Not a great game but I feel more upbeat of Englands chances of an outside bet of making the final.
Realistically we all know we can’t consistently compete with the Aussies or the Kiwis however from what I saw today I’m not too worried about the others.
Our issues clearly lay mainly at 9. I thought McIllorum went well. Controlled the ruck really well and guided the team round the park superbly. It was no coincidence we lost all structure in attack when we took him off and McShane came on. He had a stinker.
I’d love Roby to give it one last go before hanging up the boots for good. Way I see it he has nothing to lose and he is still easily the best 9 in SL.
Welsby is a freak of a player and will surely be NRL bound sooner rather than later.
Bateman was fantastic at 13 playing the role he struggled to when he first moved back to loose for Wigan providing a genuine link between the backs and forwards whilst also doing the tough stuff.
Watkins had a decent second half but was poor first however we have Farnworth who walks into that team and is genuinely top class add Newman Gildart Wardle and Percival other centre options. We have Dom Young to come in as an outside back providing competition for Hall, who I felt went well.
The halves went well, Welsby already covered but Williams looked much more at home under his old coach with Lomax and a wild card or Hastings to join up with the squad.
Burgess, Whitehead, Sutton, and Thompson all bring NRL intensity toughness and intensity to the pack.
Tomkins like Wane is marmite. Tomkins though is a quality creative outlet and a safe pair of hands at the back.
Wane knows how to win big games and is a quality man manager whose style suits international rugby. It’s not always pretty to watch though.
I don’t expect us to win it but I can see us making the final if the Kiwis have an off day.
I certainly expect us to beat Tonga.