MattSantos

I think i agree with this. Penrith are the new Melbourne; you could take players out of that collective and they're not as good elsewhere. I listened to a podcast a few year back where an ex Aussie RU international was talking about studies on relationships within team sports and the conclusion was that a cohesive team is better than a talented team. Is this Penrith and therefore goes to explain why Cleary and Yeo just werent that good at Origin?

Solid. Struggle at 1, 6 & 7 too much to even threaten the big 3.

Canberra wont make the 8. Might be a good thing as Whitehead could just do with a rest given the ay he plays.

England. Any news on Farnworths injury? Will he be fit?

Sexy wasnt it.

In what sense? Either Brown is or he isn't one of the best players in the comp. Ah, do you mean that Parra could fall out of the 8 now Moses is not playing and it's all on Brown and Arthur so they could fall out of the 8 and i'll look silly because i said they'll finish 7th or 8th?

Brown is one the best players in the comp man!

Coates should play 1 wing. Then you have Cobbo, Gagai & Holmes and maybe Addo Carr on reflection battling for other spot. Depends on who they pick at centres. Suaalii is perhaps a tad too young/ inexperienced just now.

I agree re Knowles, if you're a solid middle, you usually aren't that great on an edge at that level. Who are the better edge options? Not sure of form, but Bateman nailed on for 1 spot i would imagine.

Wow. It's late in Sydney isn't it. You used much 3 times.

Parramatta. They'll likely finish 7th or 8th. Their spine is Gutherson, Brown, Moses, Mahoney and Matterson. Brown is the 5th best player in this list.

I couldn't be bothered to remember the spelling of Doueihi tbh, On Brown, yeah, he's one of the best players in the NRL. I'd be surprised if he's top 50...! Jeez Louise.

Would massively agree with this.

Manu when he's played at 6 has been better. As as Burton, Luai, Cody Walker and maybe even Dearden. To say that Brown is one of the best players in the NRL is absolutely deluded. I'd rather have Wighton and even the fella at Wests whose name escapes me than Brown. Dylan Brown. Jesus.

I think Radley could be a decent 9 for England and gives us mongrel yet mobility in the middle as well. Would love to see Roby give it one last crack.

I've not seen Lomax in a few years. What type of 6 is he?

You would have thought with the 6 again rules, Cook would be truly excelling, but we (i) just dont see that he's kicked on. Still a wonderful player, but i'd go Grant and Koroisau ahead of him.

If you're saying Brown is one of the best players in the NRL then you need your head examined. Seriously? I like Hughes, but yes, injured now and possibly rushed back for playoffs. Not great prep, but i'm saying this more in hope as i alluded to. Who was playing hooker when Smith scored? It wasn't Smith.

I don't watch SL, but there appears to be a lack of 'old school leadership' in that 17. Also, not sure of Williams at 6. That suggests you'd split the halves, but then you're taking away from Tomkins being 1st man both sides which i like the idea of.

NZD look strong. But, Hughes has been injured a fair bit and Brown at 6 isn't inspiring and whilst he's very good, there's a reason why Smith doesnt play 9 for Melbourne. It's the hope that kills you.

Lets hope you're picking the team then Why would you carry a traditional 14 and a 7 on the bench? Addo-Carr gets no where near a Aussie squad this year. As an England fan, i'd also like to see Jake at 10.

I dont think Cook is as good as he once was, but Grant is a brilliant 9 and yes, with Koroisau as a potential 14, that would be worrying.

Was Young injured during origin? All of those players i mentioned played edge during origin. Agree on your spine, especially at 1, 9 and 13. Depends on the selections at 6 and 7.

Who are Woolf's assistants? Is Wellens still there?

Martin, Kaufisi, Capewell, Murray, Matterson, Nanai, Crichton, Arrow are all better Aussie edge back rowers. At 13, you'd have Yeo, Cotter, Carrigan, and Jack T. As i said, i hope both are picked as i'd laugh for 3 weeks and England would have significantly more chance of winning if Meninga goes all weird.