12 replies to this topic

[ParisSurtout]

The Squad has been announced:


Full backs: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Jarryd Hayne

Wings: Brett Morris,
Centres: Willie Tonga, Brent Tate, Chris Lawrence,

Halves: Darren Lockyer ©, Todd Carney, Cooper Cronk, Kurt Gidley,

Backrowers: Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis, Greg Bird, Anthony Watmough, Sam Thaiday, Nate Myles,
Props: Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, David Shillington, Matthew Scott, Petero Civoniceva, ,
Hookers: Cameron Smith, Robbie Farah, Dean Young

Obviously one of the fullbacks is going to play on the wing, as they have done already in State of Origin.

Australia is missing their four best centres, namely Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Michael Jennings and Jamie Lyon. Willie Tonga and Brent Tate are the third choice centres, pending the return to best form of Mark Gasnier! The Australian strength in depth in that position is amazing, because they are each better than Shenton and Atkins.

In the backs the only talent England has that is close to that of the Australians' standard is Sam Tomkins.

So can England win its game against Australia in the forwards?

Edited by ParisSurtout, 05 October 2010 - 07:03 AM.

[AndyCapp]

The Squad has been announced:


Full backs: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Jarryd Hayne

Wings: Brett Morris,
Centres: Willie Tonga, Brent Tate, Chris Lawrence,

Halves: Darren Lockyer ©, Todd Carney, Cooper Cronk, Kurt Gidley,

Backrowers: Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis, Greg Bird, Anthony Watmough, Sam Thaiday, Nate Myles,
Props: Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, David Shillington, Matthew Scott, Petero Civoniceva, ,
Hookers: Cameron Smith, Robbie Farah, Dean Young

Obviously one of the fullbacks is going to play on the wing, as they have done already in State of Origin.

Australia is missing their four best centres, namely Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Michael Jennings and Jamie Lyon. Willie Tonga and Brent Tate are the third choice centres, pending the return to best form of Mark Gasnier! The Australian strength in depth in that position is amazing, because they are each better than Shenton and Atkins.

In the backs the only talent England has that is close to that of the Australians' standard is Sam Tomkins.

So can England win its game against Australia in the forwards?

Justin Hodges has barely played in two years, Jennings is not in front of Tonga in the pecking order, Greg Inglis has had the worst year of his NRL career, Lyons should not even be considered.
The English Forwards are not much different than last year, Australia will hold the forwards and use their backs, England does not really have that luxury in the backs as they will be more than matched in defense and lack the strike power in attack.
Tonga is quality and has only missed selection in many Tests through injury similar to Tate.
They could have picked Gasnier and Cooper if they wanted.
Sheens has already stated he would not have a problem playing Hayne or Boyd in the Centres if need be, they have both had experience there and Bennett is considering moving Boyd to Stand off next season.

Edited by AndyCapp, 05 October 2010 - 08:03 AM.

[goldcoaster]

England can definitely beat this team.

[thirteenthman]

I'm only surprised they didn't pick Scott Prince - he's had another good year for the Titans. I can never understand why Kurt Gidley keeps getting picked. I understand it's for his utility value, but they have plenty of blokes in the backs who can fill different positions.

It's always unwise saying any Australian team isn't a strong one, but I genuinely think that this Kangaroo squad isn't as good as previous years. England have the pack to match, if not beat the Aussies, the problem lies in the backs. You look at the Aussie backs and they've still got the likes of Slater, Lockyer, Hayne and Tate.

[AndyCapp]

England can definitely beat this team.

But they won't, aiming to make the final is the goal England should have and take it from there.

[AndyCapp]

I'm only surprised they didn't pick Scott Prince - he's had another good year for the Titans. I can never understand why Kurt Gidley keeps getting picked. I understand it's for his utility value, but they have plenty of blokes in the backs who can fill different positions.

It's always unwise saying any Australian team isn't a strong one, but I genuinely think that this Kangaroo squad isn't as good as previous years. England have the pack to match, if not beat the Aussies, the problem lies in the backs. You look at the Aussie backs and they've still got the likes of Slater, Lockyer, Hayne and Tate.

The pack dominance was sprouted in 2008 and the results were embarrassing.
Last year again and Australia tore England apart in the first half of the first fixture and the second half of the second.
If they combined both halves it would have been a Cricket score.

We will see, if the English pack does lay a platform can the backs capitalize?
2 from 6 tries by the backs in the last two meetings with Australia.
That is an unusual statistic that suggests either the forwards did not dominate or the backs can not match what is in front of them.

[shrek]

The pack dominance was sprouted in 2008 and the results were embarrassing.

Couldn't agree more, I think we have such high hopes of the forwards as we are so weak in the backs!

[thirteenthman]

Couldn't agree more, I think we have such high hopes of the forwards as we are so weak in the backs!

You've probably got a point there. The depressing thing about the backs is that there isn't really that much to choose from anyway.

[AndyCapp]

I wish it was not the case.
Maybe more young backs need to try their hand in the NRL rather than stay in a comfort zone, I am thinking Shenton, McGuire and company before they get too old, Mcguire is already past his use by date in the NRL.

[thepimp007]

an on form martin gleeson would have a real go against them centres yet, steve mac believes tony clubb can!

[bangersandmash]

an on form martin gleeson would have a real go against them centres yet, steve mac believes tony clubb can!

Totally agree - started to show glimpses of what he's capable of in GF. Our only centre who can really trouble the Aussies on his day.

A lot of Quins fans don't even think Tony Clubb is the best centre in the team!

Edited by bangersandmash, 05 October 2010 - 11:41 AM.

[Cliffy Lyons]

Our backs have no chance against the Aussies end of ! We dont have one decent back to trouble the Aussies in any position. The selection of the six 'clubman' from Huddersfield sums this squad up. While we have a good selection of up and comming young backs none of them are in the same class as the Aussies. Look at all the fullbacks playing in the NRL and take the worst three. Yes you have guessed it they are all better than anything we can turn out !


Players like Robinson, Griffin, Club etc are just decent club players but we dont have a decent creative international half back available for selection OMO. And that includes Tomkins and Eastmond.

[petero]

I have watched practically every NRL match this term due to Premiersports coverage and really I wonder were the theory that our pack is superior to the Aussies and the kiwi's comes from?

In general their forwards are more mobile tackle harder, run harder and without any shadow of a doubt each and every one is battle hardened to a fine degree.

I would imagine that the pack could configure itself like the following

Civoneciva
Smith
Learoyd Lahr's
Thaiday
Lewis
Gallen.

Subs
Farah
Scott
Shillington
Watmough.

Believe me that is probably an improvement on the Queensland SOO pack that looked so formidable in that series in mid-season.

There is not a weakness there to be found and that set of forwards would possibly be the equal of most if not all Aussie packs that have preceeded it.
It is a fallacy and a stupid one at that, to make believe that our pack is vastly superior and that the poorness of our backs is the one and only reason we will not be seen as favourites to win.

I expect we will perform better than our last visit down under but as far as the forwards proving that they are better than the others, I do not think it will happen. Good luck to them but do not expect too much, one win V PNG could be our best hope again.