***Rugby League World Cup 2008 Thread***

[Jakester1288]

Didn't El Masri play tests (or a test) before he played Origin too?

Indeed. It was in 2001, I can remember a picture of him with Mason.

 

[howardj]

disagree, if there was an origin game last week I'd imagine every one of those players except for Josh Perry (who has played Origin before) and David Williams (who happens to be the flavour of the month right now) would have been playing.

I think its a very fair squad and apart from Thaiday, Tupou, Cross and Hayne there isnt anyone who can be too upset with not being picked.

Yeah, that's four, plus Hunt and Johnson. And I'll eat my monitor if Cronk is not a better bet than Campese as a reserve in the halves.

So that's well over a quarter of the squad that I think they've got wrong.

Furthermore, Wolfman is a hack - he's a cult figure. It's outrageous that he's gifted what should be a hard to get green and gold jumper over bluechip players like Hayne and Hunt.

Also, Fitzgibbon was an utter flop in Origin this year. How the hell did he make the squad when Hindmarsh couldn't even make the initial squad of 46!

 

[Simon]

Yeah, that's four, plus Hunt and Johnson. And I'll eat my monitor if Cronk is not a better bet than Campese as a reserve in the halves.

So that's well over a quarter of the squad that I think they've got wrong.

Furthermore, Wolfman is a hack - he's a cult figure. It's outrageous that he's gifted what should be a hard to get green and gold jumper over bluechip players like Hayne and Hunt.

Also, Fitzgibbon was an utter flop in Origin this year. How the hell did he make the squad when Hindmarsh couldn't even make the initial squad of 46!

I'm not so sure with Hunt, its hard to argue with him being behind Slater and Stewart at the moment and we can only pick so many players. Three specialist fullbacks, plus Gidley too would be too many. Dallas Johnson wasnt really in line to be picked, he makes a lot of tackles but doesnt offer a whole lot else.
For this squad I think Campese offers more than Cronk, he can play centres and lock, kick goals and he also has what I would call the best long kicking game of anyone in the squad. Very much doubt he'll even get a match but I think he deserves his spot.

David Williams I agree on, no way should he be there, its an absurd inclusion. Fitzbiggon too, clearly well past his best as he showed in the second half of this year.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Whilst I agree with him having a poor second half, Fitzgibbon wasn't so bad in Origin considering he was playing well out of position thanks to Mr. Bellamy.

 

[Jakester1288]

I can't even name a proper side from our squad, that is how dire it is. This is what I got, after half an hour of thinking. I can't believe Crocker, Fitzgibbon and Perry are anywhere near an Australian jersey.

1. Billy Slater
2. Greg Inglis
3. Justin Hodges
4. Joel Monaghan
5. Israel Folau
6. Darren Lockyer
7. Johnathon Thurston
8. Petero Civoniceva
9. Cameron Smith
10. Steve Price
11. Michael Crocker
12. Glenn Stewart
13. Paul Gallen
Interchange:
14. Anthony Watmough
15. Anthony Laffranchi
16. Brent Kite
17. Kurt Gidley

 

[bryce]

5 minutes of tweaking... To avoid a backlash I chose not to put Campese in the centres

1. Brett STEWART
2. Greg INGLIS
3. Brent TATE
4. Justin HODGES
5. Israel FOLAU
6. Darren LOCKYER
7. Johnathon THURSTON
8. Petero CIVONICEVA
9. Cameron SMITH
10. Steve PRICE
11. Anthony LAFFRANCHI
12. Michael CROCKER
13. Glenn STEWART

14.Billy SLATER
15.Kurt GIDLEY
16.Craig FITZGIBBON
17.Brett KITE
18.Josh PERRY

 

[Jakester1288]

2 utility's on the bench is just overkill Bryce. We only need one, it and will (or should) be Gidley.

