Combined Nations All Stars Squad

[M j M]

1 minute ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said:

I do think they should have had the SL fixtures not on the Friday though. Why can't they be played across Sat/Sun for this weekend? 

This is essentially what Sinfield is saying here - Leeds have been ok with the request to release five players for the international but that gives them the right to postpone the Salford game on Friday.

If it gets flipped to the Sunday Leeds will also get five players back from quarantine.  Salford aren't keen on that switch which is fair enough but it looks like the options are play on Sunday or cancel on Friday.

Putting the Covid stuff to one side whoever is responsible for the SL fixtures being this weekend is the real guilty party here. To make it easy shall we just blame Elstone?

https://www.therhinos.co.uk/2021/06/22/sinfield-calls-for-game-to-come-together-for-the-good-of-clubs-and-country/

[wilsontown]

8 minutes ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said:

Yes that is my thinking

We know that if internationals are played then then the Prem has less stars for that week. Same in cricket. I really don't sed the problem with releasing players.

I do think they should have had the SL fixtures not on the Friday though. Why can't they be played across Sat/Sun for this weekend? 

Or we could do what soccer does - there (usually) aren't problems with players being released by their clubs because the premier league and championship don't play when there are international fixtures scheduled. It wouldn't be too hard to arrange but we make the international game look like an afterthought.

[Damien]

4 minutes ago, wilsontown said:

Or we could do what soccer does - there (usually) aren't problems with players being released by their clubs because the premier league and championship don't play when there are international fixtures scheduled. It wouldn't be too hard to arrange but we make the international game look like an afterthought.

If we had a thriving international scene I can see how free weekends for internationals may be an issue. However we are literally talking about 1 weekend during the season. It really shouldn't be too much to ask.

[Just Browny]

If England were playing a proper team, like France or Wales or Scotland, the clubs wouldn't have a leg to stand on in terms of blocking it because it would be proper international rugby.

As it is, they are playing a scratch team who we will all have forgotten about by next month. Frankly I can't blame any clubs who are being stubborn, especially in terms of providing players to the All Stars squad and if they have a game of their own the same weekend.

The fact this would be a mess was obvious as soon as they announced it.

[wilsontown]

At the risk of going too far cross-code, England RU regularly play a game against the Barbarians. Despite this being a game against a cobbled-together side who have been on the booze for the last 10 days (Barbarians, for the avoidance of doubt) this is a fixture that attracts wide TV interest and a decent crowd. We ought to be able to come up with something better than that, but we don't really seem to be trying.

[Scubby]

39 minutes ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said:

Yeah I think they won't sell full allocation of 4/5000. Tickets are still buyable

For England's first home international in 3 years  What does that tell you about what is going on here? I'll give allowances for the challenges they have faced but really this is so poorly thought out.

[Archie Gordon]

It's embarrassing. There are community games being arranged for this weekend all over the country where teams are trying to get 17 players fixed up for a match. That the same thing is happening with an 'international' is awful. 

Expecting to see 24-0 go up on rugby-league.com in a day or two.

[Hela Wigmen]

Should they be naming the exiles squad today? 

[DoubleD]

20 minutes ago, Hela Wigmen said:

Should they be naming the exiles squad today? 

It's been named. Some stellar selections, which will have people rushing to get tickets - Liam Kay, Nathan Peats, Pauli Pauli and Junior Moors (is he still playing?)...................interesting that McGillvary is also in the squad, wasn't he also in England's squad? 

What a shambles.................

[Sir Kevin Sinfield]

St Helens, the only team players could be selected from who don’t have a game, haven’t had a single player selected, or more likely refused to have their players take part.

