It may be his long term position but hasn't played there at all for FC in the first team and would be crucified by Aus.

I don't think he would be though, I think he's a quality player and his defence is top notch. Like I say though, if he hasn't played there then I wouldn't play him there this time, I just thought he had!

I'd bring Clubb in at centre for Atkins, he may not offer a lot in attack but defensively he is probably the best 3/4 we have which will be important against the Aussies.

I would eventually like to see Tom develop into a centre, but like mentioned he would be crucified right now at International level, the kid can move if only he was passed the ball!!

Decent game, cleaned a few balls up and defended well, I just hope he see's some ball from the centre's in the next few games.

Tony Clubb has to start against Australia, IMO.

My feelings on the match:



Widdop - Not as bad as is being made out, dropped a bomb which is easy done under pressure. Trying to make the one-on-ones, generally got it but far too many breaks to contend with. normally safe at close range, very good at escaping the in goal area. In attack, he doesn't strike me as a fulback, he needs to play SO in attack for me, with Tomkins in FB position in attack. Imo deserves his place.



Goulding - I wasn't for bringing him into the side, but strong defence, consistently gaining 8m+ on the scoot, spinning out of tackles. Got zero ball in attack though. Did more than enough to retain his spot.



Shenton - Shocking positional sense in defence again, a bit too weak in the tackle for me (to be fair Junior is massive), but in attack 2nd, he has some serious speed! Needs to use that more.



Atkins - Shocking positional sense, made to look an absolute fool by Marshall (not the first), SKD and Nightingale. Should be dropped really even if he recovers. As to who replaces him, I'm unsure. I would have thought Cudjoe would deserve a match this 4N, maybe bring Briscoe in?...just maybe not against the Aussies. Tough choice.



Briscoe - Class winger imo. Wasn't that involved in the game, but he's one of the few players in our team that constistently realises to cover the ball to stop tries.



Brown - Better this week, seemed to be feeding off the kicks quite well, should have had a try. Couldn't really make any of his own. Gutted we're missing Eastmond, Pryce, McGuire and Sinfield, but he's what we're down to I suppose.



Tomkins - Looked off his game to me, possibly a bit injured. Exposed in the left side defence somewhat, although you could have marched a parade through the spaces either side of him. He has to play 3rd reciever, not 1st, whatever position he is listed as.



Graham - Very good match all round.



Roby - Bar early errors, a good game from him. Good (lucky) try.



Fielden - Got his usual stupid error in there, played far less minutes than I'm used to seeing him play. Not too much wrong though.



Ellis - Drive after drive from the same drop off pass from Tomkins, made the yards. Poor attempt on SDK.



Burgess - Not as good as the commentators made out, fitness is superb though, and made a good impact.



O'Loughlin - Personally my MOM for England. Made breaks, drove it in well, good acceleration shown, tackled constantly, did some organising, testing kicks that unfortunately didn't pay off. Great all round performance.



Robinson - Improved again, looks elusive in broken play, has to be careful with the dummy runners though. Could do with a bit more speed but much better this week.



Tomkins - Unused, not running it in as strongly as earlier in the year, needs to start making contact with the opposition chest again, in particular should be running at centres/halves and using his speed more. Not his best bit still not used enough for me.



Westwood - Constistent bar the SKD try. Played well, fully deserves a spot next week.



Griffin - Ineffectual imo, Crabtree is a far better international player. We need to make this switch for the Aussies next week.

From were I was sat, the pack got smashed and so we lost the game.

IMO the building block's are there now, just need a coach.



Imagine if Bennett was let loose on the team that played tonight (it resembles a Bennett team - huge forward pack just need to adjust the backline)

Do you even watch Rugby League?

The guys who has missed the most tackles in SL this year?

Great idea...

Don't think the pack did get smashed. Rubbish opening 20 mins cost us the game, too many errors, and then lacked the cutting edge in the last 10 of the 1st half to score. Completion rate and lack kicking game were our biggest enemies. It's all ifs and buts though, NZ were also below their best, it could have easily been 20+ at half time.

There were areas of the game where England were far far superior to the kiwis and it showed.



The kiwis couldn't cope with it so reverted to other things rather than copy England.



1) Our one man barge, head down,, backside up don't bother to even consider offloading was a joy to behold. The kiwis came nowhere near. Far far superior were England.



2) The teams view on keeping energy reserves was far superior to the Kiwis, why waste energy supporting the ball carrier because the option above was such a game breaker, plus by not running from deep less energy was used before submitting to the tackle.





At least these are positives to take from the game.



As for the Kiwis, sadly they had pace, skill, guile, strength and an open style of play which although not that successful would, with fine tuning cause the aussies problems.



England will improve for the next game that's for sure. The superior areas mentioned above will be done quicker and the Aussies WILL be worried.