Re: England vs Samoa : Fri Nov 01, 2024 12:12 pm  

--[ WW ]-- wrote:

In isolation those players may be better than Marshall, but is Wardle + Marshall a more effective defensive and attacking force than Wardle + any of those other 3?

It is a moot point for this series, but it should be given consideration for the series next year when that left side could be Marshall - Wardle - Nsemba - Smith

It’s a fair point but personally I still think Marshy will be relying on those 3 ahead of him at the moment to pick up knocks if he is to force his way into the starting 13 for England.

Short term though with Young and Johnstone being out he gets his chance to represent England and I’m looking forward to him hopefully having a top game and pushing himself up the pecking order.

In reality we have some pretty good depth in the wing position and by the time the Aussies come over in 2025 there could be a few more names pushing for a spot too.

Re: England vs Samoa : Sat Nov 02, 2024 9:45 am  

Looking like Nsemba is starting looking at England social media he’s been presented with the 12 shirt.

Re: England vs Samoa : Sun Nov 03, 2024 1:09 pm  

Any idea what happened to Havard? looked like he may have been injured.

Otherwise pretty good. All our guys did well, especially Thompson and Nsemba.

Farnworth is world class.

Can't wait for game 1 of the ashes

Re: England vs Samoa : Sun Nov 03, 2024 4:04 pm  

Farnworth won't be shifting from left centre so Wane will have to decide between shifting Wardle to the right or sticking with a specialist right centre in Newman.

Re: England vs Samoa : Sun Nov 03, 2024 4:15 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

Farnworth won't be shifting from left centre so Wane will have to decide between shifting Wardle to the right or sticking with a specialist right centre in Newman.

Firstly Wardle will need to be available. Something feels slightly off with his absences from internationals time and again. Hopefully injuries every time these games come around are just a coincidence and not a case of him not really fancying it. I can't help but wonder with his character if he's a lad who doesn't want to spend time away from home and his family. It would be a shame if that is the case.

Re: England vs Samoa : Sun Nov 03, 2024 4:26 pm  

Herbie has been played at right centre in the NRL, although you'd think he'd prefer the left, where he has spent most of his time.

Re: England vs Samoa : Sun Nov 03, 2024 6:52 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Firstly Wardle will need to be available. Something feels slightly off with his absences from internationals time and again. Hopefully injuries every time these games come around are just a coincidence and not a case of him not really fancying it. I can't help but wonder with his character if he's a lad who doesn't want to spend time away from home and his family. It would be a shame if that is the case.

Saw Wardle with O’Loughlin before the game at Wigan and he was noticeably limping.

Re: England vs Samoa : Sun Nov 03, 2024 7:08 pm  

stpatricks wrote:

Saw Wardle with O’Loughlin before the game at Wigan and he was noticeably limping.

Likely a sad coincidence this run of injuries around internationals then. He must be hugely frustrated with it all. Whatever it is, I hope he's available for the Ashes, then the World Cup and beyond. Watching Farnworth was mouthwatering and if you could get him and Wardle on either side, you really are running with a special pair of centres.

Re: England vs Samoa : Mon Nov 04, 2024 8:25 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

Likely a sad coincidence this run of injuries around internationals then. He must be hugely frustrated with it all. Whatever it is, I hope he's available for the Ashes, then the World Cup and beyond. Watching Farnworth was mouthwatering and if you could get him and Wardle on either side, you really are running with a special pair of centres.

Playing devil's advocate here a little, but is Harry Newman not a specialist centre? I know people will have different views on his ability / attitude but there's no doubt he can play.

Either way, with Farnworth nailed on for 1 centre spot, we've got some good competition for the other centre plus Percival at Saints could still do a job (i know he's latter end of his career), and we've Eckersley coming through the ranks at Wigan (still long way to go before he'll get considered for internationals?)

Re: England vs Samoa : Mon Nov 04, 2024 8:35 am  

Mark_P1973 wrote:

Playing devil's advocate here a little, but is Harry Newman not a specialist centre? I know people will have different views on his ability / attitude but there's no doubt he can play.

Either way, with Farnworth nailed on for 1 centre spot, we've got some good competition for the other centre plus Percival at Saints could still do a job (i know he's latter end of his career), and we've Eckersley coming through the ranks at Wigan (still long way to go before he'll get considered for internationals?)

The poster said special centres not specialist centres.

Yes Newman is a centre but going off the last couple of seasons he’s not a patch on Wardle all though to be fair he does go well for England.