England Vs Samoa - Your Team

[Dunbar]

If the squad numbers offer any insight (and I think they do with England) then I think Welsby will start at 6.

Which means that it is Willams or Sneyd for 7. 

I would probably have tipped Williams to start (not preferred, tipped) but with only one specialist hooker named in the squad he needs to have a plan to spell McIllorum as he isn't an 80 minute international player any more.

So, it's either using Radly to spell McIllorum and have him and Knowles on the pitch at the same time or use Williams.

I don't see any value of Sneyd on the bench.  I would start Welsby and Sneyd and use Williams off the bench as impact.

[StandOffHalf]

1 minute ago, Dunbar said:

If the squad numbers offer any insight (and I think they do with England) then I think Welsby will start at 6.

Which means that it is Willams or Sneyd for 7. 

I would probably have tipped Williams to start (not preferred, tipped) but with only one specialist hooker named in the squad he needs to have a plan to spell McIllorum as he isn't an 80 minute international player any more.

So, it's either using Radly to spell McIllorum and have him and Knowles on the pitch at the same time or use Williams.

I don't see any value of Sneyd on the bench.  I would start Welsby and Sneyd and use Williams off the bench as impact.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Knowles or Radley filling in at 9 while McIlorum is spelled.

I slightly differ from you in that I can't see Wane benching an old favourite of his in Williams. I think Sneyd will partner him and Welsby will offer spark, energy and utility from the bench.

[usain bolt]

Are we feeling underwhelmed by the 19 wane has picked, or are we thinking wow, this is the team to get the job done, and could possibly win it with these lads 

[boris74]

The couple of niggles mentioned could well include Ackers but Mickey Mac was always starting hooker either way, it's how Wane wants us to play, very aggressive down the middle. Radley to spell at hooker. I suspect it will be a Williams and Welsby half back pairing, but the kicking game of Sneyd must be tempting against the big Samoan forwards.

KPP the 18th man to cover both back and forward HIA injuries? Has the versatility.

 

 

[Tex Evans Thigh]

19 minutes ago, EastLondonMike said:

Agree. Though think Sneyd will start and Welsby off the bench, who has more utility value. Looking forward to it though.

Be such a waste having probably our best player on the bench. Yeah, I can’t wait.

[Dunbar]

13 minutes ago, StandOffHalf said:

I wouldn't be surprised to see Knowles or Radley filling in at 9 while McIlorum is spelled.

I slightly differ from you in that I can't see Wane benching an old favourite of his in Williams. I think Sneyd will partner him and Welsby will offer spark, energy and utility from the bench.

If that is the case, I would have thought Wane would have given the 6 squad number to Williams.

[Dunbar]

I find it deeply frustrating that without these stupid squad numbers we would be discussing the two teams now and the possible match outcomes and not still thinking about selections.

[StandOffHalf]

13 minutes ago, Dunbar said:

If that is the case, I would have thought Wane would have given the 6 squad number to Williams.

I hadn't really factored in the squad number situation, to be honest.

I was just trying to look at the three players as I think Wane will.

I feel he'll have Williams starting and bring Welsby on in the second half. Could Williams then move to hooker at 50-55 minutes, with England ending with a 1, 6, 7, 9 of Tomkins, Welsby, Sneyd and Williams? That might be Wane's plan.

Edited October 13, 2022 by StandOffHalf

[Jim Prendle]

2 hours ago, Tex Evans Thigh said:

Sadly, I fear Wane’s Wigan bias will end up costing us. He seems desperate for that Tomkins, Williams, McIllorum spine. 

Interesting in that none of those players actually play for Wigan.

[bobbruce]

5 hours ago, AB90 said:

Yeah I agree. If Sneyd is in the squad I assume he starts as he’s not exactly an ‘impact’ off the bench style player.

Still a couple of players to drop out of that squad. 

[FearTheVee]

Disappointed to see McIlorum set to be England’s hooker. I don’t think he’s even a top SL hooker anymore to be honest, he’s very very average.  Added to that, he can also be a liability.

Hope he has a blinder but unless Ackers has a knock it looks a strange one to me.

