Lions tour 2019 (Merged Threads)

[RP London]

6 minutes ago, Tommygilf said:

Same as the world cup where Bennett insisted on Bateman as a centre

yeah i was hoping that wouldnt have happened this time out though.

[Tommygilf]

1 minute ago, RP London said:

yeah i was hoping that wouldnt have happened this time out though.

I'd have thought an outstanding year in the NRL backrow should have convinced everyone that is his position

[OriginalMrC]

No room in the squad for Regan Grace? This GB team is just an England team. Not unexpected but would've liked to see some representation from other countries (and I don't mean Australia and NZ ) . 

[Tommygilf]

1 minute ago, OriginalMrC said:

No room in the squad for Regan Grace? This GB team is just an England team. Not unexpected but would've liked to see some representation from other countries (and I don't mean Australia and NZ ) . 

I'd have thought considering we're light on wingers Grace would have at least made the squad

[Mattrhino]

So the GB team isn't to include Welsh/Scots and Irish but Australians hmmm

 

[League of XIII]

6 halves... 25% of the squad. Is Mr Bennett clear on the starting 6 and 7?

Could we have a nearly all heritage spine with Coote 1, Austin 6 and Hastings 7? I hope not for the English game's credibility, but based on form alone this would be a good shout. 

I'd go with Lomax 1, Widdop 6, Hastings 7. Also, Graham 13 to fill the ball playing loose forward role. 

[Dunbar]

Based on the squad selected, I would go with the following:

1. Coote

2. McGilvary

3. Connor

4. Gildart

5. Hall

6. Widdop

7. Hastings

8. Walmsely

9. Hodgson 

10. Graham

11. Bateman

12. Whitehead

13. Thompson
 

14. Burgess

15. Hill

16. Clark

17. Jones

I think half backs have to control the game and be creative and Widdop & Hastings have the best kicking games in the squad.  Williams is unlucky to miss out but he is not as good as these two in an all round half back game.  Coote offers more handling at full back than Hardaker and is more of a natural full back than Lomax.

Jones on the bench to cover the back row as both Whitehead and Bateman can do a shift at center in case of injury etc.

Thompson at 13 with a huge engine will allow us to rotate 4 big men in the front row while having three big middles at all times.  Clark to inject some pace from acting half during the game. 

[Loiner]

Must be long time since no Leeds players involved ( not that there was any deserved to be picked). Hall lucky to be in there in mho, only played 2 or 3 games this season.

[hunsletgreenandgold]

53 minutes ago, Mattrhino said:

So the GB team isn't to include Welsh/Scots and Irish but Australians hmmm

 

Philbin is there for the 'craic'. 

It's a shame Morgan Knowles withdrew as he surely would've made the squad. I've no issue with Coote as he declared himself a Scottish international way before he came to Super League and his form warrants it. Personally don't want to go into the heritage debate again as it's been done to death - the rules are the the rules. FWIW my spine would be Widdop, Lomax, Hastings, Hodgson. Whitehead at 13.

Hardaker should be on the bench every game IMO - most versatile player we have. 

[Loiner]

1 hour ago, Exiled Wiganer said:

“No, you hang up.”

anyway, I like that squad. Some very exciting talent. I hope Zak steps up, and builds on the year he has had.

I would have Hardaker at fullback every day of the week. I think he's had a great season at Wigan and seems to have got over his problems.

[Loiner]

11 minutes ago, Dunbar said:

Based on the squad selected, I would go with the following:

1. Coote

2. McGilvary

3. Connor

4. Gildart

5. Hall

6. Widdop

7. Hastings

8. Walmsely

9. Hodgson 

10. Graham

11. Bateman

12. Whitehead

13. Thompson
 

14. Burgess

15. Hill

16. Clark

17. Jones

I think half backs have to control the game and be creative and Widdop & Hastings have the best kicking games in the squad.  Williams is unlucky to miss out but he is not as good as these two in an all round half back game.  Coote offers more handling at full back than Hardaker and is more of a natural full back than Lomax.

Jones on the bench to cover the back row as both Whitehead and Bateman can do a shift at center in case of injury etc.

Thompson at 13 with a huge engine will allow us to rotate 4 big men in the front row while having three big middles at all times.  Clark to inject some pace from acting half during the game. 

