Four Nations Selection - Eastmond, Myler & Tomkins, ....one, two, all or none? Options

[Scubby]

Straight forward thread really - although you could possibly add Ratchford into the mix as he has been very impressive also.

Do you think any of the young half backs deserve a place in the squad - and if so which ones? Myler was the first of the bunch to get selected but Tomkins and Eastmond have come on quite a bit this season. Could Smith actually pick all three in the squad for the 4 Nations to give them experice?

Who though is a genuine chance of playing? Personally, I don't think you could leave Tomkins out. At this stage of his career he would be a great impact from the bench. Not seen too much of Myler recently due to Salford not appearing much on the box.


This post has been edited by Scubby: Aug 25 2009, 09:11 AM

[Pottsy]

Straight forward thread really - although you could possibly add Ratchford into the mix as he has been very impressive also.

Do you think any of the young half backs deserve a place in the squad - and if so which ones? Myler was the first of the bunch to get selected but Tomkins and Eastmond have come on quite a bit this season. Could Smith actually pick all three in the squad for the 4 Nations to give them experice?

Who though is a genuine chance of playing? Personally, I don't think you could leave Tomkins out. At this stage of his career he would be a great impact from the bench. Not seen too much of Myler recently due to Salford not appearing much on the box.

And yes, I've seen the typo in the thread title

One. Probably Tomkins. Probably from the bench initially.

[Wellsy4HullFC]

Tomkins and Myler in the Wales game, see how they go. What other 6s have we got that haven't already had chance after chance? Think that's what clinches it for Tomkins. Burrow has done well for GB in the past on more than one occassion so should be given a bit of a run. Don't think Myler or Eastmond are there yet (Eastmond has struggled to fill Long's boots so far).

[Exiled Wiganer]

I wonder whether Myler's defence is up to it. I would play Eastmond at 1 or on the wing, and Tomkins off the bench in the halves.

[EastLondonMike]

i think i dgo for eastmond.. purely based on his physical attributes, in that he's built like a brick you know what.. and against the aussies i think that will count for a lot.. if any play the aussies and kiwis will target them, i just think eastmond would be better equipped to deal with it.. last few times burrow has played against aussie opposition he's been smashed out of the game (the manly game springs to mind).. i fear the same would happen to myler or tomkins..

[Optimus]

See the following thread.

http://www.totalrl.com/index.php?showtopic...20&start=20

Brough, McGuire Tomkins off the bench as cover for the halfs

[Father Ted]

The main problem with International selection is that Tony Smith is still in charge.
For the Eng v France game Myler was ahead of Tomkins in the pecking order, whether he will be after the play offs I'm not so sure.
I'm pretty convinced Smith will go for experienced players in the halves,Burrow and McGuire being selected, with Pryce not getting a mention. Brough could come in too.
I think there will be only one newcomer in the halves and Tomkins could well get the nod in preference to Myler.
Eastmond isn't fit and won't be playing first team due to Long's return.
Ratchford doesn't get the credit he deserves. He, like Myler, could do with going to a bigger club.
In answer to the thread question I'd say Tomkins just ahead of Myler.

[Dave T]

The main problem with International selection is that Tony Smith is still in charge.
For the Eng v France game Myler was ahead of Tomkins in the pecking order, whether he will be after the play offs I'm not so sure.
I'm pretty convinced Smith will go for experienced players in the halves,Burrow and McGuire being selected, with Pryce not getting a mention. Brough could come in too.
I think there will be only one newcomer in the halves and Tomkins could well get the nod in preference to Myler.
Eastmond isn't fit and won't be playing first team due to Long's return.
Ratchford doesn't get the credit he deserves. He, like Myler, could do with going to a bigger club.
In answer to the thread question I'd say Tomkins just ahead of Myler.

For me Tomkins is the most complete player out of the ones mentioned, however whilst Myler gets lots of stick for his poor defence, Tomkins also has his fair share of misses, although his % completion is far better than Myler.

In the Cup Semi Warrington targeted Tomkins to great effect, and whilst he did some damage with the ball, Wire consistently isolated him and put him up against King, and we know what happened there. I just worry that the Aussies and Kiwis would test him too.

That said, he may be worth a place in the squad, and a decent 2nd choice, as he is undoubtedly talented with the ball. I would also be comfortable with Myler having a shot, as he has looked okay in decent teams against France, who are one of our 4N opponents.

As for Eastmond, I don't think he is there yet. I don't feel he has enough game time, and no way would I play him in a position that he doesn't regularly play. Putting him at fb or on the wing could ruin him. He isn't good enough at half to even provide cover IMHO.

I must admit to not having seen enough of ratchford to have formed an opinion.

