England train on squad

Gazzly · 09-10-2009, 10:50 AM

So far:
Chris Bridge (Warrington Wolves, Waterhead)
Shaun Briscoe (Hull Kingston Rovers, Wigan St Patricks)
Tom Briscoe (Hull FC, Featherstone Lions)
Sam Burgess (Bradford Bulls, Dewsbury Moor)
Garreth Carvell (Warrington Wolves, Stanningley)
Tony Clubb (Harlequins, Greenwich Admirals)
Eorl Crabtree (Huddersfield Giants, Huddersfield YMCA)
Peter Fox (Hull Kingston Rovers, York Acorn)
Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers, Castleford Lock Lane)
Ben Harrison (Warrington Wolves, Barrow Island)
Mickey Higham (Warrington Wolves, Leigh Miners)
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (Harlequins, Greenwich Admirals)
Scott Moore (Huddersfield Giants, Blackbrook)
Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves, Eccles)
Richard Myler (Salford City Reds, Halton West Bank)
Stefan Ratchford (Salford City Reds, Wigan St Patricks)
Michael Shenton (Castleford Tigers, Upton)
Paul Sykes (Bradford Bulls, Thornhill Trojans)
Danny Tickle (Hull FC, Parkside Golborne)
Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves, Normanton Knights)

Players from Saints and Leeds have yet to be added.

WannabePopper · 09-10-2009, 12:42 PM

That's a good forward back with the likes of Ellis, Burgess, Morley.

It's your backs you need to worry about. Who do you reckon will play fullback?

It's obviously gunna be that tosser Price inthe halves, but who's gunna partner with him?

tom180 · 09-10-2009, 01:40 PM

fullback would be paul wellens isnt it?

Luckyman333 · 09-10-2009, 01:41 PM

Yep Paul Wellens.

Gazzly · 09-10-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WannabePopper

That's a good forward back with the likes of Ellis, Burgess, Morley.

It's your backs you need to worry about. Who do you reckon will play fullback?

It's obviously gunna be that tosser Price inthe halves, but who's gunna partner with him?

Shaun Briscoe will get the fullback role, it's a shame that we're losing Lee Smith to union because he was looking like a promising player in that position. This is why we need Widdop to develop in the NRL so we can have a fullback that is actually dangerous.

I wouldn't rule out McGuire starting, I think Myler will get the call over Burrow for the France game at least, I think he'll just see how he goes in that before deciding who he picks for the NZ/Aus games. Personally I'd keep Myler for the games against Aus and NZ, but given time Eastmond will be better I think. Might be worth running out Tomkins for the France game if possible. Pryce is a one trick pony, he has a good side step but no organisational skills.

Ellis, Burgess, Morley, Peacock, Graham, Crabtree, our forward pack is really good.

The centres is one of our weaker positions, Senior is considering coming out of retirement and I'd actually welcome this with open arms, Hall has been top try scorer this year in Super League and will make the train on squad after the grand final and I think Senior and Hall on that left side would be brilliant.

Gazzly · 09-10-2009, 01:43 PM

Paul Wellens is tried, tested, and failed. It won't be Paul Wellens, Shaun Briscoe got the call for the France game and I fully expect him to get the call in the 4 nations.

WannabePopper · 09-10-2009, 01:55 PM

It's your 2, 3, 4, 5 that really let's England down. They're still playing the kind of game where the forwards are moving with big runs and making good metres, but there is not enough creativity in the wings and centres..

*sighs*

I used to quite enjoy the UK vs Australia games.

Nickotopolous · 09-10-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazzly

Paul Wellens is tried, tested, and failed. It won't be Paul Wellens, Shaun Briscoe got the call for the France game and I fully expect him to get the call in the 4 nations.

I saw Paul Wellens play not long ago. He kicked 0 from 8 goals and the last one was right infront to draw the game.

Gazzly · 09-10-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WannabePopper

It's your 2, 3, 4, 5 that really let's England down. They're still playing the kind of game where the forwards are moving with big runs and making good metres, but there is not enough creativity in the wings and centres..

*sighs*

I used to quite enjoy the UK vs Australia games.

