Johnny best half back in the league by a mile on the bench for GB - how ridiculous! Bennett out of touch with British game
Johnny best half back in the league by a mile on the bench for GB - how ridiculous! Bennett out of touch with British game
He was an appalling appointment. Clearly a good coach, but just doing this gig for the money. He obviously doesn't watch the game over here at all.
I think Hastings and Widdop over Lomax is fair enough though. Hastings was and is superb and Widdop brings the kicking game and control the combination with Lomax would lack.
His choice of wingers is the more shocking. Hall is in a similar state to my physically, in fact I reckon I'd have him in mobility tests. Just so slow and lumbering. But he's been picked because he knows him and figures he's less risk. McGilvray's recent interview was funny. He said Wayne Bennett had told him he'd heard he'd been awful all year and he agreed with him. He then said something along the lines of "I'm at the end of my career, so getting to play for Great Britain is a great oppportunity". Surely there is a winger who would be a better choice than him. Grace/Lineham/Charnley aren't perfect but better than the two selected. There must be younger British wingers who would be worth a go?
Look, I know this probably won't go down well but we shouldn't worry about Lomax being on the bench. Leave Widdop the wire to get smacked about. In the grand scheme of things it's a meaningless game, I'd rather all our lads were at home setting their alarms with the rest of us and leave that stubborn old fool to it. He's doing himself no favours in my eyes and will hopefully get found out and sacked after this winter.
Wouldn't surprise me to be honest..Bateman at centre for example whilst Percival was sat at home. It's actually only one step further into stupidity.
I have a feeling this trip might not go that well & it'll set us back.
I have absolutely no interest in playing Tonga and New Zealand in tests. Don't care. I want them to be playing Australia. That's who we want to beat
Completely agree, I wouldn't mind at all if all our players were on the beach instead of the bench, I know it's a selfish opinion, but the season is hard enough as it is, all we need is for Lomax and or Coote to be injured and having to let Richardson go would be a decision that haunts us, I got the impression that Makinson didn't seem too disappointed that he had to miss the tour
Positions across many sports are not just picked on by form in the international arena though. Understanding of the systems, team ethic/bonding, experience etc are all a massive part of a team; even more so at the international level where players rarely play together during a regular season. The Aussies in our sport have done it for years picking experience and proven partnerships over club form to huge success; but refreshed each year with 1-3 changes in the 17. Not suggesting Hall should be in the side (I don't think he would be if Makinson was fit) but club form isn't the be-and-end-all of the selection process IMO.
It doesn't help though when he's hardly played this season. You're right regarding the Aussie's and their policies but we don't have that pool of talent to pick from, besides, why should we follow them, I'd much prefer us not to and play some decent rugby instead of boring the opposition to death. In fact I'm fairly certain I'd be more receptive to international RL if that were the case.
Bullshit Lomax was the stand out player last time he was international duty and this has nothing to do with club form
Just picking up on the bit in bold; squad for tomorrow:
James Graham (capt), Lachlan Coote, Jermaine McGillvary, Zak Hardaker, Oliver Gildart, Ryan Hall, Gareth Widdop, Jackson Hastings, Chris Hill, Josh Hodgson, Luke Thompson, John Bateman, Elliott Whitehead, Josh Jones, Tom Burgess, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, Jake Connor, Jack Hughes.
12 out of the 19 based in SL. Other than Hall, I don't think I'd argue on any of the NRL players not being deserved of their place in the squad. In fact, I'd argue Hill shouldn't be in (Watts would be my choice) more rigorously than any of other NRL selections. He's also dropped George Burgess from the squad and not selected Ryan Sutton from the NRL.
Hall, Hill and Hardaker are the only real contentious picks IMO tomorrow.
Less game time the better for our players it will hopefully get Bennett out of the door quicker.