[sam]

I wonder whether Myler's defence is up to it. I would play Eastmond at 1 or on the wing, and Tomkins off the bench in the halves.

going on previous results it would seem none of our players defence is up to it... it was an argument used against briers' selection and then we'd proceed to get whipped...

tell mcguire he needs to get the notion he's an international class half back out of his head and he can be our best fb since radlinski

burrow at 7 then 1 of the youngsters at 6...

[Scubby]

I agree that Tomkins is the form player of the three at the moment. I think he would be a real threat from the bench. Pryce has disappointed a little this season but is one of the few class backs that we have. Myler will probably make the squad going on past selections. However, I would like to see Eastmond in there too for a bit of experience. I, like some others on here, am not sure of his best position though.

[Wendall]

Its hard to say whether any or all of Eastmond, Tomkins and Myler will feature.

Myler is in pole position, he has already played at Test level and will be Burrow's main rival for the number 7 jersey.

However both Tomkins and Eastmond have shown better form over the summer months and would deffo be worth a shot from the bench. They are both match winners, but might not yet be ready to play the whole game.

The depressing thing is that my gut feeling is we will see a Pryce/Burrow or McGuire/Burrow combination again in the 4 Nations.

[Saint Toppy]

Let wait until the season is almost over before making a decision on which young players are given a go. Tomkins & Ratchford are showing good form at the moment, Eastmond is struggling with an injury though he is expected back in a few weeks time, and Myler has gone completely off form since he played the international earlier in the season and doesn't currently deserve a place, though that might all change in the next few weeks & months.

[Red Willow]

Myler has lost the plot, his head turned by Offiah, He and Jordan Turner (Hull FC Bound) have both been dropped and played poorly in the reserves V rovers.

Myler has talent, but has gone missing when games got tough (in NL1 as well as SL) quite how much is due to age is difficult. Myler would play well against lesser oposition but wouldn't play him against the top 3 teams. Going to Wire will make or break him.

Ratchford is the more complete player, and is happy to stay (for the timebeing) at Salford.

Tomkins is probably worth a go to see how he performs, these games should be used a s trial for the future. personally would like to see a number of new faces in all positions.

Luke Adamson is my player of the year at Salford and I would love to see him receive a call up.

[The Clan]

Like it or not Danny Brough is the best scrum half in Super League and should be picked ahead of Tomkins, Myler or Eastmond oh and Burrow.

He's probably not the most liked player but he has a winners attitude and the skills to back it up.

The Ausies would love to hate him but they certainly could'nt ignore him.

If we want a scrum half who can display every kick in the book especialy one who does'nt kick to the oppositions full back on the full, then Brough is the only one.

If we want a scrum half who can controll the game, work his forwards around the pitch, link with his backs, take on the line, has enough pace to finish a break, TACKLE! then Brough is the one.

And no I'm not Danny or his dad.

[The Best The Bea...]

None of them, the Aussie three quarters and back rowers would run over them on the edges.

[Dirk Diggler]

I think Smith needs to get his combinations sorted then give guys a chance in that framework.
If he is playing Burrow then I think Myler and Eastmond are not starting because they don't fit as a combination with Burrow. If he wants Pryce at 6 then Tomkins doesn't fit in.
I don't see any point picking Pryce & Burrow as that will take us no where we haven't been before.
Eastmond has the chance as an impact player across the backline but if that isn't his long term place in the plan why ask him to do it?

[warriors08]

Dont no about myler as i haven't seen him play much but defo tomkins should have a run out see how he goes at the international level compared to club level and i think eastmond as well from what ive seen he does an excellent job of filling in for long in fact he might even be better not only does he have the kicking game but he's also very quick off the mark and strong.The only thing i think long has over him is experience.

[Optimus]

Like it or not Danny Brough is the best scrum half in Super League and should be picked ahead of Tomkins, Myler or Eastmond oh and Burrow.

He's probably not the most liked player but he has a winners attitude and the skills to back it up.

The Ausies would love to hate him but they certainly could'nt ignore him.

If we want a scrum half who can display every kick in the book especialy one who does'nt kick to the oppositions full back on the full, then Brough is the only one.

If we want a scrum half who can controll the game, work his forwards around the pitch, link with his backs, take on the line, has enough pace to finish a break, TACKLE! then Brough is the one.

And no I'm not Danny or his dad.

Spot on! And he is on form.
I'd start him with McGuire over Pryce. (Pryce's form is not great at the moment.) Tomkins off the bench as cover for the halfs.
And no I'm not his Mum.

[Optimus]

Dont no about myler as i haven't seen him play much but defo tomkins should have a run out see how he goes at the international level compared to club level and i think eastmond as well from what ive seen he does an excellent job of filling in for long in fact he might even be better not only does he have the kicking game but he's also very quick off the mark and strong.The only thing i think long has over him is experience.

Eastmond can't kick for ****!
Rapid and has an awesome step and turn of pace though.

[Wellsy4HullFC]

Forgot about Brough. Yeah I'd def have him in. His kicking game is immense.