England vs Samoa Series

[Dave T]

22 minutes ago, Archie Gordon said:

Just as we see huge rises in digital engagement and great crowds/viewing figures for SL, we now seem to be presented with the lowest key England Test series ever. 

Take it you haven't been an RL fan for long.

[Dunbar]

2 hours ago, DavidM said:

I’m sure this has been covered and I’ve missed it but why just two tests ?

Yes, it was covered in detail.

Can be summarised by saying two tests are better than none.

[Loiner]

For what its worth I think there are a few in that squad that can count themselves lucky. Newman done sod all for Leeds this season, Bateman in on reputation, Clark, Hill, Lees, McMeekin passed it.

 

[StandOffHalf]

Matty Lees is 26. I'm not sure you could in any way consider him ''past it''.

I would have had him behind Harrison and Mulhern, but advancing years wouldn't have been the reason.

[Hopie]

I don't have any real faith in this coach, and I think some of these selections confirm my concerns in that area.

Chris Hill was pushing it in 2017, he stayed in due to loyalty rather than form, I have no idea how he still keeps getting picked.

[MrIzzard]

2 hours ago, Loiner said:

For what its worth I think there are a few in that squad that can count themselves lucky. Newman done sod all for Leeds this season, Bateman in on reputation, Clark, Hill, Lees, McMeekin passed it.

 

Hill still gets in over quite a few possibles doesn't bode well for Oledski not even heard his name mentioned and I just don't see what Bateman offers anymore slow and lost his bite.

[Loiner]

3 hours ago, StandOffHalf said:

Matty Lees is 26. I'm not sure you could in any way consider him ''past it''.

I would have had him behind Harrison and Mulhern, but advancing years wouldn't have been the reason.

Regarding Lees ment to say nowhere near good enough, sorry.

[Loiner]

1 hour ago, MrIzzard said:

Hill still gets in over quite a few possibles doesn't bode well for Oledski not even heard his name mentioned and I just don't see what Bateman offers anymore slow and lost his bite.

Shaun Wane doesn't like Oledski for whatever reason, but he hasn't justified selection either to be honest.

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

11 hours ago, Archie Gordon said:

https://www.rugby-league.com/article/63206/england-squad-named-for-samoa-series

No Wardle. Otherwise predictable.

Ticket sales: South Stand at Wigan closed for futher sales - all sold or some cunning wheeze?

Chris 'looks like he's running up a' Hill included 

Ye ****ing Gods that is an awful pick....even with a crocked shoulder surely Oledski is a better option?

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

3 hours ago, StandOffHalf said:

Matty Lees is 26. I'm not sure you could in any way consider him ''past it''.

 

I was just about to write that too...it feels like he is older though I have to admit

Why isn't Wardle picked? Injured?

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

2 hours ago, Hopie said:

 

Chris Hill was pushing it in 2017, he stayed in due to loyalty rather than form, I have no idea how he still keeps getting picked.

It was a criminal pick last year for the Tonga series.....he was sooooo slow when he was carrying it was untrue....struggles to get onside too

Maybe he has a video or audio recording of Wane or something.... Wonder what it could be about

[StandOffHalf]

4 hours ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said:

I was just about to write that too...it feels like he is older though I have to admit

Why isn't Wardle picked? Injured?

All I know is what I read on here about an apparent injury picked up in the Grand Final.

I was really looking forward to seeing two of the best current centres together, so his absence is a blow.

[StandOffHalf]

4 hours ago, Loiner said:

Regarding Lees ment to say nowhere near good enough, sorry.

Yeah, I think there are enough strong tacklers in this squad. I'd be picking props who are more of a consistent threat with the ball in terms of setting a platform and gaining yards.

Edited October 17 by StandOffHalf

[Damien]

8 hours ago, Loiner said:

Shaun Wane doesn't like Oledski for whatever reason, but he hasn't justified selection either to be honest.

I'm sure the first part of that isn't true. The second part will undoubtedly be the reason.

[Click]

13 hours ago, StandOffHalf said:

Matty Lees is 26. I'm not sure you could in any way consider him ''past it''.

I would have had him behind Harrison and Mulhern, but advancing years wouldn't have been the reason.

Not sure if you can call McMeekan at 30 'past it' either. 

[Spidey]

17 hours ago, DavidM said:

I’m sure this has been covered and I’ve missed it but why just two tests ?

