Are you sure England is better then Samoa?

[bobbruce]

18 minutes ago, Harry Stottle said:

What's your bench Bob? That will be just as important as to who initially takes the field.

McMeekan 

Welsby

Oledski

Farrell

[bobbruce]

5 minutes ago, Mr Frisky said:

The actual team won't be far off that mate.

Our squad isn't as good as 2017 but we have some great talent.

Unlike 2017 when we were packed with top top players, I would say we have 2 genuine world class players in Walmsley and Makemson ( Roby if he hadn't retired from England)

Just behind those is Tomkins Whitehead and Bateman.

I think the squad needs someone as versatile as Ratchford and if he gets some form back, I would love to have a maverick halfback like Gale in the squad - just to put some pressure on Williams who is hit and miss.

Think we will really miss Dodd even so young I think he would’ve really made a difference to the team. With Roby not available it’s a real shame that Clarke and McShane aren’t quite at the level they were a couple of years ago. 

[bobbruce]

12 minutes ago, Young Blood said:

Dom Young pledged his allegiance to Jamaica. Surely if he is  not in your starting team he is nice player but not great. 

To be Honest he wouldn’t get a look in if Johnstone could keep himself fit. 

[Jughead]

Just now, bobbruce said:

To be Honest he wouldn’t get a look in if Johnstone could keep himself fit. 

That’s a thoroughly depressing thought. 

[The Hallucinating Goose]

10 minutes ago, Dave T said:

 

Spot on. This is how it should be. 

Obviously I want Enhland to smash it and win a home World Cup, but if that wasn't to happen then I'd love to see a World Cup Final that isn't made up of Aus, NZ and Eng. 

I think NZ v Tonga is a real possibility, if Samoa click (they often underperform) then they have a chance too. 

I'd still have the Aussies as favourites, they tend to be professional and efficient in these tournaments but as has been shown they are beatable. 

Exactly as it should be. 

I too would still have Aus as favourites. I think I've just tried to be realistic and restrained about my desires from this tournament and I would say the one thing I really dream of from this tournament is having a new team in the final. Not even a new team winning, just getting to the final. If a new team can get to the final then I wouldn't even be that bothered if Aus won yet again. Obviously I hate the Australians and want them to be smashed but realism and all that.

Small steps, a new team in the final would be the biggest thing to happen in the international game for God knows how long and would create a lot of headlines, a lot of publicity and would hopefully grab the attention of a lot of kids in said country who might start playing the game whilst also encouraging a lot of players to choose smaller nations over the usual big 3 which would filter more talent and competitiveness down throughout the game. Obviously a new team winning the tournament would increase all the effects by a million but small steps. 

[Damien]

I think there are a couple of people under the false premise that no one is aware of how good Samoa can be and how poor England could be. I have not heard anyone bigging up England's chances in this World Cup. Indeed most seem rather pessimistic.

There are enough NRL fans on here that know the potential of the Samoa team. However we have been down this road before and Samoa have very often been found wanting. It takes more than just a bunch of big names to be successful at international level and unless Samoa get their off field preparation right, and stay away from KFC, then they wont fulfil that potential.

So no one is taking it for granted that England will win. However I would have them as favourites because if nothing else home advantage is huge and as we have seen time and again Southern hemisphere countries, bar the annoyingly consistent Aussies, dont travel that well.

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

1 hour ago, Dunbar said:

That question probably needs to be rephrased as what is the England team that Shaun Wane will pick.

Which seems to be 'who were the best SL players in 2016'

[The Rocket]

34 minutes ago, Damien said:

It takes more than just a bunch of big names to be successful at international level and unless Samoa get their off field preparation right, and stay away from KFC, then they wont fulfil that potential.

That whole quote is just the sort of statement - with an emphasis on the highlighted part - and I`ve that sort of thing on here several times, is just the sort of thing that coaches love to hang on dressing room walls.

As someone who has been watching Pacific Tests for 30+ years, these aren`t the Pacific Island National teams of the past. 

Mock them at your peril.

[Damien]

9 minutes ago, The Rocket said:

That whole quote is just the sort of statement - with an emphasis on the highlighted part - and I`ve that sort of thing on here several times, is just the sort of thing that coaches love to hang on dressing room walls.

As someone who has been watching Pacific Tests for 30+ years, these aren`t the Pacific Island National teams of the past. 

Mock them at your peril.

Who mocked them? Its a fact that they are notoriously out of condition and poorly coached when it comes to end of season games. Its up to the coaches to sort that out and the same head coach that has failed to do that in the past. Hopefully Parish has learned from his mistakes. It takes attitude and desire to win games, not just talent.

[paulwalker71]

The encouraging thing for the World Cup is precisely that I am NOT sure England are better than Samoa

Going into a WC where we know all the results in advance, and the group stages are warmups for the inevitable semis of Australia, NZ, England + one other, is not what any of us want for International Rugby League

I think it's GREAT that Samoa (or Tonga or Fiji) might beat England (or New Zealand or even Australia)

[Harry Stottle]

1 hour ago, Damien said:

So no one is taking it for granted that England will win. However I would have them as favourites because if nothing else home advantage is huge and as we have seen time and again Southern hemisphere countries, bar the annoyingly consistent Aussies, dont travel that well.

I wouldn't dare to wager any money on any other outcome than Aus walking through the tournament undefeated with a very dominant points for differtial, and I think in years to come some of this crop of Aussie Internationals will be as revered as highly as some of those from yesteryear.

