Chapel House Motor Company Limited Advertising Banner
Page 3 of 11 FirstFirst 1234567 ... LastLast
Results 51 to 75 of 269

Thread: England vs PNG

  1. #51
    Got A Season Ticket
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Born Eccleston, now Handforth
    Posts
    332
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    You misunderstood. He clearly wants us to win. It is not patriotism (as he isn’t English) but pride in his own coaching credentials and his commitment to those he is leading

  2. #52
    In The West Stand Ralph Fridge's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Around
    Posts
    5,517
    Rep Power
    17

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rogues Gallery View Post
    I don't know but doubt he would, I THINK he knew his squad (and his team) well before the selection. It's not what I would have picked but as I've said it's his decision and he will stand or fall by it, I think HE believes in his pick.
    Let's also not forget that he has four assistants from over here helping with selection, Betts, Wellens, Anderson and Sculthorpe, they must have had some input into squad and team.
    Going back to the centre position which started this "interesting" debate does it not show the lack of quality in our game over here in that particular position? Is part of the problem that most clubs have at least one player from overseas in that critical position?
    Fair point. Our halves and centres are a long way behind Australia's and New Zealand's.

    I also believe that the Aussie forwards have the edge on ours despite the RL media spouting the contrary

  3. #53
    Got A Season Ticket
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Born Eccleston, now Handforth
    Posts
    332
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    I agree and not just at centre. We lack depth in the skill positions still. Some talented players coming through but not enough with experience yet

  4. #54
    Got A Season Ticket
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Born Eccleston, now Handforth
    Posts
    332
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    This is where Roby is so important as he gets the best out of the pack in my view. I would have started him but I fully expect him to get 60 minutes

  5. #55
    In The West Stand Dux's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Liverpool
    Posts
    5,572
    Rep Power
    27

    Default

    I'm not surprised by Bateman getting the nod ahead of Percy. It's obviously Bennet's favoured selection, so I think Percy would have had to play out of his skin against France to change his mind. He didn't do much wrong, but I don't think it was a particularly eye-catching performance from him either, so I suspect that's it for Percy this time (barring injuries to both Bateman and Currie).

    I'm pleased he's gone for Brown. He doesn't do anything flashy but by playing square he frees up space outside him (pretty much the role Smith should have been performing for Saints). Williams, by contrast, tends to run towards the touchline before releasing the ball - this seemed to contribute to our timing going out of the window once he was on for Gale at the weekend.

    I can't get my head around starting with Hodgson, though. He is a good player and has clearly done well down under, but it's as plain as the nose on your face who the best hooker in the squad is. I just hope there's a plan to introduce Roby early in the game.

  6. #56
    Learning All The Songs
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    1,016
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by st.david View Post
    And I agree YG but I understand why WB has picked him even though I wouldn’t have. Irrespectve I think WB is tryng to find good combinations that will allow us to get points from the world class pack we have available. At least I hope he is!! I don’t buy into the WB dosen’t care views. He didn’t need to put his well earned reputation on the line. He dosen’t want us to win out of patriotism obviously but I wouldn’t underestimate his desire to win nor his commitment to the players he has selected
    He took the England coz Mal Meninga was given the Australian job, his oversized ego was so dented he wants to stick one up the Australian board, he doesn't care about England that's why he gives one word answers to the media

  7. #57
    WARNING! PIE EATER!

    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    5,801
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    Bennett is one of the few Aussie coaches who has been an advocate of International RL at both club and country level. The team seem to be far more together this time than for a while. I have e friend who has gone out there for the whole tour and says that he he has seen players from the different club teams out together on various occasions, unlike 2008.
    Bennett IMP was the best man for the job when selected, it doesn't bother me where he was born. he has always been "word wise" with the press. However if you listen to Sinfields comments it would appear that he completely different with his players.

  8. #58
    really is sorry Reacher's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Wigan
    Age
    48
    Posts
    11,967
    Rep Power
    30

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rogues Gallery View Post
    Bennett is one of the few Aussie coaches who has been an advocate of International RL at both club and country level. The team seem to be far more together this time than for a while. I have e friend who has gone out there for the whole tour and says that he he has seen players from the different club teams out together on various occasions, unlike 2008.
    Bennett IMP was the best man for the job when selected, it doesn't bother me where he was born. he has always been "word wise" with the press. However if you listen to Sinfields comments it would appear that he completely different with his players.
    The difference to 2008 and now though is that IIRC, 75% of the squad then was from Saints and Leeds. We had been the best two teams for years and the players from both teams had kicked lumps out of each other a few times each season plus Finals. Now there is a more even spread and only Watkins is playing from Leeds who played Cas in the Final.