Clashed with a Wedding

 

[WN83]

13 hours ago, Hopie said:

I don't have any real faith in this coach, and I think some of these selections confirm my concerns in that area.

Chris Hill was pushing it in 2017, he stayed in due to loyalty rather than form, I have no idea how he still keeps getting picked.

In the main England have been excellent under Wane. Now I know the Samoa semi final defeat was extremely disappointing and for some, it seems to have made every other game totally redundant but it shouldn't. One thing Wane has lacked so far is opportunities to really build a reputation as an international coach against the Kiwis or Australia. Those are the fixtures I think he comes in to his own, where he will have the side totally focussed and motivated to pull of what will be considered as shock victories. The team has shown enough in comprehensive wins against the likes of Samoa, Tonga, PNG etc to buy him the time he needs to get to fixtures against Australia and then another World Cup and then we can really judge him. 

[Dunbar]

17 minutes ago, WN83 said:

In the main England have been excellent under Wane. Now I know the Samoa semi final defeat was extremely disappointing and for some, it seems to have made every other game totally redundant but it shouldn't. One thing Wane has lacked so far is opportunities to really build a reputation as an international coach against the Kiwis or Australia. Those are the fixtures I think he comes in to his own, where he will have the side totally focussed and motivated to pull of what will be considered as shock victories. The team has shown enough in comprehensive wins against the likes of Samoa, Tonga, PNG etc to buy him the time he needs to get to fixtures against Australia and then another World Cup and then we can really judge him. 

I would love to see this squad against the Kangaroo and Kiwi squads that have been selected this year.

[WN83]

37 minutes ago, Dunbar said:

I would love to see this squad against the Kangaroo and Kiwi squads that have been selected this year.

I just worry about us in the front row nowadays but I'm confident we'd give it a real crack. Wane will come in to his own against those sides IMO and he will rightly build that us against the world mentality. He tries to do it against Tonga, Samoa etc but nobody really buys it (and that's fair enough). 

[Sports Prophet]

Unfortunately this fixture does not appear to be televised in Australia. Anyone know otherwise?

[JohnM]

3 minutes ago, Sports Prophet said:

Unfortunately this fixture does not appear to be televised in Australia. Anyone know otherwise?

Really? Are the Australians really to be deprived of seeing me and my wife and my suvverner mate in the East stand at the Brick,

[Hopie]

12 hours ago, WN83 said:

In the main England have been excellent under Wane. Now I know the Samoa semi final defeat was extremely disappointing and for some, it seems to have made every other game totally redundant but it shouldn't. One thing Wane has lacked so far is opportunities to really build a reputation as an international coach against the Kiwis or Australia. Those are the fixtures I think he comes in to his own, where he will have the side totally focussed and motivated to pull of what will be considered as shock victories. The team has shown enough in comprehensive wins against the likes of Samoa, Tonga, PNG etc to buy him the time he needs to get to fixtures against Australia and then another World Cup and then we can really judge him. 

I call BS, they haven't been excellent in any game they have played, they usually drift in and out of games, scoring in bursts, then make mistakes, ease off and allow the better opposition to get back into games. They should be using the lesser opponents to build up their performances, but instead they breeze through easy games and fail when it matters, one game mattered at the world cup and they shat the bed. Nothing to suggest anything other than a whitewash against the top 2 teams, and if (big if) Samoa turn up to the series this year, England will have to be better than last year to win.

[Hopie]

On 16/10/2024 at 21:24, Hopie said:

I don't have any real faith in this coach, and I think some of these selections confirm my concerns in that area.

Chris Hill was pushing it in 2017, he stayed in due to loyalty rather than form, I have no idea how he still keeps getting picked.

Shame, I was hoping he would read my comment and let someone else have his place.

Didn't know he was a Salford player.

[Mojo]

5 hours ago, Sports Prophet said:

Unfortunately this fixture does not appear to be televised in Australia. Anyone know otherwise?

Even in nz ffs

[Just Browny]

11 hours ago, Hopie said:

Shame, I was hoping he would read my comment and let someone else have his place.

Didn't know he was a Salford player.

That reads like a chap who has read every social media comment going. In fact he is probably reading this - hi Chris!

I don't think anyone is criticising him for being selected; but there is a fair argument that he is neither in great form nor a selection with an eye on the future.

Edited October 18 by Just Browny