Firstly, I'd like to get rid of Brian Carney and Keith Senior. The English game has to revolve around the youth of a squad. Get rid of guys who carry baggage from previous loses. Senior hasn't played football in over two months while Carneys performance the other day was horrible. Inject Chev Walker/Paul Johnson into the centres and bring in Marc Calderwood.
The forwards lacked strength. Fielden and KC were the only two outstanding players in the squad. Without a strong 2nd row, Peacocks game fell something fierce. Gilmour should come off the bench while Johnson is a centre, not a second rower.
Garreth Ellis hasn't played lock since he left Wakefield so I don't see why he should play it at a rep level. Insert Ellis into the 2nd row along side Morely.
Iestyn Harris was sorely missed and Kevin Sinfield just didn't work with Deacon. Deacons kicking game is insane and should be utalised with his Bradford partner Harris.
The bench lacked strength. When you face the Kiwi's and the Roos, you don't name a halfback and a centre on the bench. You name three forwards and a hooker/utility. Jamie Thackery and Mick Higham were missed and I'm suprised as anyone they didn't make the squad. This is where GB fails the most. With Garreth Hock, Ryan Bailey, Terry Newton and Paul King all unavailble, GB lacks the depth most other teams have. I think it could be time to insert something fresh like Eorl Crabtree and John Wilkin
I think Wellens time as GB fullback is over. He's safe but too slow off the mark. Stuart Readon saves his arse so much last year and without him, you can see this flaws. I think we need to insert probably the most exciting up and coming player in the ESL, Richie Mathers. This guy is just an all round good player who is young and will only get better with time.
Why wasn't Paul Cooke brough into the side to replace Iesytn Harris? He was named in the Dream Team for a reason Noble, because he's a good friggin player! Even if you don't plan to keep him, at least give him a shot. Great Britains problem over the years has been playing two halfbacks and it confuses the players on who to follow. You could see this with Sinfield and Deacon.
Here would be my Game 2 side for the Aussies
1. Richie Mathers (Leeds)
2. Marc Calderwood (Leeds)
3. Chev Walker (Leeds)
4. Martin Gleeson (Warrington)
5. Karl Pryce (Bradford)
6. Iesytn Harris (Bradford)
7. Paul Deacon (Bradford)
8. Stuart Fielden (Bradford)
9. Keirron Cunningham (St Helens)
10. Jamie Peacock (Bradford)
11. Garreth Ellis (Leeds)
12. Adrian Morely (Sydney City)
13. Kevin Sinfield (Leeds)
14. Jamie Thackery (Hull) OR Ryan Bailey (Leeds)
15. Eorl Crabtree (Huddersfield)
16. Jon Wilkin (St Helens)
17. Micky Higham (St Helens)