It's the number 1 aswell! That's the thing, in the past our forwards have got us in a good enough position so many times, but then the backs just can't do anything, it's just hot potato rugby, pass and hope, and it gets us no where against the Aussie defence.

I honestly think we have some creativity coming through though, Gary Wheeler at St Helens looks incredible and with Eastmond, Tomkins, Myler all coming through, the future looks brighter than it used to. Although we still sign a lot of overseas players the quota rules mean we have to bring more and more through the ranks. I think Leeds and Saints at the best 2 teams at doing this, and for the last 3 years they've contested the grand final.

EDIT:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickotopolous

I saw Paul Wellens play not long ago. He kicked 0 from 8 goals and the last one was right infront to draw the game.

Yeah, Paul Wellens is not a natural goal kicker, that's something which Saints lack since Sculthorpe left. But to miss 8 goals!

WannabePopper · 09-10-2009, 02:04 PM

Maybe we'll see something different this year. England should stop buying Australian backs so they can train their own

Gazzly · 09-10-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WannabePopper

Maybe we'll see something different this year. England should stop buying Australian backs so they can train their own

Yep, luckily with the quota rules getting stronger every year teams are bringing more players up.

A reason why we used to sign an overseas player at every opportunity was because of the threat of relegation, no team wants to be relegated because they lose so much money, players have to take pay cuts and can't afford mortgages or anything anymore. I know we still sign a lot, but the number will gradually go down.

It would also be nice if union got stuffed aswell.

WannabePopper · 09-10-2009, 02:12 PM

I'm totally psyched for this tournament. Even France has a good side.. LOLOL! Even France

I reckon England has a good chance, cause the cold and rain suits their style of play more than the flashy style the Aussies play and the constant offloads from the Kiwis.

Union is on the downer in most countries due to the complete boringness of it. 40 or 50 points scored each game, 1 or 2 tries. And Rugby League teams have started poaching players back in Australia, scouts from the Roosters and Brisbane have gone to South Africa Union training camps and are poaching players from there etc.

I expect English League quality will pick up greatly in the coming years.

Gazzly · 09-10-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WannabePopper

I'm totally psyched for this tournament. Even France has a good side.. LOLOL! Even France

I reckon England has a good chance, cause the cold and rain suits their style of play more than the flashy style the Aussies play and the constant offloads from the Kiwis.

Union is on the downer in most countries due to the complete boringness of it. 40 or 50 points scored each game, 1 or 2 tries. And Rugby League teams have started poaching players back in Australia, scouts from the Roosters and Brisbane have gone to South Africa Union training camps and are poaching players from there etc.

I expect English League quality will pick up greatly in the coming years.

I really do hope the French have a good tournament, the only professional coaching job Bobby Goulding has had other than the France job is with Rochdale, the team I go for. If anything he can get them fired up and if the France - Fiji match from the world cup last year is anything to go by they can't have put on some hits when they want too.

My brothers a union player, but even he says if he had to pick any one code it'd be league. The main problem in this country is that when none rugby fans think of rugby they immediatley think "Jonny Wilkinson, everyone diving on each other in the tackle, drop goals, the bloodgate scandal involving Harlequins, big burley men with messed up ears". It's getting rugby league to the public, rugby league is getting more views on Sky than some Premiership Football games, and the National League coverage is at a record high. Unfortunatley for the players though, it's where the money is.

England will improve I think, the gap will gradually start closing now.

Sammy G · 09-10-2009, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WannabePopper

That's a good forward back with the likes of Ellis, Burgess, Morley.

It's your backs you need to worry about. Who do you reckon will play fullback?

It's obviously gunna be that tosser Price inthe halves, but who's gunna partner with him?

They might choose Danny McGuire. Rob Burrow will be the halfback and Danny McGuire is his half pearing at Leeds. It changes all the time but I beleive Danny McGuire is a lot better than Leon Pryce.

Nickotopolous · 09-10-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammy G

They might choose Danny McGuire. Rob Burrow will be the halfback and Danny McGuire is his half pearing at Leeds. It changes all the time but I beleive Danny McGuire is a lot better than Leon Pryce.