Combined Nations All Stars 19-player squad

Jake Connor (Hull FC), Kenny Edwards (Huddersfield Giants), Jackson Hastings (Wigan Warriors), Liam Kay (Wakefield Trinity), Kruise Leeming (Leeds Rhinos), Ricky Leutele (Huddersfield Giants), Peter Mata'utia (Castleford Tigers), Suaia Matagi (Castleford Tigers), Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants), Junior Moors (Featherstone Rovers), Pauli Pauli (Salford Red Devils), Nathan Peats (Leigh Centurions), Matt Prior (Leeds Rhinos), Chris Satae (Hull FC), Andre Savelio (Hull FC), Aidan Sezer (Huddersfield Giants), Ken Sio (Salford Red Devils), Kelepi Tanginoa (Wakefield Trinity), Luke Yates (Huddersfield Giants)

[wilsontown]

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/combined-nations-all-stars-squad-20874925

[Chris22]

30 minutes ago, Sir Kevin Sinfield said:

Combined Nations All Stars 19-player squad

Jake Connor (Hull FC), Kenny Edwards (Huddersfield Giants), Jackson Hastings (Wigan Warriors), Liam Kay (Wakefield Trinity), Kruise Leeming (Leeds Rhinos), Ricky Leutele (Huddersfield Giants), Peter Mata'utia (Castleford Tigers), Suaia Matagi (Castleford Tigers), Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants), Junior Moors (Featherstone Rovers), Pauli Pauli (Salford Red Devils), Nathan Peats (Leigh Centurions), Matt Prior (Leeds Rhinos), Chris Satae (Hull FC), Andre Savelio (Hull FC), Aidan Sezer (Huddersfield Giants), Ken Sio (Salford Red Devils), Kelepi Tanginoa (Wakefield Trinity), Luke Yates (Huddersfield Giants)

Oh dear. There are so many questions! Why are so many of the better players not in? Have clubs refused to release? Why is one of England's top try scorer playing against us?

This is deeply embarrassing. Only saving grace is capacity limits will excuse the awful crowd.

[Sir Kevin Sinfield]

2 minutes ago, Sir Kevin Sinfield said:

St Helens, the only team players could be selected from who don’t have a game, haven’t had a single player selected, or more likely refused to have their players take part.

Combined Nations All Stars 19-player squad

Jake Connor (Hull FC), Kenny Edwards (Huddersfield Giants), Jackson Hastings (Wigan Warriors), Liam Kay (Wakefield Trinity), Kruise Leeming (Leeds Rhinos), Ricky Leutele (Huddersfield Giants), Peter Mata'utia (Castleford Tigers), Suaia Matagi (Castleford Tigers), Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants), Junior Moors (Featherstone Rovers), Pauli Pauli (Salford Red Devils), Nathan Peats (Leigh Centurions), Matt Prior (Leeds Rhinos), Chris Satae (Hull FC), Andre Savelio (Hull FC), Aidan Sezer (Huddersfield Giants), Ken Sio (Salford Red Devils), Kelepi Tanginoa (Wakefield Trinity), Luke Yates (Huddersfield Giants)

The side looks stronger than England IMO

1 Jake Connor

2 Jermaine McGilvary

3 Peter Mata’utia

4 Ricky Leutele

5 Ken Sio

6 Jackson Hastings

7 Aidan Sezer 

8 Suaia Matagi

9 Kruise Leeming

10 Matt Prior

11 Kenny Edwards

12 Pauli Pauli

13 Luke Yates

 

14 Chris Satae

15 Andre Savelio

16 Kelepi Tanginoa 

17 Nathan Peats

 

18 Junior Moors

19 Liam Kay

[Dave T]

1 - Jake Connor (Hull FC)

2 - Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants)

3 -  Peter Mata'utia (Castleford Tigers)

4 - Ricky Leutele (Huddersfield Giants)

5 - Ken Sio (Salford Red Devils)

6 - Jackson Hastings (Wigan Warriors)

7 - Aidan Sezer (Huddersfield Giants)

8 - Matt Prior (Leeds Rhinos)

9 - Kruise Leeming (Leeds Rhinos)

10 - Suaia Matagi (Castleford Tigers)

11 - Kenny Edwards (Huddersfield Giants)

12 - Chris Satae (Hull FC)

13 - Andre Savelio (Hull FC

Reserves from:

Liam Kay (Wakefield Trinity), Junior Moors (Featherstone Rovers), Pauli Pauli (Salford Red Devils), Nathan Peats (Leigh Centurions), Kelepi Tanginoa (Wakefield Trinity), Luke Yates (Huddersfield Giants)

 

Looks a strong enough team to me to give England a good game.

