Re: Can england win the 4nations? : Thu Oct 06, 2011 8:35 am  

How long will it be before pressure is applied to make England win a series for the good of the game.


Looking at how many players from Australia and NZ that are injured or electing for off season surgery, this may be the year.

The game needs England to win a series more than any other sport contested by only 3 teams.

It was supposed to happen a few years ago when NZ were stripped of points for fielding an ineligible player but it was not enough to get GB in the final alas.

With the right referee, the home ground advantage, some imported talent, some dodgy decisions and the rub of the green, England can win.......










Will they?


I doubt it, they are nowhere near good enough. (except the pack, that has been the best pack in the World for 10 years without any success)

Re: Can england win the 4nations? : Thu Oct 06, 2011 9:00 am  

Jonesy wrote:

With the right referee... some dodgy decisions

Unfortunately, with Australia in the tournament, neither of these two are likely to happen

Re: Can england win the 4nations? : Thu Oct 06, 2011 9:04 am  

We have improved in some areas, but the Oz and NZ squads are stronger therefore i doubt it.

Re: Can england win the 4nations? : Thu Oct 06, 2011 9:07 am  

We won't win it, but if we can keep every game close and win against one of NZ/Aus, it will be progress.

Re: Can england win the 4nations? : Thu Oct 06, 2011 9:13 am  

FearTheVee wrote:

We won't win it, but if we can keep every game close and win against one of NZ/Aus, it will be progress.

I agree. We have our best squad out for a while i think, but Australia and NZ seem to be improving also so as long as we are competitive i will be happy.

Re: Can england win the 4nations? : Thu Oct 06, 2011 9:14 am  

no

Re: Can england win the 4nations? : Thu Oct 06, 2011 9:30 am  

if we play NZ in the final then yes we can win it....

Re: Can england win the 4nations? : Thu Oct 06, 2011 9:37 am  

roughyedspud wrote:

if we play NZ in the final then yes we can win it....

If we get to the final it will be a real big ask beating either. Nz are far improved team who are fitter and more disciplined than ever before. The athletic freaks they have brought through now have the guidance and leadership of the likes of Fien, Foran, Marhall and Johnson. We may have done well agaist them over here in the past, but now it is a totally different score with them.

Re: Can england win the 4nations? : Thu Oct 06, 2011 9:55 am  

lol since when did nathan fien become a world beater?

foran,if he plays at all, is likely to be shoved in to the centres...cos like australia NZ have injuries in the 3/4's too....

johnson,while a great looking talent....he only made his 1st grade debut in june....so to already pin him up there is ridiculous

and i'll grant you benji though.....

look...the kiwis don't travel well...never have...plus a 1/4 of the squad have never played test RL before....nothing about this kiwis squad is telling me they are going to reverse their absolute dire record up here....but as is the way with the jakyall & hyde kiwis...they'll probably beat the aussies........and lose to us in hull

and don't get me started on the aussie squad

Re: Can england win the 4nations? : Thu Oct 06, 2011 10:05 am  

roughyedspud wrote:

lol since when did nathan fien become a world beater?

foran,if he plays at all, is likely to be shoved in to the centres...cos like australia NZ have injuries in the 3/4's too....

johnson,while a great looking talent....he only made his 1st grade debut in june....so to already pin him up there is ridiculous

and i'll grant you benji though.....

look...the kiwis don't travel well...never have...plus a 1/4 of the squad have never played test RL before....nothing about this kiwis squad is telling me they are going to reverse their absolute dire record up here....but as is the way with the jakyall & hyde kiwis...they'll probably beat the aussies........and lose to us in hull

and don't get me started on the aussie squad

I think you underestimate Fiens influence on this team. Whether he plays at 9 or 7 he guides the team around the park brilliantly and has been the glue that holds everything together for NZ. In the past when NZ have had injuries to either Jones or Marshall they have really struggled to find a replacement. Now they have Fien plus 2 top young halves in Foran and Johnson. You keep going on about how well we have done against them over here in the past, but this is a different team, that look to have a better attiude and outlook. England have a better and improved squad but so do the other 2.