Bennett names SL England high performance squad for WC prep

[adamkungl]

http://www.skysports.com/rugby-leag...cmeeken-named-in-wayne-bennetts-england-squad

England's 31-man elite performance squad: L Gale, Z Hardaker, M McMeeken, M Shenton (all Castleford), L Cudjoe, J McGillvary (Huddersfield), D Houghton, S Taylor, J Shaul (Hull FC), B Ferres, R Hall, S Ward, K Watkins (Leeds), K Amor, J Greenwood, J Lomax, M Percival, J Roby, M Smith (St Helens), K Brown, D Clark, M Cooper, B Currie, C Hill, S Ratchford (Warrington), J Bateman (Wigan), J Burgess, L Farrell, S O'Loughlin, S Tomkins, G Williams (Wigan)

A lot of quality in there. England will be going into the WC with a good preparation, 1 or 2 test matches under their belts. The worry for them (aside from the obvious one of playing Australia and NZ in the SH) is the season length and burnout - SL players might have an extra 4-6 games on most NRL players. Hopefully their workload is managed well throughout the year.

 

[roughyedspud]

Whats funny is matty smith has a grand final winning season last year ,a proven partnership with george williams and has,arguably,been england most consistant player over the last 18month..and isn't selected for the 4 nations..

Breaks his leg in a pre season game and gets selected...lol

 

[adamkungl]

Bennett's half rotation in the 4N was diabolical.

 

[roughyedspud]

Said that before the comp kicked off..he f**ked up big time

 

[adamkungl]

Said that before the comp kicked off..he f**ked up big time

Yep you, me and many others.
Smith and Williams was the obvious choice imo.

Pretty excited about G Williams this year, he honestly looks a step above the competition and he's only young, if he puts it together consistently he could be anything.

 

[rooster25]

Bennett's half rotation in the 4N was diabolical.

Yeh the selections were very strange and not Bennett like where he usually picks and sticks.

Williams should of been first half chosen and he showed that in the tournament as the only English half who would run and create something for outside backs.

Widdop was the big disappointment and he did not deserve a spot in the last game vs Aust, where he continued he's bad form by missing touch for a penalty at a crucial time. It's not like he was setting the world on fire in the NRL either..

England need one half to organise things and another to be able to create something. With what I've seen Williams and Smith fit this for me but English fans watching SL every week would know more than me.

 

[adamkungl]

Widdop is really really bad. He's not a good half at NRL level.