Team selection England v New Zealand 1st test

[MZH]

3 minutes ago, Kirmonds pouch said:

Having watched Percival and our general pattern of play I'm not all that bothered whether TJ plays or not as neither winger will get any real ball.

TJ would be the better choice IMO because he can score from almost any situation and I don't believe Makinson is quite as good at that.

Either way neither will get much of a chance and worse still both could be made to look very bad if the Kiwis get a roll on out wide. Nothing personal but I'd rather for the future of the game and my favourite player see Makinson crash burn out there than TJ (again sorry Mr Makinson but you're not my responsibility).

Surely for the future of the game you would rather see both Johnstone and Makinson doing well and pushing each other on as they compete for a spot? If you want Makinson to crash and burn then that is purely for selfish Wakefield/TJ reasons.

FWIW I agree that neither winger will get much ball. I fully expect Percival and Bateman to be the centres. So it comes down to who can do the other stuff better? Who is a stronger ball carrier, who is better at fielding kicks, who is a better defender? Based on that I am airing towards Makinson. However, if Gildart or Connor was at centre, I would pick Johnstone, because as you say, he is an excellent finisher.

[Rupert Prince]

11 minutes ago, Kirmonds pouch said:

Having watched Percival and our general pattern of play I'm not all that bothered whether TJ plays or not as neither winger will get any real ball.

TJ would be the better choice IMO because he can score from almost any situation and I don't believe Makinson is quite as good at that.

Either way neither will get much of a chance and worse still both could be made to look very bad if the Kiwis get a roll on out wide. Nothing personal but I'd rather for the future of the game and my favourite player see Makinson crash burn out there than TJ (again sorry Mr Makinson but you're not my responsibility).

TJ should play at Hooker.

 

(I'll get me coat...)

[Kirmonds pouch]

1 hour ago, Rupert Prince said:

TJ should play at Hooker.

 

(I'll get me coat...)

Very good

[Kirmonds pouch]

1 hour ago, Dunbar said:

There is so much more to being a modern winger than scoring. This is why McGillvary is recognised as one of the best in the world... it isn't because his finishing is better than Johnstone and Makinson, it is because of all the other work he does. 

As for the second part of your post. Seems like some funny logic to me but each to their own I guess.

I'm not disputing that, I'm just stating the obvious - neither TM or TJ will get much ball and both could be on a hiding to nothing, hence I don't really think it matter who gets picked on either wing so long as they are fairly competent. That said the Kiwi outside backs would take some stopping by anyone end of.

[Rupert Prince]

2 hours ago, Kirmonds pouch said:

Very good

I have to say that in hindsight I rather like the moniker TJ, not sure why I should but it sounds cool.  So fair doos if Mr Johnston wants to appropriate it.

Sadly I don't think RP scans anything like as well. 

[RP London]

On 10/19/2018 at 4:05 PM, Rupert Prince said:

I have to say that in hindsight I rather like the moniker TJ, not sure why I should but it sounds cool.  So fair doos if Mr Johnston wants to appropriate it.

Sadly I don't think RP scans anything like as well. 

I strongly disagree 

[Rupert Prince]

23 minutes ago, RP London said:

I strongly disagree 

Unless your middle name is Ian, I suppose... 

[RP London]

2 hours ago, Rupert Prince said:

Unless your middle name is Ian, I suppose... 

darn it, it isnt!

[Dunbar]

Wayne Bennett quoted on England Rugby League Twitter feed saying that Tomkins won't play fullback because "Lomax is a good fit there".

I thought it was definitely between Tomkins and Ratchford for the number 1 jersey but unless he is playing a few mind games it looks like Bennett has other ideas.

[Rupert Prince]

6 minutes ago, Dunbar said:

Wayne Bennett quoted on England Rugby League Twitter feed saying that Tomkins won't play fullback because "Lomax is a good fit there".

I thought it was definitely between Tomkins and Ratchford for the number 1 jersey but unless he is playing a few mind games it looks like Bennett has other ideas.

Both have utility qualities. Its plausible that Tomkins can play at 7.

[graveyard johnny]

1 hour ago, Rupert Prince said:

Both have utility qualities. Its plausible that Tomkins can play at 7.

he could but the kick off is at 2.30

[thirteenthman]

1 minute ago, graveyard johnny said:

he could but the kick off is at 2.30

The old ones are the best 

[DavidM]

I’d guess Tomkins will play halves with Williams

[Lowdesert]

12 minutes ago, DavidM said:

I’d guess Tomkins will play halves with Williams

He had a good game in the semi final and showed some glimpses of old, but I doubt  he will play at FB.  Frankly, I wouldn’t have him in but HB seems the obvious space.