Maybe put Pryce in the centres. Didn't he start there before making the change? Like Inglis did.

WannabePopper · 09-10-2009, 04:51 PM

I liek Danny McGuire a lot better than Leon Pryce.. Maybe it's just my Aussie coming out after he bagged Australia.. But I dont' reckon Pryce really should get in at all. He's really done nothing for English RL.. LOL!

I don't get to watch every game or anything, cause we're limited to one game per week on channel 9, but the few games I saw of his, he wouldn't have been worthy of a spot in the Aussie team

He's kinda like Braith Anasta I think. A fringe rep player.

Luckyman333 · 09-10-2009, 05:44 PM

here come the insults with Anasta again...

WannabePopper · 09-10-2009, 05:46 PM

Dude, I love Anasta. I wish he had of been picked as Blues 5/8 at the beginning of this series.

What I mean is, he's good enough to play there, in rep circles, but there are other players better than him. Same with Leon Pryce.

I talk to Anasta all the time after games, and he went to school with a few of my mates. He's a top bloke and a great player.

Luckyman333 · 09-10-2009, 06:02 PM

Ohk then... interesting never kenw that lol.

WannabePopper · 09-10-2009, 06:38 PM

One of my friends used to play against him in lower grades as well..

He also played against Ryan Cross, and I remember being at a game where my mate tackled Ryan Cross and Ryan Cross started crying

Luckyman333 · 09-10-2009, 07:04 PM

Lmao crying!? Hahahha

Vatuvei Beast!!! · 09-10-2009, 08:30 PM

what happened to joe westerman is he injured or something

wolves fan · 10-10-2009, 05:16 PM

8-13 we are fine, we are more then capable of competing with the Aussies. 1-7, truly horrible, they are going to be terrorized, our lack of not quality backs, but just *decent* backs is disturbing, I feel sorry for the forwards who have to represent the same country as them. Both Australia and New Zealand will have a field day scoring out wide, it will be as easy as slicing a knife through butter.

In fact even the French will have better backs then us, especially with the inclusion of Greenshields and Mogg.

1.Briscoe<Greenshields
2.Hall>Stacull
3.???<>???
4.???<Raguin
5.Fox<Pelo
6.Tomkins/McGuire<Mogg
7.Burrow/Eastmond<Bosc

Paul Wellens - his days at full back for England are well and truly over. Briscoe will be ahead of him

Pryce - after Gleeson was left out I think Pryce will be too.

I would like to see Tomkins at 6 for us. Only 20 but by far the best ball handling half we've got and a much better kicker then McGuire and Burrow. If Tomkins first test is a disaster then play McGuire for the rest of the series.

7 Has to be Burrow which is rather embarrassing. Myler is way over-hyped, got no way near enough quality for test matches.

Kyle Eastmond is an option at half back or centre but i'm not sure if his defence is up to it yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vatuvei Beast!!!

what happened to joe westerman is he injured or something

Very average this year, probably 7 or 8 players ahead of him. Back row is one position we are pretty strong in.

Nickotopolous · 10-10-2009, 05:20 PM

Play Brent Webb at fullback through residency

Gazzly · 13-10-2009, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolves fan

7 Has to be Burrow which is rather embarrassing. Myler is way over-hyped, got no way near enough quality for test matches.

Kyle Eastmond is an option at half back or centre but i'm not sure if his defence is up to it yet.

I agree with the comment about Myler, for mine Burgess should have got man of the match against France. Eastmond will definatley be there in time, infact one of the things that impresses me about him is actually his defence for such a wee man.

I'd like to see Tomkins have a go, I think McGuire was one of our best in what was a shocking world cup campaign though, but he doesn't have the organisational skills we so desperatley need.

Just found this, actually:
http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbylea...Nightlead.html

Nth-Qld-Raider · 13-10-2009, 02:09 AM

Leon Pryce is a rubbish 5/8, he is a ball hog, put him at Centre of get rid of him, thats St Helens biggest problem, Pryce playing 5/8.

Who will St Helens have at halfback next yr with Shaun Long leaving, who will they use at 6 and 7 in 2010.