[Sir Kevin Sinfield]

6 minutes ago, Chris22 said:

Oh dear. There are so many questions! Why are so many of the better players not in? Have clubs refused to release? Why is England's top try scorer playing against us.

This is deeply embarrassing. Only saving grace is capacity limits will excuse the awful crowd.

Ryan Hall is England’s top try scorer. Players have clearly refused to release players.

[Dave T]

7 minutes ago, Chris22 said:

Oh dear. There are so many questions! Why are so many of the better players not in? Have clubs refused to release? Why is England's top try scorer playing against us.

This is deeply embarrassing. Only saving grace is capacity limits will excuse the awful crowd.

Who are the big stars who are missing?

[RigbyLuger]

Any team with Pauli Pauli in it is not stronger than England.

[Damien]

10 minutes ago, Chris22 said:

Oh dear. There are so many questions! Why are so many of the better players not in? Have clubs refused to release? Why is England's top try scorer playing against us.

This is deeply embarrassing. Only saving grace is capacity limits will excuse the awful crowd.

Maybe players don't want to play in a nothing game. The only players that I can see the risk of playing being worthwhile is the potential England players with a point to prove.

[Dave T]

Wire - 5

Leeds - 5

Hudds - 5

Wakefield - 4

Saints - 4

Wigan - 3

Cas - 3

Hull - 3

Catalans - 2

Salford - 2

Leigh - 1

Fev - 1

So which clubs haven't released players?

[Spidey]

3 minutes ago, Dave T said:

Wire - 5

Leeds - 5

Hudds - 5

Wakefield - 4

Saints - 4

Wigan - 3

Cas - 3

Hull - 3

Catalans - 2

Salford - 2

Leigh - 1

Fev - 1

So which clubs haven't released players?

Tim Sheens approached Saints for the Combined Nations and was declined 

[Dave T]

Just now, Spidey said:

Tim Sheens approached Saints for the Combined Nations and was declined 

I'd be surprised if Saints were only interested in themselves.

[Spidey]

1 minute ago, Dave T said:

I'd be surprised if Saints were only interested in themselves.

I think the real salt in the wounds is the fact Saints aren’t playing this weekend 

[Sir Kevin Sinfield]

29 minutes ago, Dave T said:

Who are the big stars who are missing?

You’ve got to think that at least one of Coote at full back, Regan Grace on the wing, Kevin Naiqama at centre, Theo Fages at half back, Agnatius Paasi at prop or Sione Mata’utia in the 2nd row would have been good enough to make the squad. 

[Chris22]

20 minutes ago, Dave T said:

Who are the big stars who are missing?

In their respective positions, I would rather have seen non-English players selected. If you are relying on Championship players to fill an All Stars squad, then it is not worthy of the name, in my view.

To answer your question, in place of English players (or indeed other non-English players) we could have seen:  Coote, Grace, Parcell, Takarangi, Mamo, Clark, Hurrell, Martin, Tetevano, Paasi, Mau, Fonua, Sao, Yaha, Bousquet and Garcia, to name a few.

 

[Sir Kevin Sinfield]

20 minutes ago, Dave T said:

Wire - 5

Leeds - 5

Hudds - 5

Wakefield - 4

Saints - 4

Wigan - 3

Cas - 3

Hull - 3

Catalans - 2

Salford - 2

Leigh - 1

Fev - 1

So which clubs haven't released players?

Not the full story. It looks to me as though some have agreed for certain players to for England (but not at hooker) but refused their players for the All Stars. Are you saying the players I’ve mentioned below are not good enough to get in the side?

Coote at full back, Regan Grace on the wing, Kevin Naiqama at centre, Theo Fages at half back, Agnatius Paasi at prop or Sione Mata’utia in the 2nd row.