That looks a great team Dunbar, couldn't have picked a better one other than Hardaker at fullback.

[Jim Prendle]

Am I dreaming or did I really just see Jack Hughes named in the GB squad?

[GeordieSaint]

No Percival, Knowles or Watts...

Have they stated they are not available or just not picked? Couple of names in the squad who can count themselves very lucky to be in there... the lack of cover on the wing/centre is bizarre.

[DavidM]

If watts is fit then philbin being ahead of him is totally bizarre . Couple of others like Hughes n Trueman personally I’d question , and the strange lack of faith in Percival despite his consistency .

[hunsletgreenandgold]

4 minutes ago, GeordieSaint said:

No Percival, Knowles or Watts...

Have they stated they are not available or just not picked? Couple of names in the squad who can count themselves very lucky to be in there... the lack of cover on the wing/centre is bizarre.

Percival and Knowles withdrew i'm lead to believe. Watts is down there for the 9's so does seem odd he's not in this squad. 

[GeordieSaint]

2 minutes ago, hunsletgreenandgold said:

Percival and Knowles withdrew i'm lead to believe. Watts is down there for the 9's so does seem odd he's not in this squad. 

Watts deserves a place ahead of Hill.

[Jim Prendle]

10 minutes ago, GeordieSaint said:

Watts deserves a place ahead of Hill.

I couldn't agree more.

[OriginalMrC]

1 hour ago, Tommygilf said:

I'd have thought considering we're light on wingers Grace would have at least made the squad

Exactly! And he's good enough to be there. Strange.. 

[Loiner]

15 minutes ago, GeordieSaint said:

Watts deserves a place ahead of Hill.

Definitely, Hill turned into a bit of nasty piece of work.

[Dave T]

I notice Coote was named in the Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifiers. Looking forward to watching him up in Glasgow. Hope he's not too tired from all the travelling.

[Tommygilf]

2 minutes ago, Dave T said:

I notice Coote was named in the Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifiers. Looking forward to watching him up in Glasgow. Hope he's not too tired from all the travelling.

Thats another poor aspect of this whole debacle. The home nations could be playing test matches whilst GB tour, but they should not be World cup qualifiers.

[Dave T]

Is Ratchford injured?

This isnt a question because he is from my team, as many will know I havent always been his biggest fan, but he has been excellent this year, has been a regular part of the England setup for years now, would have suited 9s and would have been a useful utility. And I would choose his presence over Hardaker in a touring squad any day of the week.

[costa]

In the past you could argue that Watts' attitude and professionalism was not up to international standard. I don't think you could say that this season and I think his performances have improved too, so his omission is probably the biggest shock. I can't see how he's suffered from the inclusion of Hastings, Austin & Coote though. Philbin has had a great season so if any of the big men were to make way for Watts then I would point to Chris Hill. 

But we know Bennett likes players who have been in and around the setup and big matches for a while, hence the inclusion of Hughes, Hall and McGillvary (and Ward and O'Loughlin). The exception to this rule is Stefan Ratchford. Is he injured? 

Grace should consider himself unlucky, particularly following the late withdrawal of Makinson. The outside backs certainly look like the weak link. Connor is the nearest thing to a proper centre after Gildart; maybe one of the Canberra lads or Jack Hughes will fill that spot?

My 17 would be:

1. Zak Hardaker

2. Jermain McGillvary

3. Oliver Gildart

4. Jake Connor

5. Ryan Hall

6. Jonny Lomax

7. Jackson Hastings

8. James Graham (c)

9. Josh Hodgson

10. Alex Walmsley

11. Elliott Whitehead

12. John Bateman

13. Luke Thompson

 

14. George Williams 

15. Chris Hill

16. Josh Jones 

17. Joe Philbin

[Exiled Wiganer]

How many Saints players withdrew?

[bobbruce]

2 hours ago, RP London said:

am i blind or are there only 2 recognised wingers (McGilvary and Hall) and 2 recognised centres (Jake Connor & GIldart) in that squad?

I think it’s not ideal but we can cover centres with quite a few players. The problem I see is who would play on the wing if either of those got injured. It isn’t like it was years ago in the modern game wing is a very specialised position.