Gazzly · 13-10-2009, 02:18 AM

England look to the future for autumn internationals

Monday 12th October 09

England coach Tony Smith has named three new faces in his 24-man squad for the forthcoming Gillette Four Nations against Australia, France and world champions New Zealand.

Sam Tomkins, the 2009 engage Super League Young Player of the Year, is joined by Warrington Wolves utility back Chris Bridge and Kyle Eastmond, the St Helens half-back who delivered a strong performance in defeat at Old Trafford last Saturday.

Tomkins and Bridge are also included in Smith’s 20-man squad for the Gillette Fusion International against Wales at The Brewery Field, Bridgend, this Saturday, October 7.

All three players short-listed for the 2009 Super League Young Player of the Year award, Tomkins, Eastmond and Richie Myler, are included in England’s Gillette Four Nations squad, which also features three other players aged under 21.

“It’s great to see some young and fresh faces in there, this is very much a squad for now and a squad which looks to the future,” said England Head Coach Tony Smith.

“These young players will do a good job for us alongside the wealth of experience that exists elsewhere in the squad.

“The depth of talent reflects the increasing numbers of exciting young players who are emerging from engage Super League.”

The Gillette Four Nations squad is drawn from 11 clubs, 10 from engage Super League and one from the NRL, Wests Tigers who are represented by Gareth Ellis.

Leeds, the 2009 engage Super League champions, have the greatest presence with five players: Kevin Sinfield, Danny McGuire, Ryan Hall, Lee Smith and Jamie Peacock.

St Helens, the 2009 Grand Final runners-up, have three representatives in Kyle Eastmond, James Graham and Jon Wilkin.

Those eight players will be rested for this weekend’s Gillette Fusion International against Wales at The Brewery Field, Bridgend, on Saturday when Smith will be looking for the players involved to make a big impression.

“For some of them it’s a good chance to show that they can make the step up on to the international stage; for others it’s an opportunity to blow off some cobwebs and build confidence and form going into the Four Nations.”

The 20-man England squad for the Gillette Fusion International against Wales at The Brewery Field, Bridgend:

(Club side and community club 7in brackets)

Chris Bridge (Warrington Wolves, Waterhead)
Tom Briscoe (Hull FC, Featherstone Lions)
Sam Burgess (Bradford Bulls, Dewsbury Moor)
Garreth Carvell (Warrington Wolves, Stanningley)
Tony Clubb (Harlequins, Greenwich Admirals)
Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers, Castleford Lock Lane)
Peter Fox (Hull Kingston Rovers, York Acorn)
Ben Harrison (Warrington Wolves, Barrow Island)
Mickey Higham (Warrington Wolves, Leigh Miners)
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (Harlequins, Greenwich Admirals)
Scott Moore (Huddersfield Giants, Blackbrook)
Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves, Eccles)
Richard Myler (Salford City Reds, Halton West Bank)
Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)
Stefan Ratchford (Salford City Reds, Wigan St Patricks)
Michael Shenton (Castleford Tigers, Upton)
Paul Sykes (Bradford Bulls, Thornhill Trojans)
Danny Tickle (Hull FC, Parkside Golborne)
Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)
Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves, Normanton Knights)

The 24-man England squad for the Gillette Four Nations is:

Chris Bridge (Warrington Wolves, Waterhead)
Shaun Briscoe (Hull Kingston Rovers, Wigan St Patricks)
Sam Burgess (Bradford Bulls, Dewsbury Moor)
Garreth Carvell (Warrington Wolves, Stanningley)
Eorl Crabtree (Huddersfield Giants, Huddersfield YMCA)
Kyle Eastmond (St Helens, Oldham St Annes)
Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers, Castleford Lock Lane)
Peter Fox (Hull Kingston Rovers, York Acorn)
James Graham (St Helens, Blackbrook)
Ryan Hall (Leeds, Oulton Raiders)
Danny McGuire (Leeds, East Leeds)
Scott Moore (Huddersfield Giants, Blackbrook)
Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves, Eccles)
Richard Myler (Salford City Reds, Halton West Bank)
Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)
Jamie Peacock (Leeds, Stanningley Rangers) (captain)
James Roby (St Helens, Blackbrook)
Michael Shenton (Castleford Tigers, Upton)
Kevin Sinfield (Leeds, Waterhead)
Lee Smith (Leeds, Drighlington)
Paul Sykes (Bradford Bulls, Thornhill Trojans)
Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)
Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves, Normanton Knights)
Jon Wilkin (St Helens, East Hull)

http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=15657

__________________________________________________ ___________

It sure is better than our World Cup squad.

