The standard is high but Newton is there on merit.
Not popular with Hull FC fans but i bet fans of other clubs respect and fear him in opposition.

Ive voted for my team and disregarded who Rovers play on the Sunday and picked the side id like to face England and included Newton, Vella and Mason from Rovers.

B Hodgson
J Monaghan
M King
D Howell
P Richards
R Chase
T Leuluai
M Vella
D Buderus
W Mason
C Newton
D Fa'alogo
C Fitzgibbon

I have not chosen any Rovers players, not because I fear for injury or I want a weakend Exciles team but because I feel there are better players to pick than them in each of the lists.

I may argue that I think Galea is a better loose forward than Fitzgibbon, Fitzy is a prop with 13 on his back, Galea is a ball player who also has a nifty boot on him so is very useful, his side step also fazes people however you cannot overlook Fitzy's amazing defensive skills and work rate.

I was very surprised to see Willie Mason so high in the voting, he has not lived up to expectations (mainly because most were so high in the first place) and I think someone like Cashmere has done more damage to other clubs than both Mason and Vella.

One player I was surprised that didnt make the shortlist was Jake Webster. I know he is pretty injury prone and we fear everytime he gets blown by a strong gust but he always gets up for big games, he usually troubles the best of centres and I think he'd have been an ideal candidate for selection.

The team I have picked purely on the basis that I think they are the best team for the job and will play an attractive yet powerful style...

1.Hodgson
2.Richards
3.King
4.Soliola
5.Monaghan
6.Chase
7.Leuluai
8.O'Meley
9.Buderus
10.Cashmere
11.Fa'alogo
12.Faiumu
13.Fitzgibbon

The second rowers I think should come from the same team because they will work the same in defence and that basically feeds through to the centres and wingers which is always helpful. They are also big lads with good speed and a good step. Galea and Newton could easily play in this game and perform well but I don't honestly think they are the best two for the job.

Mason has to play Nick, players like him Buderus, O'meley, Fitzgibbon, Monaghan are still big names in Oz and will raise the profile of the game.

vella instead of o'meley? Always knew your rugby knowledge was the square root of nowt

The player I'm surprised no one has mentioned and isn't on the list is the guy who's won the SL dream team No7 position for the last two years.

Because he's not registered?

That thought did cross my mind.

That can be the only reason that I see.

Lets be right , Dobson is fairly and squarely behind Leuluai , Sammut perhaps not but Leuluai operates at an entirely higher level, nobody could seriously suggest that Dobson would come anywhere near been an integral cog of a World Cup or Tri Nations winning team, let alone a grand final winner..there seems to be some kind of myth surrounding how good Dobson is because of Rovers abject performances whilst he is injured.., 90% of his contribution to Rovers is his kicking game which is excellent but the rest of his game would not get him within 2 miles of top level international team.., a big reason we miss him is because of the ordinary stand off JM signed to supposedly take the pressure away who is living up to his ordinariness quite well , Rovers fans and the coach have given Dobson a lot to live up to on his return , not sure he is up to the big expectations surrounding him..

He was in the SL dream team for the past 2 years.
I take their views over yours everyday of the week.
Still if that little rant made you feel better good on you.
And the use of the word 'WE' do you honestly expect anyone to actually belive that

TBF i thought Larry Billey made some valid points.

Maybe so gg, but not about his non selection in the voting process.

The only other reason I could think is that McClennan wants Sammut off the bench due to his ability to play -, 6, 7 and 9.