  9. #59
    WARNING! PIE EATER!

    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    5,801
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Reacher View Post
    The difference to 2008 and now though is that IIRC, 75% of the squad then was from Saints and Leeds. We had been the best two teams for years and the players from both teams had kicked lumps out of each other a few times each season plus Finals. Now there is a more even spread and only Watkins is playing from Leeds who played Cas in the Final.
    Accepted. We were in the same Hotel as the players in Townsville and the atmosphere was awful. Players out in their own "groups" and even after they'd beaten PNG it was still the same.
    They knew what they were there for and in reality it should have been the management' job to get them together as an England team. We haven't been on an England RL tour since so it was interesting to hear the views of someone who was over there.
    Mind you I'm not sure the team bonding of Crooks and Schofield rolling around the streets of Kings Cross in Sydney a couple of tours earlier was the right way either

  10. #60
    In The North Stand With All The Old Folk STIDDY's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Kingdom of Wigoon
    Posts
    8,872
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rogues Gallery View Post
    Bennett is one of the few Aussie coaches who has been an advocate of International RL at both club and country level. The team seem to be far more together this time than for a while. I have e friend who has gone out there for the whole tour and says that he he has seen players from the different club teams out together on various occasions, unlike 2008.
    Bennett IMP was the best man for the job when selected, it doesn't bother me where he was born. he has always been "word wise" with the press. However if you listen to Sinfields comments it would appear that he completely different with his players.
    I don't think we have improved at all under Bennett, he appears to have very little respect for Superleague and is very conservative in his selections, he is also boring the pants off everybody in his communication skills with the English Supporters. The Burgess brothers are not as good as they use to be, Graham and O'Loughlin are coming to the end of there careers, Bennet doesn't know who is best centres are, still doesn't know his best half back combination and has preference to a NRL hooker over a Superleague hooker despite the obvious differences in skill set.

    Probably in another 2 seasons the international side will need a complete re-build, Bennett one of the best coaches in rugby league will not leave any legacy for the benefit of England just the like others who have gone before him.

  11. #61
    Learning All The Songs
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Rainhill
    Age
    75
    Posts
    2,221
    Rep Power
    16

    Default

    Exactly the team I expected. Widdop was always destined for fullback after last week then it was just a case of who goes stand off.
    I thought Brown was pretty fair and give the centres a bit of room and of course choice is limited.

  12. #62
    In The North Stand With All The Old Folk Belgian Saint's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Europe
    Posts
    11,178
    Rep Power
    32

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rogues Gallery View Post
    I don't know but doubt he would, I THINK he knew his squad (and his team) well before the selection. It's not what I would have picked but as I've said it's his decision and he will stand or fall by it, I think HE believes in his pick.
    Let's also not forget that he has four assistants from over here helping with selection, Betts, Wellens, Anderson and Sculthorpe, they must have had some input into squad and team.
    Going back to the centre position which started this "interesting" debate does it not show the lack of quality in our game over here in that particular position? Is part of the problem that most clubs have at least one player from overseas in that critical position?
    It does show the lack of quality at centre.
    I also believe this tour has emphasised our deficiencies at 6 and 7. I still think that with a bit more maturity and different circumstances Williams will be OK. The fact that he is the only young one that comes to mind for the next 3 -4 years shows how desperately short we are.

  13. #63
    Banned
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Posts
    730
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Belgian Saint View Post
    It does show the lack of quality at centre.
    I also believe this tour has emphasised our deficiencies at 6 and 7. I still think that with a bit more maturity and different circumstances Williams will be OK. The fact that he is the only young one that comes to mind for the next 3 -4 years shows how desperately short we are.
    To be fair we have had a lack of World Class Centres for Forty years and more,it really is our Achilles Heel

  14. #64
    WARNING! PIE EATER!

