Re: England 19-Man Squad for the Quarter Final Against PNG : Sat Nov 05, 2022 7:37 pm  

Trainman wrote:

Wane has been quoted as saying he just wasn’t selected.

That’s interesting. Personally, I think we need more punch off the bench and therefore I would choose Thompson to replace either Lees or Cooper. Hill and Burgess have been excellent but our levels drop when they are substituted. Also, Welsby needs to insert himself into the game he needs to take the line on when we are playing to top teams. I thought he was very average today but fortunately Williams and Tomkins were very good.

Why did Welsby not touch down when Johnson dropped the ball? Had Makinson not had the presence to do so I think he would have had egg on his face and the commentators may have had something negative to say about him!

Re: England 19-Man Squad for the Quarter Final Against PNG : Sat Nov 05, 2022 7:46 pm  

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/sh ... ct-update/

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/sh ... ct-update/

Re: England 19-Man Squad for the Quarter Final Against PNG : Sat Nov 05, 2022 7:47 pm  

Zig wrote:

That’s interesting. Personally, I think we need more punch off the bench and therefore I would choose Thompson to replace either Lees or Cooper. Hill and Burgess have been excellent but our levels drop when they are substituted. Also, Welsby needs to insert himself into the game he needs to take the line on when we are playing to top teams. I thought he was very average today but fortunately Williams and Tomkins were very good.

Why did Welsby not touch down when Johnson dropped the ball? Had Makinson not had the presence to do so I think he would have had egg on his face and the commentators may have had something negative to say about him!

I think too much is expected of Welsby now since his performance against Samoa. I don’t think he was very average today, just quieter. Everything goes through Williams so he touches it a couple more times than Welsby every set.

Also it was his effort in the first place for that try that led to the mistake from Johnson. Brown commented on it in terms of the speed and effort of his kick chase. Without that there’s no mistake.

Was also interesting to hear Radley on a podcast describe Welsby as a freak of a player. There’s also believed to be renewed NRL interest in him with moves for him expected after the WC.

Re: England 19-Man Squad for the Quarter Final Against PNG : Sat Nov 05, 2022 8:46 pm  

Stu M wrote:

I think too much is expected of Welsby now since his performance against Samoa. I don’t think he was very average today, just quieter. Everything goes through Williams so he touches it a couple more times than Welsby every set.

Also it was his effort in the first place for that try that led to the mistake from Johnson. Brown commented on it in terms of the speed and effort of his kick chase. Without that there’s no mistake.

Was also interesting to hear Radley on a podcast describe Welsby as a freak of a player. There’s also believed to be renewed NRL interest in him with moves for him expected after the WC.

I can’t agree with you Stu regarding today’s performance, I accept that he never gives up and chasing that kick caused a mistake but Williams and Tomkins were streets ahead today. He needs to take the ball to the line rather than just dropping it off for Bateman. I agree with Radley he is a good player but he as a way to go to prove himself at the top level.

Re: England 19-Man Squad for the Quarter Final Against PNG : Sat Nov 05, 2022 8:51 pm  

Zig wrote:

I can’t agree with you Stu regarding today’s performance, I accept that he never gives up and chasing that kick caused a mistake but Williams and Tomkins were streets ahead today. He needs to take the ball to the line rather than just dropping it off for Bateman. I agree with Radley he is a good player but he as a way to go to prove himself at the top level.

Not sure how you can say that? This WC is the first time he’s played at International level and against Samoa he was outstanding. Yes I accept he was quiet today but as I’ve said everything went left side to Williams.

Can’t really judge anyones performances against France and Greece and of course he played centre against Greece.

Re: England 19-Man Squad for the Quarter Final Against PNG : Sat Nov 05, 2022 9:18 pm  

Stu M wrote:

Not sure how you can say that? This WC is the first time he’s played at International level and against Samoa he was outstanding. Yes I accept he was quiet today but as I’ve said everything went left side to Williams.

Can’t really judge anyones performances against France and Greece and of course he played centre against Greece.

It’s irrelevant how many times he has played at international level, I am simply commenting on today’s game. He will need to step it up dramatically. A half back playing behind such a dominant pack, especially in the first half, should have had a field day and, in my view, he was pretty anonymous.

Re: England 19-Man Squad for the Quarter Final Against PNG : Sat Nov 05, 2022 9:21 pm  

Pleased to see a really competitive game tonight between NZ and Fiji - hopefully the same tomorrow.

Re: England 19-Man Squad for the Quarter Final Against PNG : Sat Nov 05, 2022 9:45 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

Pleased to see a really competitive game tonight between NZ and Fiji - hopefully the same tomorrow.

It was an excellent contest but, in my view, Tom Grant’s decision was very fortunate for the Kiwis.

Re: England 19-Man Squad for the Quarter Final Against PNG : Sat Nov 05, 2022 10:17 pm  

Zig wrote:

It was an excellent contest but, in my view, Tom Grant’s decision was very fortunate for the Kiwis.

Yes I agree - there was no stripping motion which I think is the only way you can distinguish between a loose carry and a steal.

In a way its only been the (perhaps unexpected) strength of England that has led to a couple more mismatches than people thought they would get. Lebanon competed with NZ, PNG the same against Tonga, Fiji did great against NZ and hung in there against Australia.

Re: England 19-Man Squad for the Quarter Final Against PNG : Sat Nov 05, 2022 11:01 pm  

Trainman wrote:

Wane has been quoted as saying he just wasn’t selected.

This is correct. He has no injury