Interesting to see Lee Smith in there considering he's off to kick a ball into touch for 5 years.

I've not seen that much of Paul Sykes this year, anyone know if he's stepped up at all?

I hope Eastmond gets the scrum-half gig for France at least.

Chris Bridge at centre perhaps? I'd like to see that.

That's a very dangerous forward pack we have.

No Saints or Leeds players in the squad for Wales as expected.

Gazzly · 13-10-2009, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nth-Qld-Raider

Leon Pryce is a rubbish 5/8, he is a ball hog, put him at Centre of get rid of him, thats St Helens biggest problem, Pryce playing 5/8.

Who will St Helens have at halfback next yr with Shaun Long leaving, who will they use at 6 and 7 in 2010.

Kyle Eastmond will secure himself the Number 7 jersey. Pryce will once again be 6, although I think it's only a matter of time before Gary Wheeler puts his name forward for stand-off.

I'd like to see Pryce in the centres again.

wolves fan · 13-10-2009, 04:01 AM

Much better then I had expected. Pryce, Wellens, Gleeson, Gardner, etc. being snubbed is great after years of doing nothing.

My comments on Eastmond were made before the final and my opinion has changed, I think he is the best option we have at centre and looks more then capable of defending, just seems to get the wind taken out of himself a little too easy. I know he wants to be a half but I don't think he has it in him to control a game just yet.

IMO our backs have to be:

1.Briscoe
2.Smith (fox had way too many f-ups in the last 4 weeks of the season)
3.Bridge/Shenton
4.Eastmond
5.Hall
6.McGuire (experience needed in halfs if your going to play a young lad)
7.Tomkins (Listed as a 6 at wigan but pretty much plays 7 as T.Leuluai does nothing but run in attack)

Giving us Fox, Birdge/Shenton, Sykes and Myler as back up.

Wouldn't like to have to choose who plays in the forwards though, way too difficult to decide who misses out.

wolves fan · 13-10-2009, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolves fan

In fact even the French will have better backs then us, especially with the inclusion of Greenshields and Mogg.

1.Briscoe<Greenshields
2.Hall>Stacull
3.???<>???
4.???<Raguin
5.Fox<Pelo
6.Tomkins/McGuire<Mogg
7.Burrow/Eastmond<Bosc

I didn't expect Smith to change the squad so drastically, so I think we will just about cope with the French now

1.Briscoe<Greenshields
2.Hall>Stacull
3.Bridge/Shenton>???
4.Eastmond>Raguin
5.Smith>Pelo
6.McGuire<Mogg
7.Tomkins<Bosc

Australia will still batter us out wide though. Will be interesting to see who France come up with for the right centre position. Can't think of anyone at the moment.

Gazzly · 13-10-2009, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolves fan

I didn't expect Smith to change the squad so drastically, so I think we will just about cope with the French now

1.Briscoe<Greenshields
2.Hall>Stacull
3.Bridge/Shenton>???
4.Eastmond>Raguin
5.Smith>Pelo
6.McGuire<Mogg
7.Tomkins<Bosc

Australia will still batter us out wide though. Will be interesting to see who France come up with for the right centre position. Can't think of anyone at the moment.

Moggs pulled out of the 4 Nations, I've heard it's because his wife/girlfriend is expecting a baby, but they still have some handy players in there.

I know it may be a bit soon for him, but for the France game at least I'd like to see Eastmond given a shot at scrum-half, if this fails, he would still be our most dangerous centre. From memory he will be on the opposite side to Inglis, thankfully.

Can you give me more of an insight as to how well Bridge has been playing this year? He always seems like a decent enough player.

