Cumbrian Fanatic 1,013 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 Sean O'Loughlin is out of the Lions tour due to Injury https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/50034410 This will probably be the end of his international career I'd have thought. With Burgess out I guess we'll be looking at James Graham as captain Quote 100% League 0% Union Just because I don't know doesn't mean I don't understand Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulwalker71 2,138 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 He's surely got to be announcing his international retirement. We're building to a World Cup that he won't be playing in - it's time to move on 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Man of Kent 5,696 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 Sad end to a great player’s service but, to be quite honest, his goose is cooked and I wouldn’t have picked him anyway. 5 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damien 8,010 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 Whilst you never want any player to be injured it's better now than something happening on tour. A great player but his best days are gone now and it was always a dubious selection, that is coming from a huge O'Loughlin fan too. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidM 8,161 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 You don’t say ... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeordieSaint 5,659 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 2 minutes ago, Man of Kent said: Sad end to a great player’s service but, to be quite honest, his goose is cooked and I wouldn’t have picked him anyway. Completely agree. However, I’d like to go on record and say O’Loughlin for England has been immense; an excellent player and deserves a lot of praise and recognition. 5 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
17 stone giant 1,038 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 I don't know whether he was deserving of a place on merit, but I'm sad that injury has deprived him of the possibility of being selected. Having had to miss the world cup final, it must be a double blow to now miss the Great Britain tour. A great player and I wish him a speedy recovery. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidM 8,161 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 8 minutes ago, Cumbrian Fanatic said: Sean O'Loughlin is out of the Lions tour due to Injury https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/50034410 This will probably be the end of his international career I'd have thought. With Burgess out I guess we'll be looking at James Graham as captain Widdop ? Hodgson ? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Futtocks 12,652 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 I am a great fan of him, and feel a little shame in thinking that this is sort of a blessing in disguise. Given his injury record, it is better that he's out of the squad now, than picking up a tour-ending injury Down Under and leaving GB a man short with matches to play. And there some very tasty potential replacements waiting for their chance to rip in at international level. 2 Quote "Men will be proud to say 'I am a European'. We hope to see a day when men of every country will think as much of being a European as of being from their native land." (Winston Churchill) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dunbar 7,225 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 The cynic in me says he has been told he should make an announcement about being injured and ruled out as a face saving measure for not being selected. 3 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidM 8,161 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 13 is an interesting spot and key to how you play . SOL out , big Sam out . So who’s spot is it now I wonder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dunbar 7,225 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 1 minute ago, DavidM said: 13 is an interesting spot and key to how you play . SOL out , big Sam out . So who’s spot is it now I wonder I expect him to play a big middle there with a good engine. So Luke Thompson for me. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cumbrian Fanatic 1,013 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 10 minutes ago, Dunbar said: The cynic in me says he has been told he should make an announcement about being injured and ruled out as a face saving measure for not being selected. Got to admit, that had crossed my mind Quote 100% League 0% Union Just because I don't know doesn't mean I don't understand Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EagleEyePie 219 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 On merit he hasn't been good enough to get into the GB squad. He's not even Wigan's best loose forward this year. To me it just shows how well respected he is that rather than being simply omitted from the squad they've provided a press release. From a Wigan perspective it's the news I was hoping for. If he's going to play for Wigan again next year he needs a full off season to be anywhere near his best again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Futtocks 12,652 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 (edited) The 2019 Dream Team had Knowles at 13, and he's likely to be on his way Down Under anyway as part of the Welsh Nines squad. His nationality would also add to the GB-ness of the line-up. But I'm sure Bennett has already made his own contingency plans for that position, as So'L was never 100% guaranteed to be fit. Edited October 13, 2019 by Futtocks Quote "Men will be proud to say 'I am a European'. We hope to see a day when men of every country will think as much of being a European as of being from their native land." (Winston Churchill) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidM 8,161 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 5 minutes ago, Dunbar said: I expect him to play a big middle there with a good engine. So Luke Thompson for me. Back row of bateman, whitehead, thompson? Certainly wouldn’t find much better 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dunbar 7,225 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 Just now, DavidM said: Back row of bateman, whitehead, thompson? Certainly wouldn’t find much better Yes, I like that. And we have a pretty strong front row rotation with Walmsley back to his best now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Futtocks 12,652 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 3 minutes ago, DavidM said: Back row of bateman, whitehead, thompson? Certainly wouldn’t find much better Certainly wouldn't like to play against that trio. Quote "Men will be proud to say 'I am a European'. We hope to see a day when men of every country will think as much of being a European as of being from their native land." (Winston Churchill) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old Frightful 5,717 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 9 minutes ago, Futtocks said: The 2019 Dream Team had Knowles at 13, and he's likely to be on his way Down Under anyway as part of the Welsh Nines squad. His nationality would also add to the GB-ness of the line-up. But I'm sure Bennett has already made his own contingency plans for that position, as So'L was never 100% guaranteed to be fit. Was he born in Barrow in Flintshire in fairness? I think we should be told. Back to the topic of this thread, will we see a resurfacing of this month's "RL World cover" thread? 1 Quote RADFORD OUT! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hullfan 227 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 I like him but I'm sort of glad he's missing out, we've got to think about the long term Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhinos78 301 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 41 minutes ago, Dunbar said: I expect him to play a big middle there with a good engine. So Luke Thompson for me. Agreed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rupert Prince 975 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 1 hour ago, DavidM said: 13 is an interesting spot and key to how you play . SOL out , big Sam out . So who’s spot is it now I wonder The role of 13 seems to have died out. SOL began as a ball player 13/auxiliary nr6. But has evolved into a hybrid 13/ middle as he got bigger/older. So given the way the game has gone, and in the absence of Harry Pinner type, then nr 13 will be effectively an extra prop (ie as suggested, Thompson). I guess the argument is whether the replacements will be 3 "props" plus 2nd hooker. Or 2. I suggest Graham as captain. Interestingly enough Graham is on the verge of entering SOLs age & fitness time frame. I hope he keeps it going for a bit longer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bedfordshire Bronco 1,177 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Cumbrian Fanatic said: Sean O'Loughlin is out of the Lions tour due to Injury https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/50034410 This will probably be the end of his international career I'd have thought. With Burgess out I guess we'll be looking at James Graham as captain Sad for him, good for us GB/England fans he won't be playing Take him as an assistant coach? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rupert Prince 975 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 Makinson also out and Roby doubtful. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidM 8,161 Report post Posted October 13, 2019 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Rupert Prince said: Makinson also out and Roby doubtful. Yeh shame that . Good to see tommy go down there and show some of those ignorant doubters from last year what he can do , and what we know he can do . I wonder who the next can of the rank will be there ....I guess it would be Clark with Hodgson as to the hookers Edited October 13, 2019 by DavidM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
