Re: England Elite Squad : Tue Mar 06, 2012 11:29 pm  

WARRIORCRAIG wrote:

Only because Souths have got a lot of injuries in the front row atm.

what, Luke Burgess?

Souths have no injuries up front, Sam Burgess is a Prop Forward and it utilised as such in the best league in the world, and impressed massively against Roosters in round 1. Why do people think they know better than Michael Maguire?

Re: England Elite Squad : Wed Mar 07, 2012 12:14 am  

Bill Sonny wrote:

what, Luke Burgess?

Souths have no injuries up front, Sam Burgess is a Prop Forward and it utilised as such in the best league in the world, and impressed massively against Roosters in round 1. Why do people think they know better than Michael Maguire?

Souths' (ie. your man Maguire's) plan is to use Sam Burgess at 13 this season, whatever happened in the first game. But you obviously think you know better than him.

Re: England Elite Squad : Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:23 am  

craigizzard wrote:

Souths' (ie. your man Maguire's) plan is to use Sam Burgess at 13 this season, whatever happened in the first game. But you obviously think you know better than him.

Not arguing the above point but maybe that's because it's become the Australan way to play what is effectively a 3rd prop at 13. Sam, for all his quality, has no kicking game, utilitarian passing and doesn't really operate as any sort of link. If that's the way England are going then fine. It's never been the GB/England way in the past and we have little experience in playing this way. That's not to say it's neccessarily wrong. However, it might not serve us well to try and play the Aussies at their own game. Just a thought...

Re: England Elite Squad : Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:25 am  

craigizzard wrote:

Souths' (ie. your man Maguire's) plan is to use Sam Burgess at 13 this season, whatever happened in the first game. But you obviously think you know better than him.

he rang you and told you that did he???

I don't think I know better than him, i'm just questioning the fact people think he should be played in a different position as to where his club coach plays him, despite the fact the majority on here probably haven't seen him play since he was last in an England jersey

Re: England Elite Squad : Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:37 pm  

Geoff wrote:

Chase, I agree, but Brough's having a pretty good season, he was the main factor in their wins over both us and Saints, and there aren't many with a better kicking game than him...

I dont doubt he has a good kicking game, but the rest of his game (IMO) is not International standard, although our choices are limited at halfback.

Re: England Elite Squad : Wed Mar 07, 2012 4:55 pm  

How the hell is Zak Hardaker anywhere near the England team and Atkins is overlooked again. Atkins has been outstanding for 2 seasons now and Hardaker looks just an average youngster at best at the moment

Re: England Elite Squad : Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:10 pm  

It's great to see Ryan Atkins getting some love. I do still think he's a bit of a bully though, by that I mean that he always shines against the lesser sides. I bet you've never seen him play Wigan and think "Atkins had a belter tonight". Good and potentially great player, but a lot of work to do.

Re: England Elite Squad : Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:01 am  

cherryandwhitedavid06 wrote:

How the hell is Zak Hardaker anywhere near the England team and Atkins is overlooked again. Atkins has been outstanding for 2 seasons now and Hardaker looks just an average youngster at best at the moment

Hardaker was embarrasingly poor against Castleford last week. How he has got in over Atkins is beyond me.

Re: England Elite Squad : Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:10 am  

Gary High wrote:

Hardaker was embarrasingly poor against Castleford last week. How he has got in over Atkins is beyond me.

How there's 11 Leeds players in the England setup is beyond me.

Re: England Elite Squad : Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:14 am  

Hardaker has a lot of potential, but is still developing as a centre. He also looks as though he's suffering a bit playing on the left TBH. At least he is big and quick, unlike so many threequarters we've picked in the past. Seems to me that he may be in for experience at this stage?

As for Atkins, he withdrew from selection last year didn't he? Has he made himself available? IMO Atkins was honest and brave in stating that the last time he played the Aussies his confidence got smashed. Maybe he wants to make sure he really believes he's up to it himself before trying again? Physically there's no doubt at all he'd be OK - the question is whether the rest of his game (setting up the winger and defensive positioning) is up to it.

We all need to hope Watkins stays injury-free and carries on developing his game. As well as being big and fast he also - unlike so many British centres including the likes of Senior - came into the game with a ready-made passing game from the start.