'13 WC | Group A | England 34-12 Fiji | KC, Hull

[Timmah]

19-man squad: Carl Ablett, Tom Briscoe, George Burgess, Sam Burgess, Rob Burrow, Rangi Chase, Leroy Cudjoe, Liam Farrell, Brett Ferres, James Graham, Ryan Hall, Chris Hill, Michael McIlorum, Lee Mossop, Sean O’Loughlin, Kevin Sinfield (c), Sam Tomkins, Kallum Watkins, Ben Westwood

19-man squad: TBC


Referee
Ben Cummins (AUS)
Touch Judges: Jamal Thompson (AUS) & Grant Atkins (AUS)
Video Referee: Shayne Hayne (AUS)​

 

[Misanthrope]

As much as I'd like to see Fiji upset England (they've certainly got a squad capable of it), I reckon the English will be too good over the 80 and win a close one.

 

[Springs]

So he drops Widdop but not Chase?

What's wrong with this coach? Surely this was the last chance to give Widdop 80 minutes? Chase has been awful.

 

[stormbati]

If its a dryish track, no rain, Fiji are a chance.

 

[adamkungl]

Danger match for England if they arent switched on.

If they are, they should win it easily.

 

[Moffo]

I wonder what start the tab will give Fiji? Anything over 8.5 and I'm smashing it

 

[vamosrafa]

If Fiji had Sutton and Haynes in the halves, or any decent halves for that matter, I think they would have taken England.

 

[1stNov2000]

Is Sutton injured or did he just make himself available?

 

[Timmah]

England: Carl Ablett, Tom Briscoe, George Burgess, Sam Burgess, Rob Burrow, Rangi Chase, Leroy Cudjoe, Liam Farrell, Brett Ferres, James Graham, Ryan Hall, Chris Hill, Michael McIlorum, Lee Mossop, Sean O’Loughlin, Kevin Sinfield (c), Sam Tomkins, Kallum Watkins, Ben Westwood

http://www.leagueunlimited.com/news/show/rlwc2013-week-3-teams

 

[Misanthrope]

If Fiji had Sutton and Haynes in the halves, or any decent halves for that matter, I think they would have taken England.

I fancied them highly for second in their group even with just Sutton named in the squad. They sorely need a playmaker.

 

[roughyedspud]

england by plenty..

 

[flamin]

Heading towards a sellout.

 

[CC_Roosters]

England by plenty. But McNamara is clueless, I hope this is just rotation to give widdop a rest but I'm reality he probably needs the gametime

 

[LeedsStorm]

I'm extremely hesitant to back MacNamara, as he is quite clearly a tool, but I actually thought the Sinfield- Chase combo worked pretty well against Australia, which has been quite possibly England's better performances of late. I'm a big Widdop fan, but coming into the side so late, limited international experience at 6 in this team and the big injury mid season, might be a risk against a decent Fiji outfit.

 

[nadera78]

I'm doing my best to put aside my dislike of McNamara but he isn't making it easy for me. I just don't get what he sees in Ablett, he's the epitome of a good club player. It's a criminal waste of a bench spot to have him there.

As for Widdop, well I'd have played him from the start. But McNamara obviously wants a Sinfield / Chase pairing so is desperately trying to give them more time together to make it work. It's a bit like the Lampard / Gerrard combo in the football team - everyone knew it wasn't working but we persisted with it for 10 years hoping something would come of it.

That said, we'll still win by plenty. Be a tough game though.

 

[Jack Deth]

I'm doing my best to put aside my dislike of McNamara but he isn't making it easy for me. I just don't get what he sees in Ablett, he's the epitome of a good club player. It's a criminal waste of a bench spot to have him there.

As for Widdop, well I'd have played him from the start. But McNamara obviously wants a Sinfield / Chase pairing so is desperately trying to give them more time together to make it work. It's a bit like the Lampard / Gerrard combo in the football team - everyone knew it wasn't working but we persisted with it for 10 years hoping something would come of it.

That said, we'll still win by plenty. Be a tough game though.

Could not of said it better. I honestly think his selections and combo's will cost us in the end.

 

[Diesel]

England by 10

 

[tumbidragon]

England by 26. No Uate, no points.

 

[Patorick]

England by 10

Not far off.

 

[Harrigan]

I think everyone has massively overestimated Fiji after that first win against Ireland. England are a good 20 points better than these guys on a bad day.

With the selections I still expect a comfortable win. If England go down the right side Watkins will have a field day.

England 42-14