I do think all this flapping over Hodgson 'starting' over Roby is a bit old skool. It was clear in the first test that there will be a 3 way rotation involving the 2 of them and Lockers. Roby of the three is more dangerous against a team starting to show fatigue around the ruck, there isn't a coach around who simply picks his best 13 with the 4 subs as also rans. We looked a genuine threat against the Aussies in the 2nd half with all of them on, there were pivots all across the line.
As many have said, and has unfortunately been obvious, Bateman is a solid workhorse at centre but is regularly guilty of having blinkers on with the ball in hand. In every game at least once he's had his winger in a better position than himself and failed not just to make the pass, but to even look if his winger is there. He can't be blamed for it, out of position, but it's frustrating when both our wingers are up there with the best in their positions in this tournament.
Kevin Brown - he's an easy target for folk citing Wire's shambles last year, but the team looked the most balanced it has been all tournament with him on the field last weekend. You can't ask for players to be picked on form and ignore that. Williams will get plenty of caps over the next few yrs, I have to admit to a bit of relief that he has not been relied on too heavily this early in his career. I genuinely don't think he's ready to shoulder that burden.
