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

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

so...a world cup semi final and we go with a new halfback pairing!!!


what a f**king bellend

Yeah it's quite moronic to do it now.

 

[roughyed8]

Disregard.

England have made two changes from the 19-man squad they selected against France with the return of Melbourne Storm half-back Gareth Widdop and Leeds Rhinos forward Carl Ablett.

They replace Castleford Tigers half-back Rangi Chase and Wigan Warriors hooker Michael McIlorum ahead Saturday’s Rugby League World Cup 2013 semi-final against New Zealand at Wembley Stadium (1.00pm).

Widdop, who will play for St George Ilawarra Dragons in the NRL next season, has not figured in the tournament since England’s 42-0 victory over Ireland in the group stages. The Halifax-born pivot will be hoping to secure his place in the final 17, which will be announced by coach Steve McNamara 90 minutes before kick-off on Saturday.

“As with every week, the squad is picked with not only the opposition in mind but the best combinations for ourselves,” said McNamara.

“We have had a great week with our preparation and the players are ready to take on the world champions in what I believe is the biggest game we have been involved in since the Rugby League World Cup semi-final back in 2008.

“The players are well aware of the importance of the game and the improvements we have to make from our previous matches to give ourselves every chance of beating New Zealand.

“We will have to be at our best to win, but we’ll relish the pressure of playing against a quality team on one of the biggest stages in world sport.”

England’s 19-man squad for the RLWC2013 semi-final against New Zealand at Wembley Stadium on Saturday November 23 (1.00pm) is as follows (professional club and community club in brackets):

Carl Ablett (Leeds Rhinos, Hunslet Parkside)
George Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Dewsbury Moor)
Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Dewsbury Moor)
Rob Burrow (Leeds Rhinos, Featherstone Lions)
Josh Charnley (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)
Leroy Cudjoe (Huddersfield Giants, Newsome Panthers)
Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)
Brett Ferres (Huddersfield Giants, Smawthorne Panthers)
James Graham (Canterbury Bulldog, Blackbrook)
Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos, Oulton Raiders)
Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves, New Spring Lions)
Lee Mossop (Wigan Warriors, Hensingham)
Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)
James Roby (St Helens, Blackbrook)
Kevin Sinfield (captain) (Leeds Rhinos, Waterhead)
Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)
Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos, Latchford Albion)
Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves, Normanton Knights)
Gareth Widdop (Melbourne Storm, Kings Cross)

http://www.superleaguefans.com/rugb...widdop-and-ablett-for-rlwc2013-semifinal.html

Roby to start at 9 Burrow on the bench Sinfield to move to hooker when they interchange,
Ablett to start as centre is my guess.

 

[Jack Deth]

Word is that Chase and MM may have been booted out the squad earlier in the week. Anyway, lots of combos there now with Widdop and Burrow being selected. My confidence has rocketed with this news.

The kiwis would have been prepping for KS/RC now they have to work out what the halfbacks are going to be..KS/RB or KS/GW or GW/RB.

 

[nadera78]

Only an insane person would select Ablett over Watkins or Cudjoe.

Tomkins / Charnley / Watkins / Cudjoe / Hall.
Widdop / Sinfield.
Hill / Roby / Graham / Westwood / S. Burgess / O'Loughlin.
+ G. Burgess / Ferres / Burrow / Mossop.

Ablett and Farrell to miss out.

 

[Springs]

Finally he gets rid of Chase, only took him five weeks.

An untried Widdop is still miles better than a Chase/Sinfield combination that hasn't worked in three years.

 

[Springs]

Only an insane person would select Ablett over Watkins or Cudjoe.

Tomkins / Charnley / Watkins / Cudjoe / Hall.
Widdop / Sinfield.
Hill / Roby / Graham / Westwood / S. Burgess / O'Loughlin.
+ G. Burgess / Ferres / Burrow / Mossop.

Ablett and Farrell to miss out.

I'd have Farrell instead of Mossop. S. Burgess to move to prop when he comes on.

 

[roughyed8]

Only an insane person would select Ablett over Watkins or Cudjoe.

Tomkins / Charnley / Watkins / Cudjoe / Hall.
Widdop / Sinfield.
Hill / Roby / Graham / Westwood / S. Burgess / O'Loughlin.
+ G. Burgess / Ferres / Burrow / Mossop.