Edited October 13, 2022 by FearTheVee

[tjhrads93]

1 hour ago, StandOffHalf said:

I hadn't really factored in the squad number situation, to be honest.

I was just trying to look at the three players as I think Wane will.

I feel he'll have Williams starting and bring Welsby on in the second half. Could Williams then move to hooker at 50-55 minutes, with England ending with a 1, 6, 7, 9 of Tomkins, Welsby, Sneyd and Williams? That might be Wane's plan.

I seem to think Williams will go 9 to spell with the hooker. Not sure if he has done it too often but a (potential) kicking game at 9 may help to turn the big guys around.

As an aside I am so giddy for this game and the tournament, really cannot beat international rl.

I see Samoa starting well but if we can keep it tight I feel we may take control towards the back end of the first half and keep the advantage through the game.

[northamptoncougar]

I think missing Al & Mic is a huge blow to our forward pack. 
 

oledski has to be carrying a significant injury, you can get away with 3 weeks rest after this weekend. 

[graveyard johnny]

I imagine every single kick that Samoa put in will now be going towards Dom Youngs side 

[FearTheVee]

12 minutes ago, graveyard johnny said:

I imagine every single kick that Samoa put in will now be going towards Dom Youngs side 

Meh so what. He’s one of the two best available wingers so he plays. Simple as that.

[Dunbar]

1 hour ago, StandOffHalf said:

I hadn't really factored in the squad number situation, to be honest.

Well, we are being constantly told that Australia made a mockery of the system by not namimg their first choice 1 to 13 and all the other nations have... so Welsby is the number 6!

[StandOffHalf]

1 minute ago, Dunbar said:

Well, we are being constantly told that Australia made a mockery of the system by not naming their first choice 1 to 13 and all the other nations have... so Welsby is the number 6!

I amn't really focusing on the numbers on the backs this year, haha. Sneyd with a much lower number really throws all these numbers into question, especially if he starts at scrumhalf and kicks England to victory.

I hope you are right and Welsby starts, because I think England's chances shoot up with him on from the outset.

[JM2010]

54 minutes ago, graveyard johnny said:

I imagine every single kick that Samoa put in will now be going towards Dom Youngs side 

That could backfire though. He brings the ball back well so should get us on a roll. If it's a broken line he could make some big yardage 

[StandOffHalf]

3 minutes ago, JM2010 said:

That could backfire though. He brings the ball back well so should get us on a roll. If it's a broken line he could make some big yardage 

Second or third carries, yes. Not so much when he catches. It might be a profitable tactic for Toa Samoa to pepper him with kicks and see how he holds up.

[graveyard johnny]

4 minutes ago, StandOffHalf said:

Second or third carries, yes. Not so much when he catches. It might be a profitable tactic for Toa Samoa to pepper him with kicks and see how he holds up.

if i was Samoa coach it would be high ball put up to deal with on that side every time last tackle - worth 3 tries alone 

[Tex Evans Thigh]

2 hours ago, Jim Prendle said:

Interesting in that none of those players actually play for Wigan.

Come on.

[Dunbar]

56 minutes ago, graveyard johnny said:

if i was Samoa coach it would be high ball put up to deal with on that side every time last tackle - worth 3 tries alone 

Yes, that tactical kicking genius Anthony Milford is going to terrorise Young.

Your constant downer on the English players without any consideration for the quality of the opposition does grate johnny.

[Mojo]

Paul Kent rant incoming but luckily nrl 360 is done for the year. Would've been nice to see him play this weekend for samoa at lock. Good to see him commit for samoa after this World cup

[Jim Prendle]

1 hour ago, Tex Evans Thigh said:

Come on.

Come on what?

How can you accuse Wane of a Wigan bias when none of the players you name actually play for Wigan?

Yes, they played for Wigan in the past, but so what? 4 Saints players in the squad, is that not a Saints bias?

[Davo5]

6 hours ago, Tex Evans Thigh said:

Sadly, I fear Wane’s Wigan bias will end up costing us. He seems desperate for that Tomkins, Williams, McIllorum spine. 

You mean Wane’s Catalan & Warrington bias.