As for England's prospects I think that Mr Wane has a lot of work to do to bring quite a few of his player's up to what will be to all intense and purposes NRL standard against the "better" teams that they are going to meet, I would love to be wrong but I consider reaching the semi's would be the best for us in this tournament.

Edited July 2, 2022 by Harry Stottle

[Barley Mow]

4 hours ago, Gomersall said:

 

I doubt it will have any impact in practice, but according to the origin rules shouldn't this announcement rule him out of the last game for NSW?

Doesn't origin eligibility depend on being available to play for Australia?

[bobbruce]

2 minutes ago, Barley Mow said:

I doubt it will have any impact in practice, but according to the origin rules shouldn't this announcement rule him out of the last game for NSW?

Doesn't origin eligibility depend on being available to play for Australia?

No Tupou has declared he wouldn’t be available for Australia before the tournament started and he’s still getting picked. 

[Gomersall]

4 minutes ago, Barley Mow said:

I doubt it will have any impact in practice, but according to the origin rules shouldn't this announcement rule him out of the last game for NSW?

Doesn't origin eligibility depend on being available to play for Australia?

No.

[UTK]

2 minutes ago, Barley Mow said:

I doubt it will have any impact in practice, but according to the origin rules shouldn't this announcement rule him out of the last game for NSW?

Doesn't origin eligibility depend on being available to play for Australia?

Even though he's come out and said this now his allegiance isn't officially locked in until he's named in the 19-man gameday squad for Samoa, just a couple of months ago To'o indicated he would play for Australia if selected.

While like this could be a definitive statement of his intention for the WC for the purpose of eligibility rules he is still yet to make an election.

[Davo5]

2 hours ago, Young Blood said:

Can anyone who follows the Super League what will beEngland strongest possible team? 

No 

[DavidM]

No I’m not sure we’re a better team but I’ll back us on home soil at the back end of the year . And I hope Samoa and everyone else is as strong as possible . This WC is gonna be the best 

[Davo5]

5 hours ago, AB90 said:

I do agree that a lot of England fans are over looking Samoa as there seem a thought that we are guaranteed to meet the Aussies in the final.

However, that Samoan team you have listed is much stronger that the team they will most probably select as there are some guaranteed Australian players in there.

I don’t think any England fans,especially the ones on this forum are overlooking Samoa & the fact England haven’t played as afull strength side in4 yrs I doubt anyone thinks we are nailed on to reach the final.

[Gomersall]

https://www.intrl.sport/news/to-o-joins-panthers-team-mates-in-committing-to-samoa-for-world-cup/

[Davo5]

1 hour ago, Mr Frisky said:

The actual team won't be far off that mate.

Our squad isn't as good as 2017 but we have some great talent.

Unlike 2017 when we were packed with top top players, I would say we have 2 genuine world class players in Walmsley and Makemson ( Roby if he hadn't retired from England)

Just behind those is Tomkins Whitehead and Bateman.

I think the squad needs someone as versatile as Ratchford and if he gets some form back, I would love to have a maverick halfback like Gale in the squad - just to put some pressure on Williams who is hit and miss.

Gale, maverick halfback,really.

[Mr Frisky]

9 minutes ago, Davo5 said:

Gale, maverick halfback,really.

Yep - when on form and if Williams reverts to his post NRL form we need someone to play off the cuff as that's not Lomax.

[Davo5]

6 minutes ago, Mr Frisky said:

Yep - when on form and if Williams reverts to his post NRL form we need someone to play off the cuff as that's not Lomax.

If your talking about Luke Gale,he hasn’t been on form for years & playing o more “Off the cuff” than Lomax is a puzzling statement given he’s  34 and has lacked fitness & form since 2017.

[Ray Cashmere]

2 hours ago, Mr Frisky said:

The actual team won't be far off that mate.

Our squad isn't as good as 2017 but we have some great talent.

Unlike 2017 when we were packed with top top players, I would say we have 2 genuine world class players in Walmsley and Makemson ( Roby if he hadn't retired from England)

Just behind those is Tomkins Whitehead and Bateman.

I think the squad needs someone as versatile as Ratchford and if he gets some form back, I would love to have a maverick halfback like Gale in the squad - just to put some pressure on Williams who is hit and miss.

Gareth Widdop at fullback, John Bateman at centre and a 33 year old Kevin Brown at scrum half with Chris Heighington off the bench... 

I think the general standard of international competition will be much higher this year but I also think the best 17-20 players Wane could select this year create a much stronger side on paper  

Edited July 2, 2022 by Ray Cashmere

[Oxford]

Are you sure England is better then Samoa?

This is not the right question and would be a thread for those who seem to take delight in belittling English RL and it's players.

Could England beat Samoa yes like most other sides on their day and the same goes for the Aussies .

And NZ look very capable and worth a mention, or are they in the dismiss filing cabinet too?

[Chris22]

Are England better than Samoa? I think so, yes. Does that mean England would beat Samoa? No. I'd make us favourites, but if the same squads played each other 10 times, I'd say England won win about 70% of those. Compared to a few years ago, you would say England would win about 95%+ of matches against Samoa's squad then.

I would be more surprised by a big England win than I would be by Samoa winning. Justification for the decision not to go for the 'super-group' format and a boost for the international game that we don't need an England v Australia opener anymore to grab attention.

Really hope St James' Park sells out and we have a cracking match to open the tournament.