Who justified their selection? : Mon Nov 14, 2016 10:26 pm  

We all know some players will be in the squad/matchday 17 regardless, some of them quite rightly so but there were also a lot of uncapped or fairly inexperienced international players in the England squad this time so who, in your opinion, did enough to get another crack and stay in the international picture (obviously presuming form and injury don't change things).

For me i'd say Jerry McGillvary, Jonny Lomax, Elliott Whitehead, Mark Percival and George Williams.
McGillvary has been superb in just about every game he's played for his country.
Williams has looked an attacking threat for us.
Lomax was solid without being spectacular.
Percival is much better than he showed and will only play better
Whitehead for me looked a much better option than Farrell or Bateman.

Re: Who justified their selection? : Mon Nov 14, 2016 10:44 pm  

GIANT DAZ wrote:

Percival is much better than he showed and will only play better

He'd struggle to play any worse. You asked who did enough to justify another go and then cited a play who didn't but you've decided is good enough anyway so therefore deserves another shot. He was shocking yesterday, really poor. He didn't even play well against Scotland. his performance yesterday was almost identical to Sarginson's against NZ but with worse defence. For all the stick Watkins has received he was our best centre in this tournament and he barely touched the ball in the first 2 games

Sorry, had to get that off my chest, thought our lack of centres has never been more exposed than in this tournament. Not sure what options we've got. If Josh Griffin can continue to improve he might be an option next year but he's got some way to go to be genuinely considered an international option. Can't see Jordan Turner getting to that level. Atkins is past his best. Who else is there? Cudjoe maybe?

In terms of another chance.....

Hall and McGillvary were our best 2 players IMO so should continue as our wingers
I agree Whitehead did well
Hodgson was also good and relatively new to internationals

Thought Lomax didn't do anything a few others couldn't do and his passing when he joined the line was suspect. Not sure he did enough to keep his place or to lose it. I was disappointed in his play overall. If Hardaker or Tomkins can rediscover their form then I would take either of them over him.

George Williams looked OK against the Aussies and probably did enough to stay in the squad. Not entirely convinced yet but he's still young and has every chance of becoming a regular

Gale showed his limitations. As did Brown. Brown was OK with ball in hand but his kicking game, especially short kicks, was shocking. Gale was just average I thought

All in all disappointing and I don't see it changing much for the world cup next year

Re: Who justified their selection? : Mon Nov 14, 2016 10:53 pm  

Jerry McG was the only one who impressed me. You must be disappointed that he's trying his best to secure a move away from Huddersfield (If the rumours are true?)?

Lomax was okay, but lacks the pace and running threat to be a genuine threat to Australia, although he showed his class with a couple of assists. Whitehead has clearly benefited from the NRL experience, Bateman and Farrell just prove time and time again they are genuinely not big enough to play at that level. The Aussie forwards all have genuine size and as good as they are in Super League, it just doesn't work for England.

Re: Who justified their selection? : Mon Nov 14, 2016 11:05 pm  

Not that many. McGillvary, Whitehead, Williams, at a push Lomax.

Re: Who justified their selection? : Mon Nov 14, 2016 11:05 pm  

Think the praise the wingers have got is a bit OTT. They were decent without ever being close to superb. Most of the 6 tries they scored between them were tries that should be scored by most wingers with maybe the one by Hall vs NZ the exception and carries were decent and without being anything special. Unlike the centres, there is other strong options there in Burgess and Manfredi who were both injured this time so still wide open that position for 12 months time.

Doesn't matter who plays centre based on how we've played because they'll barely get any decent ball anyway.

Was hoping for more from Whitehead in the games vs the big 2. Bateman for all the criticism of his size, played against the big 2 teams in the world and made 67 tackles with ZERO misses so that shouldn't be sniffed at. Ben Currie is an obvious contender next year if he can get himself back fit and in form for the 2nd row and hopefully Stevie Ward can stay fit too.

Don't think Bennett is sold on Clark so the 2nd hooking position is still up for grabs.

Someone mentioned Jordan Turner, whilst he's not a name that usually comes up, he will be in the NRL next year. That's usually enough to guarantee you a squad place at least and also Sarginson is heading over there.

I can't really see anyone who missed out on selection (not injured) that would've made any real difference.

Re: Who justified their selection? : Mon Nov 14, 2016 11:41 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

Jerry McG was the only one who impressed me. You must be disappointed that he's trying his best to secure a move away from Huddersfield (If the rumours are true?)?

Lomax was okay, but lacks the pace and running threat to be a genuine threat to Australia, although he showed his class with a couple of assists. Whitehead has clearly benefited from the NRL experience, Bateman and Farrell just prove time and time again they are genuinely not big enough to play at that level. The Aussie forwards all have genuine size and as good as they are in Super League, it just doesn't work for England.

I'm fairly sure he isn't trying his best at all, he only signed a new 4 year deal 12 months ago and said “I’m happy at Huddersfield, I always have been and I imagine I always will be.

“The supporters are always great to me and I hope I can keep playing and improving to give them some success."

Doesn't sound like the words of a man wanting out !!.
I speak to Jerry regularly and he's always said how happy he is at his hometown club.

Re: Who justified their selection? : Tue Nov 15, 2016 12:43 am  

Once Bateman puts some weight on he'll be reet.
Wanted to see a lot more from Hodgson this series.
Burgess twins didn't offer enough either.
Still plenty of spots up for grabs for the world cup. 1-7 could all change and I can see a prop and 2nd row space up for grabs too..

Re: Who justified their selection? : Tue Nov 15, 2016 12:44 am  

Watkins and Hall.

Regards,
Lots of Rhinos Fans.

Re: Who justified their selection? : Tue Nov 15, 2016 7:47 am  

I'd agree Hall and Mcgilvery were very good, but both were lucky Manfredi was injured. I was saying the other day, do people remember when we used to have the likes of Calderwood or Raynor or Fox on the wings?

For me Hill was the pick of the forwards, and George Williams probably the only half to cement a place in the squad for next year.

Re: Who justified their selection? : Tue Nov 15, 2016 7:54 am  

William Eve wrote:

Watkins and Hall.

Regards,
Lots of Rhinos Fans.

Hall was good imo, both wingers were.

Watkins was ok. Depends if you are judging him as those claiming 'second best centre in the world' though, or just a good SL standard centre which he actually is