Quite a poser really.

[Dunbar]

I'm surprised Bennett is looking at Lomax at 1. Ratchford is the incumbent from Denver and he is bringing form into the series.  

Fascinating to see how Bennett will go for 1, 6, 7

[DavidM]

5 minutes ago, Lowdesert said:

He had a good game in the semi final and showed some glimpses of old, but I doubt  he will play at FB.  Frankly, I wouldn’t have him in but HB seems the obvious space.

Quite a poser really.

Yes , I’ll admit that was a wild guess . Connor is around so where he puts him ?

[graveyard johnny]

if the kiwis come to show off and everything sticks I think without sam burgess we may be in for a trashing in this series

[Damien]

I really wouldn't like to see Lomax there. He isn't good enough at international level and offers nothing.

[wackojacko]

Don't rate Lomax. I'd like either Tomkins or Ratchford, think they offer more in nearly every department (and have been playing fullback this year).

[Man of Kent]

Going by Bennett’s press conference it looks like it might be Lomax at 1, Connor at 6, Williams at 7 and Makinson wing.

[thepimp007]

On 10/18/2018 at 7:40 PM, DavidM said:

He’ll have a field day against Bateman . He’ll take him with movement skill and pace . He shoved off Mitchell . We need to get out of this mindset no other country has of containment with round pegs in square holes like this . You can defend centre for centre , but it also gives you the attacking edge you’re taking away with Bateman there . And specialist centres can also provide for their winger which he couldn’t do as he’s a fish out of water . He’s a fine edge forward and people say well it’s only one position out - really it’s totally different . Please don’t do it again Wayne !

Would have an even bigger field day against Percival for definite

[graveyard johnny]

when are the teams announced?

[EastLondonMike]

Don't think Bennett will spring any surprises. Gildart's recent inclusion, due to the injury of Sam Burgess, suggests to me he wont be considered for a starting spot. Connor and Williams in the halves will not work, neither has it in their game to take control of a test match. Which suggests Tomkins will play in the halves, most likely with Williams. Think Bennett will go with:

1. Lomax

2. McGilvary

3. Connor

4. Percival

5. Makinson

6. Williams

7. Tomkins

8. Graham

9. Hodgson

10. Burgess 1

11. Whitehead

12. Bateman

13. O'Louhjlin

14. Burgess 2

15. Hill

16. Thompson

17. Clark

 

Gildart and Myler to miss out.

I hate to admit it, but i have a horrible feeling about this series. Think a number of our players will be exposed by this Kiwi squad.

Still, can't wait for Saturday. Gonna be a chilly one in Hull apparently.

[Gerrumonside ref]

http://nzrl.co.nz/unchanged-squad-for-first-test-against-england/

NEW ZEALAND KIWIS

1 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK (Penrith Panthers) captain

2 KEN MAUMALO (Vodafone Warriors)

3 ESAN MARSTERS (Wests Tigers)

4 JOSEPH MANU (Sydney Roosters)

5 JORDAN RAPANA (Canberra Raiders)

6 SHAUN JOHNSON (Vodafone Warriors)

7 KODI NIKORIMA (Brisbane Broncos)

8 JESSE BROMWICH (Melbourne Storm)

9 BRANDON SMITH (Melbourne Storm)

10 JARED WAEREA-HARGREAVES (Sydney Roosters)

11 KEVIN PROCTOR (Gold Coast Titans)

12 ISAAC LIU (Sydney Roosters)

13 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS (Penrith Panthers)

Interchange:

14 KENNY BROMWICH (Melbourne Storm)

15 LEESON AH MAU (St George Illawarra Dragons)

16 MARTIN TAUPAU (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)

17 ADAM BLAIR (Vodafone Warriors)

18 JAHROME HUGHES (Melbourne Storm)

19 JOSEPH TAPINE (Canberra Raiders)

 

HEAD COACH | MICHAEL MAGUIRE

[usain bolt]

Gildart 3, Connor 4, William's 6, Tomkins 7 apparantly. Percival left out of the 13, cant see him being bench either, it'll be Clarke I'd think with myler also missing out.