Re: Best England team for Four Nations : Tue Aug 23, 2016 11:10 am  

Wilde 3 wrote:

Westwood??

Yeah, adds the size, grunt and experience in the back row. This will probably be Westwood and SOL's last major series but both will still add a lot imo.

Re: Best England team for Four Nations : Tue Aug 23, 2016 1:08 pm  

James Roby should be fourth choice hooker. It's a shame we don't have that depth in the centres.

Re: Best England team for Four Nations : Tue Aug 23, 2016 1:18 pm  

I expect O'Loughlin to be involved and I'd also have Westwood in.

At hooker Roby has to drop down the pecking order for me, Hodgson to start and Clark interchange.

Selection problems really are the back. Centres is a huge issue, I've been hanging on for Reed's availability but looks like he may be crocked for good. Watkins is likely to get a game but was woeful last year for England. Sarginson/Cudjoe/Atkins teh likely other choices. Real shame Shenton is out.

Re: Best England team for Four Nations : Tue Aug 23, 2016 1:57 pm  

Currie is a good shout to play centre.

Tomkins
Hall
Atkins
Watkins
McGilvary
Williams
Gale/Smith
Graham
Hodgson
Hill
Bateman
S Burgess
SOL

is how I can see the 13 lining up.

Re: Best England team for Four Nations : Tue Aug 23, 2016 2:28 pm  

A unknown superstar wrote:

Currie is a good shout to play centre.

Tomkins
Hall
Atkins
Watkins
McGilvary
Williams
Gale/Smith
Graham
Hodgson
Hill
Bateman
S Burgess
SOL

is how I can see the 13 lining up.

Whitehead will get a back row slot. his quality performances in a Canberra side going for the premiership will not have gone unnoticed by Bennett for sure. Its difficult, because all of a sudden we have see real back row options again. unfortunately, and it seems harsh but i don't see a place in the line up right now for Currie or Bateman barring injuries or playing them out of position at centre but they will be in the squad for sure and will be around for many years to come so their turn will come.

Re: Best England team for Four Nations : Tue Aug 23, 2016 3:08 pm  

I forgot about Whitehead in all honesty. Personally I'd play Sam Burgess at 13 and sack SOL off. But we all know that won't happen.
Whitehead will get a bench spot.

Re: Best England team for Four Nations : Tue Aug 23, 2016 3:39 pm  

A unknown superstar wrote:

I forgot about Whitehead in all honesty. Personally I'd play Sam Burgess at 13 and sack SOL off. But we all know that won't happen.
Whitehead will get a bench spot.

Fair enough. I'm just glad we have finally got some real headaches and some quality players are going to be left out which ever side gets picked if we are picking from near fit squad.

Re: Best England team for Four Nations : Tue Aug 23, 2016 6:32 pm  

Aye the forwards can really match the Kiwis and Aussies. Shame the backs are seriously lacking in sheer talent.

Re: Best England team for Four Nations : Wed Aug 24, 2016 12:36 am  

It is a shame because that's where the points come from. Regardless of who he picks, I'd hope the main change for England under Bennett in the short-term will be attitude against Australia - i.e. not playing scared.

I just don't see that we have the backs to get enough points against Aus (or stop them scoring them).

Re: Best England team for Four Nations : Wed Aug 24, 2016 6:58 am  

Willzay wrote:

James Roby should be fourth choice hooker. It's a shame we don't have that depth in the centres.

Based on what?

The Saints pack this year hasnt been great in comparison to others, and even playing on the back of a beaten pack/slow ruck Roby has been outstanding yet again.

Interesting when you compare his season stats with Houghton (for example) who is no doubt higher up your pecking order for the England 9 shirt and touted as a MOS candidate:

Defending:
Houghton 1130/56 misses, 95% tackles made
Roby 962/31 misses, 97% tackles made

Attacking:
Houghton 230 carries, 1448 metres, 6.3m avg gain, 32 tackle busts, 3 clean breaks, 7 tries
Roby 294 carries, 2201 metres, 7.4m avg gain, 41 tackle busts, 7 clean breaks, 4 tries

Whilst Houghton has made more tackles, Roby still managed an impressive amount with less misses on average. With ball in hand, Roby is far better & offers far more than Houghton. When you bear in mind Houghton has played on the back of the best pack in SL (don't really recall seeing Hull's forward pack not on top many times this season) and their go forward I would have expected more with the ball from Houghton. Don't get me wrong I think Houghton is a very good player, but still not ahead of Roby (same opinion currently of Daryl Clark).

Imo the 2 England hookers should still be Hodgson and Roby interchanging