Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Tue Nov 10, 2015 1:12 am  

Graham's passing became a problem at Canterbury when it went from being used sparingly to effectively using him as a halfback on every play. It became increasingly easy to read and in fact slowed down the play considerably as by the time he has passed the defence is set and its very hard to get the ball further wide.

McNamara needs to focus on backs scoring points, not forwards. Having rewatched the tries from the first test, it was a mistake to think that was likely to be repeated. Hardaker's knee aside, every other try NZ would have been really disappointed to let in.

McNamara needs to get the forwards to do their job - make yards and quick PTB. A pass or offload every now and then. But not dominating the play.

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:23 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

Graham's passing became a problem at Canterbury when it went from being used sparingly to effectively using him as a halfback on every play. It became increasingly easy to read and in fact slowed down the play considerably as by the time he has passed the defence is set and its very hard to get the ball further wide.

I disagree - the Dogs are at their best when he is at first receiver. He made the duds that are Hodkinson and Reynolds look good enough to play State of Origin. Only when Graham was missing in the early part of 2015 were they found out for the mugs they truly are when at first and second receiver rather than second and third. No coincidence that when Graham came back into the side and fit again the Dogs looked threatening all the way up to the referee effectively ending their semi-final with a dodgy call vs Roosters.

I do agree however that overkill is bad. Same for any play though. England are not good enough to utilise Graham's strengths to put it bluntly and thus, his touches are often wasted and reflect poorly on him.

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Tue Nov 10, 2015 5:00 am  

That's the point - the Dogs went into overkill on the forwards as halfback thing. They were and are at their best when they mixed it up. When Graham first started passing it set up tries as other front rows weren't used to defending against it. The problem was when they started using it at the expense of their halfbacks. Hodkinson and Reynolds are pretty limited, but it got to the point where they were being cut out of the play by their forwards with Graham at times only playing as a halfback. Its all about balance.

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Tue Nov 10, 2015 10:01 am  

Orrell Lad wrote:

Here's a change for the final test, some aggression! Totally absent from the series so far, say for the exception of SOL's hit on Blair and a couple of big hits from Whare. Seriously needs some biff to kickstart the game on Saturday.

Can I suggest England 'walk up' to the Haka, would at least generate some atmosphere

He's in the squad and probably won't be ever again. If there's one man who would spark this series into life it is Benny! A final hurrah in an England shirt, he'd add that aggression so missing from this series.

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Tue Nov 10, 2015 10:57 am  

BuckleyStreetWire wrote:

He's in the squad and probably won't be ever again. If there's one man who would spark this series into life it is Benny! A final hurrah in an England shirt, he'd add that aggression so missing from this series.

I would start with him and Ferres.Get into their faces for minute one, the start to both tests so far has been laclustre to say the least.

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Tue Nov 10, 2015 2:06 pm  

I watched Saturday's game again and have changed my mind on what I'd change.

Bateman was nowhere near as bad as has been made out. His three drops were due to a slip, a high tackle (not penalised) and a ball strip (penalised). I'd still look to move him out of centre but would play him from the bench in the back row.

On the flip side George Williams struggled far more then I noticed on the day. He looked nervous and tired after a long season. It may be better for him to take him out of the firing line. As a Wigan fan I can't say put Matty Smith in because his forms not warrented it this year so Gale should get a shot.

I would also look to replace Whitehead who's been poor over the two games. I agree that Westwood would be a good, aggressive fit and it could possibly be his final appearance in an England shirt so he'll be fired up.

I'd go-

Hardaker
Burgess Watkins Cudjoe Hall
Widdop Gale
Graham Roby Hill
Westwood Farrell O'Loughlin

Subs
Burgess Cooper Ferres Bateman

We'll have a good shot with that team IMO. I'd be looking to ask Roby to do the 80 mins. I think he can cope with that and still make a big impact.

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Tue Nov 10, 2015 2:49 pm  

I worry that the coach won't make any changes, the problems that most people seem to be able to see in his tactics were apparent after the first test, yet he carried on in the second test with the same squad and tactics.

The players he picked did not fit the tactics he chose, so I have little confidence that even if he does see the light, that he will pick the right players and the right gameplan(s) for this upcoming test. The time has come for a fresh start for England, and hopefully a new coach is appointed over the winter.

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:03 pm  

Saturday is make or break for McNamara. A 20 point win (however it's done) and he keeps the job for at least 12 months. A repeat of the last test and surely he's a gonner. Then what? Push the boat out to bring Sean Edwards back to what "his heart is in"?

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:06 pm  

The dire attacking performance of England requires whole changes in key positions. Steven McNamara must make important changes to the team, and turn to Leeds and a dash of Castleford to turn the tide away from an otherwise inevitable Kiwi win.

Zachary Hardaker

Joseph Burgess, Kallum Watkins, Michael Shenton, Ryan Hall,

Daniel McGuire
Robert Burrow

Sean O'Loughlin,
Liam Farrell, Elliot Whitehead
James Graham, Joshua Hodgson, Christopher Hill

Interchange: Thomas Burgess, Michael Cooper, Carlos Ablett, James Roby

Re: Changes for 3rd Test : Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:37 pm  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:

The dire attacking performance of England requires whole changes in key positions. Steven McNamara must make important changes to the team, and turn to Leeds and a dash of Castleford to turn the tide away from an otherwise inevitable Kiwi win.

Zachary Hardaker

Joseph Burgess, Kallum Watkins, Michael Shenton, Ryan Hall,

Daniel McGuire
Robert Burrow

Sean O'Loughlin,
Liam Farrell, Elliot Whitehead
James Graham, Joshua Hodgson, Christopher Hill

Interchange: Thomas Burgess, Michael Cooper, Carlos Ablett, James Roby

McGuire,Ablett and Burrow are not even in the squad and likely on a beach somewhere. And even if Burrow was selected, he has very rarely played in the halves for the past 3/4 years.