Re: Team to face Australia : Mon Nov 07, 2016 12:51 pm  

there is no way that any of the NRL players will not be playing this game.

Re: Team to face Australia : Mon Nov 07, 2016 1:28 pm  

I agree Hodgson has been a little disappointing, but as he's arguably the only world-class player in our squad, talk of not even having him in the 17 seems crazy.

Re: Team to face Australia : Mon Nov 07, 2016 1:30 pm  

I thought Hodgeson starting 9 and moving to 13 with Clarke at 9 worked well and is the way to go forward.

I'm a big Liam Farrell fan but he didn't seem to involved enough in the Scotland game - the game plan of keeping it up the middle doesn't suit his strengths so I think we go for Adding Graham to the pack to replace Faz.

I thought Gale was v poor 1st half and would have been subbed if we had a replacement, but improved in 2nd. Toss up between him and Widdop.

Lomax had slightly better 2nd half and more involved - would have liked to see Ratchford get some time, but unlikely to happen now.

Sarge is best at Fb but I'm concerned he would get targeted with high bombs and come up with errors.

Re: Team to face Australia : Mon Nov 07, 2016 1:41 pm  

I agree. Hand on heart, I think I'd trust Ratchford under the high ball more than Sarge.

Re: Team to face Australia : Mon Nov 07, 2016 1:57 pm  

Dally wrote:

Australia look too mobile for us. They have brought some big guys into their lack to counteract ours but they are much more mobile, unless there is a need for Anfield tickets sales I fear the worst.

I agree, we could put any 17 out there on Sunday and the Aussies will win the game.
If we keep it close (under 12 points) then many will be satisfied. We just don't compare with the Green and Gold.
Our only chance is if the Aussies want a final with some atmosphere. They are basically selecting their final opposition.

Re: Team to face Australia : Mon Nov 07, 2016 2:29 pm  

ant1 wrote:

I agree, we could put any 17 out there on Sunday and the Aussies will win the game.
If we keep it close (under 12 points) then many will be satisfied. We just don't compare with the Green and Gold.
Our only chance is if the Aussies want a final with some atmosphere. They are basically selecting their final opposition.

It does feel that way with how things have gone so far.

I really hope we see some fire and passion at the weekend though, really get stuck into them and try knock them off their game. The problem is, Bennett is trying to get us playing the safety first grind style play that the Aussies do and we are are a far inferior version of that and will lose to them playing it every day of the week. I think we have to be bold and chance our arm a bit, chances are we still lose but it would give us our best hope of the win.

Re: Team to face Australia : Mon Nov 07, 2016 2:33 pm  

I agree we have to get up and smash em. We have to get them riled up. Also, Thurston appeared to be playing with an injury v NZ. We should get up and hit him every time he passes or kicks.

Whilst we need more direction and linking from the halfbacks, we also need more energy and aggression.

Re: Team to face Australia : Mon Nov 07, 2016 2:59 pm  

Having sat through England's torpid displays so far and having seen Australia's second gear display against NZ, I would say that it really doesn't matter who England pick as they have no chance.

Bennett has not been able to motivate the team to perform in either game yet. My strong suspicion is that like most Australians who come over to Britain looking for easy money, he will bail when the going gets tough.

Get a British coach, who can motivate players, in the job for the World Cup before this freeloader does any more damage to our game.

Re: Team to face Australia : Mon Nov 07, 2016 3:57 pm  

Him wrote:

I agree we have to get up and smash em. We have to get them riled up. Also, Thurston appeared to be playing with an injury v NZ. We should get up and hit him every time he passes or kicks.

Whilst we need more direction and linking from the halfbacks, we also need more energy and aggression.

agree about the halves, a few more wide running angles from the back rowers would help and options to try and open up the possibility of a bit of space out wide, they haven't had a great deal to work from so far to be fair. we have to look to find our centres more as we know Hall and McGillvary can finish. I just don't think it really fits in with Bennetts game plan to play a bit more off the cuff, but is our only outside chance of getting the points we will need to win imo.

Re: Team to face Australia : Mon Nov 07, 2016 4:14 pm  

Aboveusonlypie wrote:

Having sat through England's torpid displays so far and having seen Australia's second gear display against NZ, I would say that it really doesn't matter who England pick as they have no chance.

Bennett has not been able to motivate the team to perform in either game yet. My strong suspicion is that like most Australians who come over to Britain looking for easy money, he will bail when the going gets tough.

Get a British coach, who can motivate players, in the job for the World Cup before this freeloader does any more damage to our game.

The fact that Bennett got the gig suggests he was the best candidate for the job.
Nobody really rated McNamara but, he was doing just as well as Bennett and he was a fair bit better with the media but, who do you think would be up to or wanting the job.
Looking at the top of SL (which should be where the better coaches are), we have Wane, Smith (who is unlikely to take the job again), Radford & Cunningham (neither are anywhere near ready and are just finding their way as SL coaches or Powell.
So realistically Wane or Powell and do either of them want the job ??
Outside them you have Betts or Harris and they wouldn't be an improvement.

So, please tell us which British coach we should appoint.