Our England lads. : Sat Nov 08, 2014 9:44 am  

I feel we have learned some interesting things about our representatives and it has also highlighted some issues as well.

Charnley showed he is solid and will finish if given the opportunity, could probably up his work rate.

Farrell can be very useful and still young hopefully he can establish himself and kick on at this level. The negative though again is his frustrating ability to give away a daft penalty at a crucial time.

Locky even in one leg gives his all never takes a backward step and if we can get him fit for just one international tournament I am sure he will get the recognition he deserves.

Sarginsson, massive positive impact for me and a real success story. Went out with a few question marks over him but comes back as the best British centre in the league. Hopefully this gives him the platform he needs to become a real classy centre for many many years to come at Wigan.

Re: Our England lads. : Sat Nov 08, 2014 10:14 am  

Don't disagree with most there but I only really see Farrell being a nearly man at international level as in nearly making the break, nearly being able to offload etc. I don't doubt his work rate and quality as being a good player, just not quite got it to be a success at that level.

As for the ones not mentioned, Smith and Joel. Smith is another classic good player at SL level and not got that bit extra to win us the big games but I wouldn't really know who to pick in front of him tbh. Joel did well considering his limitations in his size which to me he doesn't look like the athlete he was before he went to union, I'm sure Bitcon will sort that out. Again didn't quite have the quality to get us on top. Having said that Ferres and Whitehead aren't the great hopes that other fans seem to think.

Re: Our England lads. : Sat Nov 08, 2014 10:16 am  

jonh wrote:

Sarginsson, massive positive impact for me and a real success story. Went out with a few question marks over him but comes back as the best British centre in the league. Hopefully this gives him the platform he needs to become a real classy centre for many many years to come at Wigan.

Would agree with this.When i saw his name on the sheet last week i thought Mcnamara had lost the plot but he has been superb.Should only get better and i really like his confidence, he isn't phased and seems to have a swagger about him and you need that on the biggest stage.From a Leeds point of view i hope it gives Watkins the kick up the backside he needs.He has coasted most of this season and stagnated some what and been found wanting at times these last few weeks.However he does posses so much quality so if he can lift his game again we could at last have two cracking centres on the international stage.

O'Loughlin was great too today, that pass to Charnley was sublime and his workrate is always very impressive.As you say, its such a shame he always seems on the cusp of injury but a top player.

Re: Our England lads. : Sat Nov 08, 2014 10:29 am  

I thought Liam Farrell really struggled in defence against the big Kiwi forwards, Joel Tomkins tried really hard but will need to add a couple of kilos to have more impact.
Dan Sarginson was again very impressive, looks a classy player and great to see.
Matty Smith was steady and will get better from the experience.

Re: Our England lads. : Sat Nov 08, 2014 10:43 am  

Tournament as a whole-

Charnley- Solid but can play better. He always looks a little short of confidence at this level. He's had zero ball from Watkins who isn't fulfilling huge potential and looks injured half the time.

Sarginson- Sensational and these two games should kick him on to bigger and better things. I don't know how it happened but the penny dropped about centre play around August and now he looks a gem. The more he plays like today the more I see a player that reminds me of Martin Gleeson in his pomp with more pace and less demons.

Smith- Solid tournament. Very good in the first two games but a bit off today. He'll probably be around the squad for a while.

Tomkins- Good game today, his best since his return. He was difficult for the Kiwis to pull down and seemed more confident. He can and will play much better given time and a good pre season.

Farrell- I thought he played ok again and is always close to breaking the line. I think his lack of size is highlighted more at this level though and I think it will always see him as a player that flits in and out of squads rather then being a nailed on starter.

Lockers- Top class. He's not fit but then he rarely is and yet he still produces the goods. He would grace any club side or international side in the world along with James Graham.

Re: Our England lads. : Sat Nov 08, 2014 11:34 am  

Sarginson the best British centre. You've got to laugh.

Why are Smith and J.Tomkins absent from this celebration of all things Wigan ? Is it just because they're crap and have been shown up ? Too hurtful to include them in the OP, if only for an element of balance ?

Re: Our England lads. : Sat Nov 08, 2014 11:56 am  

Even though I think Farrell has played OK overall and it's Tomkins has received a lot of stick, some of it justifiable I actually think it's Tomkins whom has the biggest future at this level of the 2. Farrell is solid but Tomkins has that extra physical presence you need in the back row at this level, and hopefully has he readapts to RL he'll iron out some of his weaknesses.
Matty Smith did what he was selected to do and provided control in the midfield but I do hope we can find a half back that can provide the control and shape we need as well as a running threat too. Of the 2 halves he was the best of the 2 IMO.

Flanders did well as expected.

England have found their replacement for Keith Senior at long last. A genuine quality left centre in Sarginson. To be fair I thought both centres were good today.

Charnley, hmmm. I don't think he's out of his depth at this level like some seem to, however he doesn't look confident at this level at times, and when he's in space I'd like to see him back himself more. Saying that I do think that if Tom Lineham can stay fit he'll walk into the side.

Re: Our England lads. : Sat Nov 08, 2014 12:09 pm  

SLS wrote:

Sarginson the best British centre. You've got to laugh.

Why are Smith and J.Tomkins absent from this celebration of all things Wigan ? Is it just because they're crap and have been shown up ? Too hurtful to include them in the OP, if only for an element of balance ?

To be honest I forgot about them which speaks volumes on their performance. JT had his best game today and signs are good for the future but this tour was too soon for him.

Smith formed a decent partnership with Widdop but needs to inject himself more in the game like he does at Wigan.

Sarginson has clearly been the best centre on tour so I can't really understand why it is such a stretch to call him the best English centre. He now needs to kick on and put a full season together with the quality and confidence he has hopefully got from this experience.

Re: Our England lads. : Sat Nov 08, 2014 12:10 pm  

Ok, i think i'm getting the gist here... England did well, but it's the Wigan players fault we lost.. Ok, right, carry on...

Re: Our England lads. : Sat Nov 08, 2014 12:50 pm  

The only game ive managed to watch is this mornings vs New Zealand.

Sarginson really stood out to me, looks like he has learned to pass to his winger, either that or he has more faith in Hall than he does in Burgess. Looking forward to seeing how he goes next year.