Ours forwards will be a nightmare to pick, they're pretty much all there on merit.

Wasn't it 2007 where the French only just lost to NZ? More of the same France! (Well, not against us)

LeedsRL1994 · 13-10-2009, 05:14 AM

We will not have Eastmond at centre, FACT! Shenton and Sykes will be at the Centres. Its pretty upsetting that Keef has not considered coming back into the Internatioal game, after the season he had, he would of been a real threat to any side. Can't see why Westwood is in the 24 man squad, seen as he is USELESS! overall, a very average team.

Gazzly · 13-10-2009, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeedsRL1994

We will not have Eastmond at centre, FACT! Shenton and Sykes will be at the Centres. Its pretty upsetting that Keef has not considered coming back into the Internatioal game, after the season he had, he would of been a real threat to any side. Can't see why Westwood is in the 24 man squad, seen as he is USELESS! overall, a very average team.

Average compared to the Aussies perhaps (well, only the backs), but it's considerably better than our world cup squad.

This is very easy on the eye to read:
http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=15658

More than half the world cup team axed, and rightly so.

I'd sooner see Bridge in the centres than Sykes also. Senior would've deserved it though had he been picked.

LeedsRL1994 · 13-10-2009, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazzly

Average compared to the Aussies perhaps (well, only the backs), but it's considerably better than our world cup squad.

This is very easy on the eye to read:
http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=15658

More than half the world cup team axed, and rightly so.

I'd sooner see Bridge in the centres than Sykes also. Senior would've deserved it though had he been picked.

Yes, the forward are good, but I can't see them tracking back to run down Inglis or Slater. Another player who should of got in (Call me bias, but ok) is Matt Diskin, had a very good season in replacement for Buderus.

Gazzly · 13-10-2009, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeedsRL1994

Yes, the forward are good, but I can't see them tracking back to run down Inglis or Slater. Another player who should of got in (Call me bias, but ok) is Matt Diskin, had a very good season in replacement for Buderus.

Diskins not bad, but I can't see him at international level. I think it might have been the start of last year where his form was incredible, I want to see him play like that again.

I think we really have to use all of Australias injuries to our advantage, our forward pack has the power to punish theirs, so we desperatley need to finish all the chances we get.

wolves fan · 13-10-2009, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazzly

Can you give me more of an insight as to how well Bridge has been playing this year? He always seems like a decent enough player.

Ours forwards will be a nightmare to pick, they're pretty much all there on merit.

Wasn't it 2007 where the French only just lost to NZ? More of the same France! (Well, not against us)

Bridge has been good for us, TBH he is playing pretty much the same way as Gleeson did for us, runs the same lines, definitely a "wingers centre" like Gleeson, and can create something out of nothing like Gleeson does at club level (although he never seems to get any ball at Wigan). One thing he does have over Gleeson is pace and ability to brake the line from deep.

Having looked at Catalans squad, Jean Phillipe Baile will fill that other centre spot, he has had a great season IMO, very dangerous player, I think the French look the strongest they have ever been going into this competition. Everyone seems to be fit.

If that is true about Mogg they will go with either 6.McGuire 7.Bosc with Rinaldi at 9, or 6.Bosc 7.Greseque and keep with the plan of McGuire at 9.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeedsRL1994

We will not have Eastmond at centre, FACT! Shenton and Sykes will be at the Centres. Its pretty upsetting that Keef has not considered coming back into the Internatioal game, after the season he had, he would of been a real threat to any side. Can't see why Westwood is in the 24 man squad, seen as he is USELESS! overall, a very average team.

Sykes????

I hope not. How can you forget that disastrous match against the Kiwis last year?

Gazzly · 13-10-2009, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolves fan

Bridge has been good for us, TBH he is playing pretty much the same way as Gleeson did for us, runs the same lines, definitely a "wingers centre" like Gleeson, and can create something out of nothing like Gleeson does at club level (although he never seems to get any ball at Wigan). One thing he does have over Gleeson is pace and ability to brake the line from deep.

Having looked at Catalans squad, Jean Phillipe Baile will fill that other centre spot, he has had a great season IMO, very dangerous player, I think the French look the strongest they have ever been going into this competition. Everyone seems to be fit.