    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    5,801
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Chris1964 View Post
    To be fair we have had a lack of World Class Centres for Forty years and more,it really is our Achilles Heel
    Connolly, Newlove, Senior and Joyner were all very good centres.

  15. #65
    Banned
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Posts
    730
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Victor View Post
    Newlove wasn't bad and neither was Gary Gobshite.
    I agree very very good but not World Class.Neither ever did it against the Australians when it really mattered,dead rubbers don't count,plus you named two in thirty years.

  16. #66
    Banned
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Posts
    730
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rogues Gallery View Post
    Connolly, Newlove, Senior and Joyner were all very good centres.
    You named four one was a joke though Senior.None World Class as i stated before thirty years and you come out with Senior made my point better that i could ever have.

  17. #67
    In The West Stand
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    5,242
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Chris1964 View Post
    You named four one was a joke though Senior.None World Class as i stated before thirty years and you come out with Senior made my point better that i could ever have.
    Think thats unfair on Newlove and Connolly. However, they were on their own. As with Saints, it doesn't matter how good your centre is, if you only attack down one side its easy too defend. Even in the eras we did have a world class centre, we never had another one (or two) to play down the other side to keep the attack balanced. Let alone a third to actually ensure the first two perform (as underperforming has happened all too often in an England shirt).

  18. #68
    Banned
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Posts
    730
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by magic superbeetle View Post
    Think thats unfair on Newlove and Connolly. However, they were on their own. As with Saints, it doesn't matter how good your centre is, if you only attack down one side its easy too defend. Even in the eras we did have a world class centre, we never had another one (or two) to play down the other side to keep the attack balanced. Let alone a third to actually ensure the first two perform (as underperforming has happened all too often in an England shirt).
    Yes i accept that,you really do need two or three as you stated,otherwise your attack becomes very predictable,Watkins is an excellent centre, but because we don't have a centre of his ability on the other side we really become a side which is very easy to defend against.

  19. #69
    WARNING! PIE EATER!

    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    5,801
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Chris1964 View Post
    You named four one was a joke though Senior.None World Class as i stated before thirty years and you come out with Senior made my point better that i could ever have.
    Senior was a class strike centre, look at his try scoring record at International level. A few International coaches have been asked to pick "their teams" you can probably find it on you tube and Senior was picked by most. It would be interesting to see how his wingers fared outside him as compared to say Watkins.

  20. #70
    Starting A Programme Collection
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Widnes UNFORTUNATELY
    Posts
    901
    Rep Power
    18

    Default

    Absolute rubbish about Newlove he was definitely world class.

  21. #71
    In The South Stand Sean Day's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    4,672
    Rep Power
    24

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rogues Gallery View Post
    Senior was a class strike centre, look at his try scoring record at International level. A few International coaches have been asked to pick "their teams" you can probably find it on you tube and Senior was picked by most. It would be interesting to see how his wingers fared outside him as compared to say Watkins.
    14 tries in 43 games? Sorry, can’t agree with you. Great at bullying low super league centres then went hiding for GB

  22. #72
    In The North Stand With All The Old Folk Belgian Saint's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Europe
    Posts
    11,178
    Rep Power
    32

    Default

    Senior had power and pace but came nowhere near the skillsets of Connolly nor Newlove.

  23. #73
    In The North Stand With All The Old Folk STIDDY's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Kingdom of Wigoon
    Posts
    8,872
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Belgian Saint View Post
    Senior had power and pace but came nowhere near the skillsets of Connolly nor Newlove.
    Was it Jamie Lyon who use to make him look like an amateur.

  24. #74
    Banned
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Posts
    730
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by WidnesExile View Post
    Absolute rubbish about Newlove he was definitely world class.
    No he wasn't look at his stats,one of my favourite Saints player but as an International when it is the best against the best he was lacking,if you want my honest opinion Cunningham was the same,never showed his class against the Australians.

    The true greats in any sport do it at International level.

  25. #75
    Starting A Programme Collection
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Widnes UNFORTUNATELY
    Posts
    901
    Rep Power
    18

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Chris1964 View Post
    No he wasn't look at his stats,one of my favourite Saints player but as an International when it is the best against the best he was lacking,if you want my honest opinion Cunningham was the same,never showed his class against the Australians.

    The true greats in any sport do it at International level.
    It's a team game one world class player can't win on his own.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •