Re: England vs Samoa : Mon Oct 28, 2024 4:56 pm  

I have a feeling Luke will com in for Havard and Junior in on the bench in place of Knowles. Having two 13's may have been insurance/planned knowing that Radley hasn't had much game time due to his recent injury and early exit from the play offs. Hopefully better for it next week and we get a full 80 mins from him.

Re: England vs Samoa : Mon Oct 28, 2024 5:40 pm  

Stu M wrote:

Sorry meant to quote this one

Not trying to turn this into a Saints v Wigan argument but Lees was the only forward bar Radley to run more than 100m and he also made 25 tackles in his 40 min stint

He had a decent game yesterday.

Lees should at least be on the bench , Burgess should be the one dropped for Thompson

Re: England vs Samoa : Mon Oct 28, 2024 6:46 pm  

Thought Lees went ok can't see him being dropped from the 17.
Think Waney will go with Thompson and Burgess as staring props.
I'd be very surprised to see Nsemba selected as this is his first season in SL. Perhaps Wane brought him into the squad to let him know what an International squad is. Their abilities, standards and expectations.
Feel Ashton will keep his place and Marshy will sit this one out too.

Re: England vs Samoa : Mon Oct 28, 2024 7:41 pm  

Stu M wrote:

Sorry meant to quote this one

Not trying to turn this into a Saints v Wigan argument but Lees was the only forward bar Radley to run more than 100m and he also made 25 tackles in his 40 min stint

He had a decent game yesterday.

I’m not saying he didn’t I just personally felt Havard went better….but I’ve not watched it back on tv which often changes my perception of a game from watching it live.

I’d think Thompson comes in for Lees of Knowles as his form has been excellent this year, but again he may miss out due to the ban and someone else taking advantage.

It’s great to have options and debate around the depth of an English team!

Re: England vs Samoa : Mon Oct 28, 2024 8:32 pm  

He did well Lees. I didn't think he should've made the dream team but he's a good player. At international level I feel like he's valuable because like Havard, he's fit as a fiddle and can deal with a fast paced game. You just need to make sure you've got some size/power around him.

Re: England vs Samoa : Mon Oct 28, 2024 8:39 pm  

Thompson will come in for Knowles. Knowles is a long minutes player and doesn't have the impact doing shorter stints

Re: England vs Samoa : Mon Oct 28, 2024 11:14 pm  

Watched it back tonight. Lees went well so he definitely won't be the one to make way. I thought the half back debate was stopped in its tracks. Smith was superb and everything came off the back of him. My MOM.

Re: England vs Samoa : Mon Oct 28, 2024 11:31 pm  

Ashton Bears wrote:

What was the total today.

15,137

Re: England vs Samoa : Tue Oct 29, 2024 7:10 am  

For some reason I’m not able to quote but in response to @Phuzzy, I actually don’t think there is in reality a half back debate because Smith is the only natural half back in the squad.

The debate really should be Williams or Lewis not Smith or Lewis.

Smith is a natural halfback and both Lewis and Williams are highbrid 5/8ths who could do a job at half back.

Whilst Lewis and Smith both wear 7 for their club sides they play different roles and Smith is by far the better half back of the 2 with his kicking game, organisation play and game management.

That’s not slating Lewis because he does things that Smith can’t too particularly as a running threat and whilst both Williams and Lewis could “do a job” playing the half back role neither are as good as Smith is in that position.

Re: England vs Samoa : Tue Oct 29, 2024 9:01 am  

jonh wrote:

For some reason I’m not able to quote but in response to @Phuzzy, I actually don’t think there is in reality a half back debate because Smith is the only natural half back in the squad.

The debate really should be Williams or Lewis not Smith or Lewis.

Smith is a natural halfback and both Lewis and Williams are highbrid 5/8ths who could do a job at half back.

Whilst Lewis and Smith both wear 7 for their club sides they play different roles and Smith is by far the better half back of the 2 with his kicking game, organisation play and game management.

That’s not slating Lewis because he does things that Smith can’t too particularly as a running threat and whilst both Williams and Lewis could “do a job” playing the half back role neither are as good as Smith is in that position.

that was virtually the pre-match debate, and all 3 former pros (Wilkin, Brown and Peacock) picked Smith because of his control and ability to do it in the big games

Wilkin did show some stats which showed the difference between Smith and Lewis, but it just really showed that Lewis ran the ball more / backed up, as he scored more tries, made more metres and more tackle bursts. We all know that Smith rarely takes on the line, but creates space for those around him, and his tactical kicking in game is outstanding