If that is true about Mogg they will go with either 6.McGuire 7.Bosc with Rinaldi at 9, or 6.Bosc 7.Greseque and keep with the plan of McGuire at 9.

Glad to see the words "wingers centre", it's what we need, a lot of Wakefield fans said that is one thing which Ryan Atkins ISN'T.

Catalans will definatley be better than the 12-66 drubbing earlier in the season, but we should still be too powerful for them. I'm expecting sparks in the opening exchanges, when Goulding used to coach Rochdale he didn't half get us fired up.

France squad for Four Nations: (Catalans Dragons unless stated): Jean-Philippe Baile, Kane Bentley, Thomas Bosc, Remi Casty, Vincent Duport, Olivier Elima (capt), Jamal Fakir, David Ferriol, Mathieu Griffi (Toulouse), Romain Gagliazzo (Carcassonne), Cyril Gossard, Clint Greenshields, Maxime Greseque (Pia), Casey McGuire, Sebastien Martins, Christophe Moly (Carcassonne), Dimitri Pelo, Sebastien Raguin, Teddy Saddaoui (Carcassonne), Cyril Stacul, Julien Touxagas, Frederic Vaccari (UTC), Constant Villegas (Toulouse).

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugb...ue/8295947.stm

wolves fan · 13-10-2009, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazzly

Glad to see the words "wingers centre", it's what we need, a lot of Wakefield fans said that is one thing which Ryan Atkins ISN'T.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugb...ue/8295947.stm

Atkins is a poor centre IMO, no doubt he will have moved into the backrow in a few year. Doesn't have the skills needed to be a top centre. Waste of a transfer fee by Warrington IMO. Don't see where he fits in, looks like king will be moving to the wing and Riley will cover injury, Penny back out on loan.

Also I will be very disappointed if we don't make the final. We have a full squad to pick from as far as i'm aware this year, don't think anyone's missing who may have been considered.

We beat NZ three-nill in a test series 2 years ago and their squad has been hampered with injuries this year. Asotasi, Mannering, Vatuvei and Moimoi are just a few of the many players out for them.

Gazzly · 13-10-2009, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolves fan

Atkins is a poor centre IMO, no doubt he will have moved into the backrow in a few year. Doesn't have the skills needed to be a top centre. Waste of a transfer fee by Warrington IMO. Don't see where he fits in, looks like king will be moving to the wing and Riley will cover injury, Penny back out on loan.

Also I will be very disappointed if we don't make the final. We have a full squad to pick from as far as i'm aware this year, don't think anyone's missing who may have been considered.

We beat NZ three-nill in a test series 2 years ago and their squad has been hampered with injuries this year. Asotasi, Mannering, Vatuvei and Moimoi are just a few of the many players out for them.

Agreed, anything other than this will probably be deemed a failure.

Atkins has never done anything of note for me, it does seem a bit quizzical Tony Smith bringing him to Warrington.

wolves fan · 13-10-2009, 06:21 AM

It is Wales I feel sorry for. Last year they were hammered by a bunch of teenagers and fringe players, this year they are lining up against 17 of:

Chris Bridge (Warrington), Tom Briscoe (Hull), Sam Burgess (Bradford), Garreth Carvell (Warrington), Tony Clubb (Harlequins), Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers), Peter Fox (Hull KR), Ben Harrison (Warrington), Mickey Higham (Warrington), Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (Harlequins), Scott Moore (Huddersfield), Adrian Morley (Warrington), Richard Myler (Salford), Sean O'Loughlin (Wigan), Stefan Ratchford (Salford), Michael Shenton (Castleford), Paul Sykes (Bradford), Danny Tickle (Hull), Sam Tomkins (Wigan), Ben Westwood (Warrington).

How would they possibly deal with a pack including Burgess, Carvell, Ellis, Higham, Morley, Moore, O'Loughlin, Tickle and Westwood. A weaker side put 60 past France earlier this year. I fear for something terrible and embarrassing is going to happen here

I hope Smith at least leaves O'Loughlin, Morley and Ellis out.