play in the England team, Reed is the best centre in our squad and Widdop has had another good season at the storm with Smith, Slater and Cronk.

We have, but I reckon if Ellis and Graham don't play against Aus, we'll struggle to match them up front. I can well see the arguments for not playing Chase, or even Widdop and Heighington to a limited extent. But to refuse to pick our own British born and trained players because they're now playing in the NRL would be absolute madness.

It might be "madness" if all we care about is winning this year's comp but we need to look at the long term. How come we have no centre capable of playing instead of Reed?

Australia would never pick someone from over here because of injuries at home - why should we?. It's time we started having faith in our youngsters. Isn't that what we're all saying about FC? Aren't Tompkins, Hall and Briscoe (as a few examples) showing us the way forward?

Our main problem is Lockyer. If he has a quiet game (which I'm not sure he's capable of) then I think the gap is the closest it's been for a long time.

I think we need Chase to have a good game as well if we hope to win. I don't know if it's just me but I think he has been frail in defence and a little lacking in attack. he international stage is a lot more demanding so I'd like to see him rise his game.

We don't have the depth the Australians have and I think more will start to head to the NRL as the cap increases. NZ pick players from outside if their country and I think we need to at the moment. It gets silly when we invent reasons to play players like Chase, that needs to be stopped. Still we are were we are and we need to get behind the team on the pitch whomever they are.

Briscoe getting caught by Mannering is neither here or there, there could be numerous reasons why he did, angles, tiredness due to recent involvement, slight knock etc. The fact that he got into the field position he did set up Grahams try.

Yeaman had his best game of the tournament, was solid defencively and looked like he followed a strict game plan as did the rest of the team.

Think theres a few being a bit harsh on Wilkin, his quick hands made Briscoes try. I agree there were times he didn't keep the ball going down the line but I thought Chase was guilty of that more often by laying the inside pass to Wilkin rather than moving it wide to Yeaman.

Discipline will be the key on Saturday, if we can keep it tight then we have a shout at it. March the aussies down the pitch and we'll get slaughtered.

The problem has nothing to do with us picking overseas based players, it's the proliferation of average overseas players in our comp that is the issue

Because Atkins, Bridge and Shenton are injured? Like I said, we don't have the depth that the Aussies have. Not playing Reed (who was born in England) won't make some other centre magically become better than he is. We need to play the strongest player we have available in every position, regardless of where they are based.



Because we don't have the depth of talent that Australia have. Australia are an exception to the rule - in any sport. Could you imagine Argentina refusing to pick Messi because he plays his club football in Spain? I really don't see how picking players based solely on where they play, regardless of is they're the best in their respective position, is going to strengthen the national side.



Gareth Widdop is 22. Jack Reed is 23. They are as much 'our' youngsters as Hall, Tomkins and Briscoe are.

I agree - how many right side centres could we pick who are not overseas? I'd rather we played homegrown youngsters in the SL - players like Turner for example. These players will soon get up to speed. Isn't this why we got rid of demotion - to develop local players to help us compete at international level? So instead of encouraging those players at international level we bring in players from Oz. That seems "madness" to me and flies in the face of what the PL are supposedly trying to do.

btw are the SL extending the offer of money to those clubs in Australia who are contributing to the English team?

Wow. We're not 'bringing in players from Aus', we're playing English players who happen to ply their trade in the NRL (in most cases). You could make a case for not playing Chase and Heighington, and I'd probably agree, but English born players have every right to be selected no matter where they play their club football.

As I said before, Australia RL are the only country I know of in any sport that has such a stipulation in place. They are able to do this solely by virtue of the massive depth of talent they enjoy compared to everyone else.

Oh, and, Turner as an international centre? That is a lame attempt at trolling, isn't it?

They both played pretty well , Yeaman did a few decent tackles.

Hopefully they can both be on top form on saturday in the final.

yeaman is surely only keeping the jersey warm untill Ryan Atkins returns, he tries hard and certainly defends well, but IMO he isnt an international centre, (although his tackle where he knocks the ball free on his own line was world class.)
Briscoe is top drawer, say no more.