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SaintsFan wrote:

I didn't see that until I got back from the match and watched it back. It was funny!

The build up was good actually and the band and chorus were really lucky that it stayed dry. But everything went downhill once the whistle blew!

Whoever plays the St George mascot is fantastic. He was very entertaining.

Yeah I agree with you. It's a shame that it wasn't a dry night, Exiles clearly wanted to play expansive rugby and it could have been vey entertaining. Hopefully the weather will be better in 3 weeks time and we'll see a better standard of play.

SaintsFan wrote:

I don't think it is going to work as a fixture because there isn't the rivalry there. Had it been England -v- Hock that would have worked (except for the tiny little number of Wigan fans who turned up). However, a lot of Saints fans didn't know who to cheer for. We cheered when Meli scored his try and when Roby saved one! And most fans were not excited by the England team. McNamara is losing the fans by repeatedly choosing the halfbacks he is choosing along with other ridiculous recruitment options. And then the style of play is so wooden it's unbelievable. Makes Saints look like the most creative, flamboyant team in the land.

I've always been negative towards McNamara during his time as a super league coach as I didbt think he was a good coach.

However, his time as England coach I'd slightly warmed towards him for some good forward thinking, the exiles concept was his idea and begged all super league clubs to back the concept (which in theory is great idea), he also was the brain behind the knights which again is great idea but last nights team selection turned me against him again!

How can he put Ablett in the centre and not pick Goulding? Goulding and charnley had formed a very good partnership and in all honesty had been the form pairing in super league.

How can he pick rangi chase in the halves before lomax, brough and Danny maguire? Chase has been terrible this year and no way should have been picked.

How can he pick sinfield in the halves before the likes of lomax, brough and maguire? He will never make a out and out halfback as long as he lives.

Where was hill from the wolves? He's been outstanding this year and deserves a shot before any if the props last night.

Over Mossop? Are you serious?

millsywwrl wrote:

Over Mossop? Are you serious?

Who mentioned over mossop? Do you only play with one prop? Do you know that most teams have 4 props in their 17?

millsywwrl wrote:

Over Mossop? Are you serious?

On this years form Mossop shouldnt be anywhere near the England setup

St pete wrote:

I've always been negative towards McNamara during his time as a super league coach as I didbt think he was a good coach.

However, his time as England coach I'd slightly warmed towards him for some good forward thinking, the exiles concept was his idea and begged all super league clubs to back the concept (which in theory is great idea), he also was the brain behind the knights which again is great idea but last nights team selection turned me against him again!

How can he put Ablett in the centre and not pick Goulding? Goulding and charnley had formed a very good partnership and in all honesty had been the form pairing in super league.

How can he pick rangi chase in the halves before lomax, brough and Danny maguire? Chase has been terrible this year and no way should have been picked.

How can he pick sinfield in the halves before the likes of lomax, brough and maguire? He will never make a out and out halfback as long as he lives.

Where was hill from the wolves? He's been outstanding this year and deserves a shot before any if the props last night.

Ablett to be fair had a fairly decent game. He offered more than the much touted Ryan Atkins who looked pretty ordinary all night.

I suspect in the second match we will see one or two changes to the first match lineup.

For me these matches are in effect trials were Mcnamara trys a few new combos out to see how they workout.

Ultimately we know the full test team will be different as there will be 2 x Burgess, Graham, Ellis,and Reid all probably in the final squad.

The Chair Maker wrote:

Ablett to be fair had a fairly decent game. He offered more than the much touted Ryan Atkins who looked pretty ordinary all night.

I suspect in the second match we will see one or two changes to the first match lineup.

For me these matches are in effect trials were Mcnamara trys a few new combos out to see how they workout.

Ultimately we know the full test team will be different as there will be 2 x Burgess, Graham, Ellis,and Reid all probably in the final squad.

Just find it strange he picked a backrow centre

St pete wrote:

Just find it strange he picked a backrow centre

I think Mcnamara is looking for that all important squad utility player who can cover both second row and centre if called upon.

I dont think he is in line as a starting player but instead one to bring along as part of a 25 man squad in case injuries hit.

When your picking a 25 man tour squad you have to select a few utility players as there just arent the spaces in the squad to have specialist cover for every position.

The Chair Maker wrote:

I think Mcnamara is looking for that all important squad utility player who can cover both second row and centre if called upon.

I dont think he is in line as a starting player but instead one to bring along as part of a 25 man squad in case injuries hit.

When your picking a 25 man tour squad you have to select a few utility players as there just arent the spaces in the squad to have specialist cover for every position.

He went on record before the game and said this is the team he wanted apart from the players in the NRL.

He's got a centre thats on fire in Goulding and also has great understanding with the England and Wigan winger josh charnley.

He didn't treat it as a trial or he'd have give uncapped England halves brough and lomax a go instead of the already tried and failed pairing of sinfield and rangi chase.

[bewareshadows]

I think England selection does have something of a lag effect. Players not playing well do tend to get picked more on previous form than current. The situation with so many Leeds players making the side, is an example of this and Sinfield playing at halfback.

But what are we going to do, this belief in 'class' over form is something that is hard to shift.