Who'd be your pivot's for Great Britain? : Sat Sep 07, 2019 1:03 am  

Who'd be your 1, 6 and 7 for Great Britain?

These are the positions I'm struggling to choose. What do you think is the best combination?

Players that are likely to be in contention for these positions are.

Players named in the latest squad
Coote
Ratchford
Shaul
Tomkins
Lomax
Williams
Austin
Truman
Connor? (more chance in the centres)

Down under
Widdop

Others
Hardaker
Evalds
Hastings? (not sure if he's put his hat in the ring or not)


I've not seen much of Widdop this year. I know he got injured early on which kept him out for a good while. Can't see Shaul making it, Ratchford is a good player, I'm not sure he's an international player though. Coote's performance in the final has put me off him.

Re: Who'd be your pivot's for Great Britain? : Sat Sep 07, 2019 6:07 am  

Coote is top class, and would be my full back choice.

The half backs are difficult, Austin started the year well and if he regains that form I think he would be a good addition. Likewise, Widdop started well but missed a lot of the year through injury and has returned in mixed form in a poor team. I think it’s one of them at 6.

I’d like to see Truman get the nod, unparalleled talent. But think it will be Lomax at 7.

Re: Who'd be your pivot's for Great Britain? : Sat Sep 07, 2019 6:07 am  

giddyupoldfella wrote:

Who'd be your 1, 6 and 7 for Great Britain?

These are the positions I'm struggling to choose. What do you think is the best combination?

Players that are likely to be in contention for these positions are.

Players named in the latest squad
Coote
Ratchford
Shaul
Tomkins
Lomax
Williams
Austin
Truman
Connor? (more chance in the centres)

Down under
Widdop

Others
Hardaker
Evalds
Hastings? (not sure if he's put his hat in the ring or not)


I've not seen much of Widdop this year. I know he got injured early on which kept him out for a good while. Can't see Shaul making it, Ratchford is a good player, I'm not sure he's an international player though. Coote's performance in the final has put me off him.

Shaul has had a rubbish season, his display against Cas sums his 2019 up. Connor, don't be silly, he hasn't got the temprement to join a touring squad.

Re: Who'd be your pivot's for Great Britain? : Sat Sep 07, 2019 8:45 am  

For the first time in a good while we have true strength in depth in these positions.

At the start to the middle of this decade we pretty much had Tomkins Hardaker and Widdop, with a fill-in playing 7 half the time.

Widdop was England’s best player at the World Cup a couple of years ago. In the final I think he was the best player on the pitch. I don’t know if he’s 100% fit but I think Bennet will play him he’s his main man.

Bennett also likes Lomax. If the rumour is to be believed he rang up Holbrook last year and said “how’s my boy doing?”, asking about Lomax.

I’d obviously love to see Ratchford Widdop and Austin. Which could well happen in at least one game as I don’t think we’ll play the same team right the way through the tour. But that’s with a Wire hat on.

But to be honest, Coote Lomax and Widdop would be a good three. Tomkins Austin and Truman would be fine against PNG.

Also the ‘9’ has some depth too. Obviously Roby is still at his high level... I personally think Daryl Clark, despite all the plaudits he does get, is still the most underrated player in rugby league. I just think he’s truly world class but may be overlooked for Hodgson.

Surprised on the inclusion of Shaul over Evalds. Think that’s harsh!

Re: Who'd be your pivot's for Great Britain? : Sat Sep 07, 2019 10:51 am  

I don't rate Coote personally.
I'd go with:

1. Hardaker/ Tomkins
6. Trueman / Williams
7. Widdop
9. Roby

Re: Who'd be your pivot's for Great Britain? : Sat Sep 07, 2019 11:52 am  

Charlie Sheen wrote:

I don't rate Coote personally.
I'd go with:

1. Hardaker/ Tomkins
6. Trueman / Williams
7. Widdop
9. Roby

Well it won’t be Hardaker, because he’s not even been picked in the performance squad.
The thing with these tours is that players and coaches spend a lot of time with each other, so nobody wants an idiot who is either disliked or likely to do something completely idiotic. So that counts Jake Connor out too.

Re: Who'd be your pivot's for Great Britain? : Sat Sep 07, 2019 12:38 pm  

FB: Coote
SO: Trueman
SH: Lomax

Re: Who'd be your pivot's for Great Britain? : Sat Sep 07, 2019 4:13 pm  

nottinghamtiger wrote:

Well it won’t be Hardaker, because he’s not even been picked in the performance squad.
The thing with these tours is that players and coaches spend a lot of time with each other, so nobody wants an idiot who is either disliked or likely to do something completely idiotic. So that counts Jake Connor out too.

I really can't believe that you're still sooooooooo bitter about Zak being at Wigan, and not at Cas.
You've been stalking him for over twelve months now, time to let go.

Re: Who'd be your pivot's for Great Britain? : Sat Sep 07, 2019 5:20 pm  

Hardaker

Widdop
Lomax

Re: Who'd be your pivot's for Great Britain? : Sat Sep 07, 2019 5:59 pm  

Realistically there is little point calling up Coote and Austin if they aren't going to play.

1 - Coote
6 - Lomax
7 - Austin

Could be Widdop and Austin, but that would be a bit of a joke considering the season Lomax has had. He'd be MOS if there was a proper system in place.