ENGLAND

[h.prescott@yahoo.co.uk]

Yes I would go with that Wigan 6. How could anyone overlook the Chanley-Goulding combo? Did the England coach not see Wigan play all year? What does Burrows do? Well, he 'scoots'! Is he likely to do anything else? I think not? How did Roby get picked as he's played hardly any rugby in months. He probably got picked the same way he got the Man of Steel. Lockers has not played much but he's featured in two finals and over the last few years he's one of the very few England players who were outstanding. The team leaves much to be desired.

[josie andrews]

Rugby League World Cup 2013: James Graham omitted from squad amid speculation of drinking punishment

Prop forward James Graham is thought to have been given a one-match ban after reportedly taking part in the drinking session which led to Gareth Hock's expulsion from the World

Former captain James Graham has been left out the England team to face Australia in Saturday's opening World Cup clash with Australia amid speculation that he has been punished for his part in the drinking session which led to Gareth Hock's expulsion from the tournament.

The 28-year-old Canterbury Bulldogs prop forward was the notable absentee from coach Steve McNamara's 19-man squad named on Thursday.

Hock, who failed to turn up for a swimming session on Sunday after sleeping in, claimed in a BBC interview on Wednesday that he was one of "six or seven" players who broke the seven-day alcohol ban in the wake of England's shock defeat by Italy at Salford on Saturday.

Complaining that he had been made a scapegoat, Hock claimed that McNamara had told him that the other players involved in the breach of rules would also be disciplined.

England have refused to comment on Graham's absence but he appears to have been effectively handed a one-match ban.

The former St Helens skipper played in the friendly against Italy and was thought to be a certainty to win his 19th cap against the Kangaroos at the Millennium Stadium.

The 28-year-old forward, who led England on the 2010 Four Nations tour down under following the loss through injury of Jamie Peacock and Adrian Morley, was player of the year for Canterbury Bulldogs in 2013.

In Graham's absence, McNamara has turned to 21-year-old Tom Burgess, who joins twin brother George and older sibling Sam in the 19-man squad, which will be trimmed to 17 before kick-off.

Sam and George both played against the Italians while Tom played for the England Knights alongside Huddersfield second rower Brett Ferres, who was drafted as a replacement for Hock on Tuesday and has been handed a place in the 19.

Wigan second rower Liam Farrell is the fourth uncapped player in the squad, which lacks loose forward Sean O'Loughlin after he failed to recover from injury.

McNamara travelled with his squad to Cardiff on Thursday, hoping to leave behind the trail of devastation that has marred their preparation for the World Cup.

"The players have trained well all week and we are ready to take on Australia," said McNamara.

"We have healthy competition for places across all areas. The players are aware of this and continue to put in the effort in training to make sure they are prepared and ready for what should be a thrilling game.

"There is a sense of anticipation and determined resolve amongst the group. This is what we all have been working for over the last few years. We know we are going to have play well to win.

"Our focus on the tournament and throughout the year has been about being the best we can be. We respect all opponents but the aim is to focus on ourselves and continue to improve.

"You sense there is real momentum around the tournament. As a team you want to play on the biggest stages of all and nothing can beat that.

"We are very excited to be playing at one of the most iconic stadiums in the world and our aim is to put on a performance that excites the nation."

England's 19-man squad: C Ablett (Leeds), G Burgess, S Burgess, T Burgess (South Sydney), R Burrow (Leeds), J Charnley (Wigan), R Chase (Castleford), L Cudjoe (Huddersfield), L Farrell (Wigan), B Ferres (Huddersfield), R Hall (Leeds), C Hill (Warrington), L Mossop (Wigan), J Roby (St Helens), K Sinfield (Leeds, capt), S Tomkins (Wigan), K Watkins (Leeds), B Westwood (Warrington), G Widdop (Melbourne).


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyl ... hment.html

[RobWigan]

Mcilorum out as well, so that leaves James Roby who as hardly played, no Graham or Hock to rough the aussies up! And whoever mentioned Goulding for England? Not.international class

[markill]

Mcilorum out as well, so that leaves James Roby who as hardly played, no Graham or Hock to rough the aussies up! And whoever mentioned Goulding for England? Not.international class

No Hardaker either

[markill]

England team? Surely Mcm means Yorkshire team. Of the 19 I worked out 13 are from Yorkshire and 5 starters play for Leeds. What's going on? Leeds did nothing all season. Goulding and M Smith should be in the squad and not because they play for Wigan but are currently the form backs in their respective spots. So to ensure he gets all his Leeds pals in, he even puts two of them out of position rather pick an elite squad that was fit for purpose in the first place.

What do you mean 13 Yorkshire and 5 starters? Has he announced a team yet? thought it was just a 19 man squad?

I make it (by 2013 team) 4 Aus, 8 Yorkshire, 7 Lancashire/West of pennines. (0 Humberside where McNamara is from incidentally.)

Without checking, I think 10 were born in Yorkshire, 1 Midlands/South, 7 Lancashire/Cumbria/North West, 1 overseas.

I think there is a balance to strike bewteen form and consistency. The ETS isn't a bad idea as players can make their own connections with each other through regular meet ups with the same group of players who are generally the best players for selection. Maybe also, the old 'form is temporary, class is permanent' saying works both ways. Leeds have won nothing this year, but have been to all the finals in the previous two seasons, so their players must be pretty good and their big match experience is second to none, despite what we all want to be the case.

There are some questionable omissions, Smith and Gouldning two obvious ones form a Wigan point of view, but then what about Kirmond? What about Ratchford? Wilkin? Crooks? Lineham? Lomax? All clubs will have players that their fans think should be playing in the world cup but aren't, lets support the squad that has been selected.

[cpwigan]

Strikes me the squad / team has a 'Leeds' issue, one McNamara never never dealt with, even cow toyed to. When you play in rep teams avoiding the 'us' and 'them' feeling in the same squad is a HUGE factor!

[RobWigan]

when will people realise that Sinfield and burrow just aint good enough for international standard

[East Stand Faithful]

Is Sinfield selected because he can kick goals?

If he wasn't in the team who would kick?

Widdop should be in for Sinfield or chase.

[josie andrews]

Is Sinfield selected because he can kick goals?

If he wasn't in the team who would kick?

Widdop should be in for Sinfield or chase.

He's not been very good at that lately

[Owd Codger]

How could Brett Ferres be selected ahead of Liam Farrell when he was only a late replacement for Hock?

I am sure that if Graham, Mcllorum and O'Loughlin had been playing, we might have had a better chance of winning.

Would the Aussies have suspended two of their better players for a game of this importance.

I think not!