Potential English Centres : Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:29 pm  

Lots of complaining about Lee Smith not being up to the task.

How could your club have helped?

At Leeds our first choice centres were Keith Senior and Lee Smith. Their backups who also saw time were Kallum Watkins and Ashley Gibson. That's 4 players who qualify for England leaving aside opinions on whether they're good enough.

You see, if you're not English (or qualified to play for England) then whether you're good enough is a moot point.

So, for all those of you sticking the boot in, lets' see. Who were your Centres this season that Tony Smith could've selected for the England squad in preference to the incumbents?

: Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:32 pm  

IMO Ellis, Leon Pryce, Gleeson and Bridge would all of done a better job. Leon Pryce should be in the team IMO just not in the halves.

: Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:40 pm  

Odemwingie wrote:

IMO Ellis, Leon Pryce, Gleeson and Bridge would all of done a better job. Leon Pryce should be in the team IMO just not in the halves.

You support Wigan don't you?

What were the alternatives from your club that Tony Smith could've called upon to play centre for England in this tournament? Why did those alternatives (if there were any) not perform better during the domestic season to give us all a hint at how much better they would've been at outplaying Inglis on Saturday?

Re: Potential English Centres : Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:41 pm  

G1 wrote:

Lots of complaining about Lee Smith not being up to the task.

How could your club have helped?

At Leeds our first choice centres were Keith Senior and Lee Smith. Their backups who also saw time were Kallum Watkins and Ashley Gibson. That's 4 players who qualify for England leaving aside opinions on whether they're good enough.

You see, if you're not English (or qualified to play for England) then whether you're good enough is a moot point.

So, for all those of you sticking the boot in, lets' see. Who were your Centres this season that Tony Smith could've selected for the England squad in preference to the incumbents?

Unfortunately, England's best centre on Saturday was a 20 year old rookie scrum half.

From Saints, I would have preferred either Pryce or Eastmond to play there. We've had to rely on past it Aussies as our centres for the last couple of years.

Of those who qualify to play as a centre for England, regardless of his woeful performance on Saturday, Smith still ranks quite highly in the grand scheme of things which shows how bad the state of our backs is. I'd reather have him in there than Bridge, Sykes or moving our best second rower out there.

: Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:42 pm  

Tony Clubb

Re: Potential English Centres : Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:43 pm  

Sthelens RLFC wrote:

Unfortunately, England's best centre on Saturday was a 20 year old rookie scrum half.

From Saints, I would have preferred either Pryce or Eastmond to play there. We've had to rely on past it Aussies as our centres for the last couple of years.

Of those who qualify to play as a centre for England, regardless of his woeful performance on Saturday, Smith still ranks quite highly in the grand scheme of things which shows how bad the state of our backs is. I'd reather have him in there than Bridge, Sykes or moving our best second rower out there.

You've hit the nail on the head.

: Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:44 pm  

13rovers wrote:

Tony Clubb

He's not a Rovers player is he? Who did your team provide for Tony Smith's delictation?

Regardless, did Tony Clubb really stand out during the course of the season as being head and shoulders above the centres in the squad?

[Pemps]

Re: Potential English Centres : Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:50 pm  

G1 wrote:

Lots of complaining about Lee Smith not being up to the task.

How could your club have helped?

At Leeds our first choice centres were Keith Senior and Lee Smith. Their backups who also saw time were Kallum Watkins and Ashley Gibson. That's 4 players who qualify for England leaving aside opinions on whether they're good enough.

You see, if you're not English (or qualified to play for England) then whether you're good enough is a moot point.

So, for all those of you sticking the boot in, lets' see. Who were your Centres this season that Tony Smith could've selected for the England squad in preference to the incumbents?

I'm not quite sure what you're getting at. Are you saying that if my club doesn't have a better centre than Smith, then I can't comment about his performance? Not having a pop, just wondering what you're asking.

Gleeson
Goulding
Pryce
O'Loughlin (According to Tony Smith)

Do you think the fact that Smith Played Lockers at centre in the friendly perhaps showed how much faith he had in Smith as a centre?

: Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:51 pm  

Kirk Yeaman, Craig Hall, Graeme Horne, Tom Briscoe and Richard Whiting. Don't know if any would have being better then Smith TBH, Hall and Briscoe are good talents but don't think there ready yet.

: Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:52 pm  

G1 wrote:

He's not a Rovers player is he? Who did your team provide for Tony Smith's delictation?

Regardless, did Tony Clubb really stand out during the course of the season as being head and shoulders above the centres in the squad?

Kris Welham. Not ready for internationals yet (in my opinion) having only just finished his first full season but in a few years time he could be an option. It's safe to say Fox and Welham would have been a lot more organised on England's wing than Briscoe and Smith were!