'13 WC | Semi Final | New Zealand 20-18 England | Wembley

[LeedsStorm]

By contrast Tomkins has 7 try assists, which was my original point, that Tomkins was far more effective working with the backs than Chase or Sinfield. Funny when hard facts go your way, isn't it?

Inglis has more assists from full back too. So are you suggesting you should omit Thurston and Cronk from the Kangaroos?

 

[BrisbaneRhino]

He didn't refuse to give Brough a go. Brough said he'd play for England if he was guaranteed first choice. McNamara told him he'd have to earn the spot, so Brough went off in a sulk. Brough has all but said exactly this happened.

There's no doubt at all Brough would have been in the squad if he'd been available - and the opportunity was always there for him to grab the starting halfback spot. He chose to take his bat home and not fight for a place.

McNamara may or may not be a good coach, but Brough playing for Scotland is all down to him.

 

[THE CHAMP]

I check the betting yesterday
NZ $1.33
England $3.35
England is getting 8.5 start at $1.90
I think England are good value at that price playing at home.
If they can damage SBW in the early exchanges they are a great chance.

 

[Billythekid]

I thought Sinfield was the right option. He just doesn't have the right halves partner. Even if he's not a great half, he's a great captain.

Is that supposed to be a compliment? We're talking about the most important position on the field. You also don't have to be playing there to be a captain. Chuck him at lock or something and he can still do that.

I realize England may not have the most options so i'm not sure what the best halves pairing is, but if it includes Sinfield it's pretty damn subpar. Chase is even worse.

 

[LeedsStorm]

Still pissed at the Golden Boot award then :lol:

 

[roughyedspud]

sinfield has won MotM in the last 2 or 3 games against nz....i expect he'll win it again on saturday lol

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I can't wait for this game. I keep changing my mind on who I think will win. England have their best team in a while, good momentum and the home ground advantage which will be massive at Wembley and Old Trafford (if they make it). They also don't have a mental block when it comes to beating the kiwis.

NZ have arguably the best Kiwi line up of all time and are arguably the best international side in the world at the moment (rankings aside).

I think if England win on Sat they will go down to the Aussies in a tight one the following week but if the Kiwis win I think they will defend their crown.

England will have to get off to a flying start though against the Kiwis.

 

[Billythekid]

Still pissed at the Golden Boot award then :lol:

The only golden boot winner i pretty much remember was Minicello and i don't know why i remember it. I'm not sure many people really pay attention to it down here.

sinfield has won MotM in the last 2 or 3 games against nz....i expect he'll win it again on saturday lol

I would love to see England win the whole world cup so this wouldn't bother me at all.

 

[Glen from the Mount]

Yes, we have a poor record against England in England. Hopefully with get an Aussie ref for this one as we would struggle with an English ref. Should be a great game to watch.

 

[ozbash]

Yes, we have a poor record against England in England. Hopefully with get an Aussie ref for this one as we would struggle with an English ref. Should be a great game to watch.

Cummins is reffing.

not sure who he hates most, us or England. probably even..;-)

 

[no name]

Don't confuse hatred with ineptness.

 

[roughyedspud]

why do we always get NRL refs?

 

[Ernest the Sheep]

Don't confuse hatred with ineptness.

easy mistake for a kiwi to make. Kiwis, as a nation suffer from a collective narcissism. That's why they are so much into conspiracy theories, and have the quaint notion that everyone is jealous of them.

 

[Joker's Wild]

why do we always get NRL refs?

He is Australian and therefore neutral in this game

Can you whinge a little more? Christ...

 

[Harrigan]

why do we always get NRL refs?

Who else would you have wanted, Alibert?

 

[Springs]

Reminds of a disrespectful British couple sitting behind me in Wrexham saying how Australia shouldn't be allowed to have a Southern Hemisphere ref (after I told them Perenara was NZ not Aussie), even though they were playing USA.

England seem proud of their record over NZ, so if you think you're that good it shouldn't matter that you have an NRL ref.

 

[Harrigan]

That's pretty much how I see it, and Cummins has been the best Aussie NRL in the tournament so far so I have no problems.

I heard on Saturday that Cummins and Silverwood might be swapping leagues next year too. I think that would be good for both of them. I'd like to see how an NRL ref copes with an ESL crowd every week. I think Silverwood would cement his place as the best ref in the world too.

 

[Joker's Wild]

What is so different about the ESL crowds?

 

[Harrigan]

A lot of crowds can have a bit of influence on the decisions a ref makes.

 

[Joker's Wild]

Same thing happens in the NRL mate. Its really no different