Ablett and Farrell to miss out.

We are talking about Mcnamara here :lol:

 

[ozbash]

ive said all long we'll beat the kiwis but probably come up short in the final against australia....the final is our goal,anything less is a failure...

but i have hope...eternal hope...that this year is our year....and we all know we have the team to beat the australians once (twice is still a problem)..and we only have to beat them once now...


bring on the kiwis!...then bring on the aussies for round 2

good luck, bro

I think/am pretty damned sure that whoever wins the kiwis v poms will take out the cup. Apart from a couple of stars, the geriatric kangaroos are a 60 minute team, at best.

 

[Bobby DIGital]

Damn I was looking forward to stomping all over that plastic lil prick Rangee Chase and his stupid peado Uncle Bully moustache. SBW would have had a field day with him.

It will be a relatively close game but i'm confident. From all reports we've kept our alcohol issues under control on this particular UK tour. I'd say that's due to Benji not being there. Apparently he was a bit of a bad influence in that regard. We bombed out in 09 & 11 cos we were on the piss a bit too much.

 

[LeedsStorm]

That's incredible. No pressure, Gareth

 

[shiznit]

Damn I was looking forward to stomping all over that plastic lil prick Rangee Chase and his stupid peado Uncle Bully moustache. SBW would have had a field day with him.

It will be a relatively close game but i'm confident. From all reports we've kept our alcohol issues under control on this particular UK tour. I'd say that's due to Benji not being there. Apparently he was a bit of a bad influence in that regard. We bombed out in 09 & 11 cos we were on the piss a bit too much.

Uncle Rangi Chase...

 

[Godz Illa]

That's incredible. No pressure, Gareth

Better late than never, but I fear it may be too late. He should have been given 80 in the quarters to prepare for this huge match

 

[LeedsStorm]

Better late than never, but I fear it may be too late. He should have been given 80 in the quarters to prepare for this huge match

No shit. Surely must be more disciplinary issues behind this? Can't think why else a head coach could be so moronic. Even Macbanana

 

[Harrigan]

I've not been on Twitter much this week but I hear it could be to do with a convo on there between him and Jamie Ellis?

 

[BrisbaneRhino]

The timing is a bit unfortunate, but I can see where McNamara is coming from, as he's been hoping against hope that Chase would fire. It hasn't happened, and after the last game he must have finally decided that in a do-or-die game he can't be relied on. His defence is good, but he looks to me like a confidence player who is very unsure of himself.

I don't think all that much pressure will be on Widdopp TBH - Sinfield will be the main decision-maker and kicker, and Tomkins is one of the key playmakers as well. In that sense Widdopp will be able to largely play as he does for the Storm, but to win England will need him to take more responsibility, and in particular get himself into positions to make plays. At the Storm he understandably got pushed out of the way by the big 3 at times - for England he'll need to do to others what Cronk does to him.

 

[LeedsStorm]

The timing is a bit unfortunate, but I can see where McNamara is coming from, as he's been hoping against hope that Chase would fire. It hasn't happened, and after the last game he must have finally decided that in a do-or-die game he can't be relied on. His defence is good, but he looks to me like a confidence player who is very unsure of himself.

I don't think all that much pressure will be on Widdopp TBH - Sinfield will be the main decision-maker and kicker, and Tomkins is one of the key playmakers as well. In that sense Widdopp will be able to largely play as he does for the Storm, but to win England will need him to take more responsibility, and in particular get himself into positions to make plays. At the Storm he understandably got pushed out of the way by the big 3 at times - for England he'll need to do to others what Cronk does to him.

All very well, but the fact is Widdop has started one game since June. One. It's an insane selection

 

[Diesel]

good luck, bro

I think/am pretty damned sure that whoever wins the kiwis v poms will take out the cup. Apart from a couple of stars, the geriatric kangaroos are a 60 minute team, at best.

Couldn't agree more

 

[Joker's Wild]

lol keep telling yourselves that boys

 

[Harrigan]

At the moment a 60 minute Aussie team is better than a 20 minute English team and a 40 minute Kiwi team.

 

[royce10]

The big 3 have all shown throughout the wc they're 40 minute teams. But it's hard to stay motivated against the minnows.

If all teams play to their full potential, I think NZ will defend their title.