England vs Combined Nations : Mon Jun 13, 2022 4:06 pm  

Thoughts!?
England squad:
Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), Joe Batchelor (St Helens), John Bateman (Wigan Warriors), Mike Cooper (Warrington Wolves), Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors), Ryan Hall (Hull KR), Matty Lees (St Helens), Michael McIlorum, Mike McMeeken (both Catalans Dragons), Paul McShane (Castleford Tigers), Tommy Makinson (St Helens), Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos), Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford (both Warrington Wolves), Sam Tomkins (Catalans Dragons, Captain), Alex Walmsley (St Helens), Jake Wardle (Huddersfield Giants), Kallum Watkins (Salford Red Devils), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves)

Combined squad:
Daryl Clark (Warrington Wolves), Brodie Croft (Salford Red Devils), Kenny Edwards (Castleford Tigers), Mahe Fonua (Castleford Tigers), Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Hull KR), Samisoni Langi (Catalans Dragons), Kruise Leeming (Leeds Rhinos), Joe Lovodua (Hull FC), Rhyse Martin (Leeds Rhinos), Peter Mata'utia (Warrington Wolves), Manu Maʻu (Hull FC), Jacob Miller (Wakefield Trinity), Matt Parcell (Hull KR), Matt Prior (Leeds Rhinos), Ligi Sao (Hull FC), Chris Satae (Hull FC), Ken Sio (Salford Red Devils), Kelepi Tanginoa (Wakefield Trinity), Zane Tetevano (Leeds Rhinos).

In fairness the Combined squad has had 16 withdrawals which might explain the likes of Tetavano and Prior getting in.
The fact that Philbin and Williams make the England squad is laughable especially with Lomax and Knowles missing out.

Re: England vs Combined Nations : Mon Jun 13, 2022 4:42 pm  

I actually like the concept but the RFL & English game don't promote the game enough as usual with any with Rugby league in this country. Its good to give certain players a chance to play for their country and see if they are ready for word cup selection but I think Wane has picked a poor team. Surley the likes of Lomax & Knowles must have slight knocks and Saints have held them back? I think the All stats team is ok obviously players pulling out injured is always gonna happen it's good that the likes of Clark & Leeming get a game in this because it still gives then a chance to play in front of Wane and try force their way in World Cup selection for England but also for Clark he could play for Scotland so it might get Scotland to push for him to play for them if his chances with England are slim for World Cup. I do think its a waste pick Matt Prior for example I like him but he's not gonna get in the Australia squad or play on international stage now so why not select another Overseas play who might be in contention to play for Samoa, Tonga, Fiji etc but obviously injurys play a part in selection so Prior might have been one of best options to pick from. All stars are naming a 20th Player tomorrow my guess is its gonna be Joey Leilua from Fev or Blake Ferguson from Leigh because they play tonight probably seeing if they get through that ok.

Re: England vs Combined Nations : Mon Jun 13, 2022 6:44 pm  

Its a waste on time anyway, wane already knows what his side/squad will be regardless of form/talent, how can the likes of Bateman Williams Ratchford Watkins and a fair few others be even considered on current form or form over last couple of years. This is one reason we always struggle against the Aussies, they have a selection committee they don’t pick the team on if your face fits.

Its a rubbish pointless fixture anyway.

Re: England vs Combined Nations : Mon Jun 13, 2022 7:10 pm  

rollin thunder wrote:

Its a waste on time anyway, wane already knows what his side/squad will be regardless of form/talent, how can the likes of Bateman Williams Ratchford Watkins and a fair few others be even considered on current form or form over last couple of years. This is one reason we always struggle against the Aussies, they have a selection committee they don’t pick the team on if your face fits.

Its a rubbish pointless fixture anyway.

I agree it's not ideal or what we want ( of course we all want the Aussies or Islands over here for series) but along with a France fixture it's pretty much all we have until the NRL decide to back more internationals

For that reason I'm getting behind it....I went last year and will probably go again with my two little oned decked out in England gear........if we love the game maybe we need to be a bit more positive ourselves about the international side.....especially letting youngsters get excited

Re: England vs Combined Nations : Mon Jun 13, 2022 9:35 pm  

Personally I would like to see a game that puts Wanes perceived first choice 17 (minus those playing in Oz) against those on the fringe.
It adds more meaning to the game as players would be up against their direct opposition and gives those fringe players a chance to prove the coach wrong.
Rugby Union did it years ago with probables v possibles.

Re: England vs Combined Nations : Tue Jun 14, 2022 6:45 am  

Its a decent idea in principle but the format and selection process need a major overhaul. For a start need to make it as competitive as possible by not allowing clubs to pull players out for next to nothing.

The promotion of this game is appalling. I’ve yet to see a single advert for it on any tv channel or any press coverage.

It’s doomed to failure in its current state

Re: England vs Combined Nations : Tue Jun 14, 2022 9:19 am  

Is it me or are there an unusual predominance of players from the Bottom half of Superleague in these Squads ?

Re: England vs Combined Nations : Tue Jun 14, 2022 12:00 pm  

Maybe due to the top teams being unhappy to release their players.
Whilst some have a club before country approach we will never succeed at International level.

Re: England vs Combined Nations : Tue Jun 14, 2022 2:19 pm  

We should be playing France. They’ve named their squad to play Wales below. They’d be ideal opposition for an England side without its NRL players, and it’d then be a proper International fixture.

France squad v Wales

Julian Bousquet, Alrix Da Costa, Jordan Dezaria (all Catalans), Morgan Escare (Salford), Ben Garcia, Mickael Goudemand, Benjamin Jullien, Matthieu Laguerre (all Catalans), Paul Marcon, Anthony Marion (both Toulouse), Arthur Mourgue (Catalans), Romain Navarrete, Eloi Pelissier (both Toulouse), Arthur Romano, Cesar Rouge (both Catalans), Justin Sangare (Toulouse), Paul Seguier (Catalans), Maxime Stefani (Toulouse), Louis Jouffret (Halifax), Foud Yaha (Catalans).

Re: England vs Combined Nations : Wed Jun 15, 2022 6:56 am  

chapylad wrote:

Personally I would like to see a game that puts Wanes perceived first choice 17 (minus those playing in Oz) against those on the fringe.
It adds more meaning to the game as players would be up against their direct opposition and gives those fringe players a chance to prove the coach wrong.
Rugby Union did it years ago with probables v possibles.

Agree especially as wane has only had 1 game in charge so far. I guess he’s having to keep the clubs happy by spreading selection around.
From a Leeds perspective, bit worried all of our 3 strong contingent of props are playing, hope they come
Through unscathed.