 

[bryce]

Yeah I suppose, god when Slater and Gidley are your utilities though

 

[Simon]

1 Billy Slater
2 Joel Monaghan
3 Greg Ingis
4 Justin Hodges
5 Israel Folau
6 Darren Lockyer (captain)
7 Johnathon Thurston
8 Steve Price
9 Cam Smith
10 Petero Civoniceva
11 Paul Gallen
12 Anthony Laffranchi
13 Glenn Stewart
Reserves
14 Josh Perry
15 Michael Crocker
16 Brent Kite
17 Kurt Gidley

Would almost put Terry Campese at lock to add some variety to the forward pack. The backrowers we have picked seem a bit too much the same but probably the best we have without Hoffman and Mason. Because of this I think Fitzgibbon will come into calculations somewhere.

Also would consider Slater on the wing with Stewart to fullback. I think though we need specialists there so its either Monaghan or Tate. Really think David Williams is the last of the outside backs to get a game.

Cant see what role Prince will play though. I guess with Thurston having played so little Football in the last four months he's there as back up, but Prince is in the same situation.

 

[bryce]

Would almost put Terry Campese at lock to add some variety to the forward pack.

I'd love to see that, he was in such good form that surely it could only benefit the side

Cant see what role Prince will play though. I guess with Thurston having played so little Football in the last four months he's there as back up, but Prince is in the same situation.

True that, he may get a run against the minnows

 

[Julian87]

Don't know how many times Gidley needs to fail as a utility or anything other than a fullback for people to realise this. Oh, and Myles was deadset robbed.

1 Billy Slater
2 Joel Monaghan
3 Greg Inglis
4 Justin Hodges
5 Israel Folau
6 Darren Lockyer
7 Johnathon Thurston
8 Steve Price
9 Cameron Smith
10 Petero Civoneciva
11 Michael Crocker
12 Anthony Laffranchi
13 Paul Gallen

14 Terry Campese
15 Brent Kite
16 Glen Stewart
17 Craig Fitzgibbon

NZ. Kidwell selected infront of Fraser Anderson is a joke.

1 Brent Webb
2 Manu Vatuvei
3 Steve Matai/Jerome Ropati, depending on SM's fitness
4 Setaimata Sa
5 Krisnan Inu
6 Benji Marshall
7 Nathan Fien
8 Nathan Cayless
9 Isaac Luke
10 Jeff Lima
11 David Fa'alago
12 Simon Mannering
13 Greg Eastwood

14 Jeremy Smith
15 Sam Rapira
16 Sika Manu
17 Lance Hohaia

Tonga. Besides the halfback, possibly a better team than NZ.

1 Fetuli Talanoa
2 Taniela Tuiaki
3 Michael Jennings
4 Andrew Emelio
5 Cooper Vuna
6 Feleti Mateo
7 Eddie Paea
8 Antonio Kaufusi
9 Louis Anderson
10 Lopini Paea
11 Fraser Anderson
12 Awen Guttenbeil
13 Anthony Tupou

14 Epalahama Leuaki
15 Mickey Paea
16 Willie Manu
17 Fui Fui Moi Moi

 

[Mister Wright]

Can't see the argument for origin players ahead of debutants, then Cronk's name gets bandied around, he hasn't played origin. I understand he's played a test before, but still, to be pedantic...

 

[BoyBrumby]

In the continuing absence of stedly I suppose it falls on me to perform the "Best England XVII" duties. I think it'll look something like this:

1. Paul Wellens (St Helens)
2. Ade Gardner (St H)
3. Martin Gleeson (Warrington)
4. Keith Senior (Leeds)
5. Lee Smith (L)
6. Leon Pryce (St H)
7. Rob Burrow (L)
8. James Graham (St H)
9. James Roby (St H)
10. Jamie Peacock (L) (captain)
11. Gareth Ellis (L)
12. Jon Wilkin (St H)
13. Kevin Sinfield (L)

14. Adrian Morley (W)
15. Maurie Fa'asavalu (St H)
16. Jamie Jones-Buchanan (L)
17. Danny McGuire (L)

Depressing thing is that it laregly chooses itself, with a couple of exceptions. I could see Morley starting ahead of Graham, but both will def be in the 17 & maybe Hock might edge out Jones-Buchanan on the bench or even Higham at a stretch if we want a second rake in the squad, but other than that I'd be fairly confident.

 

[chaminda_00]

I hope Stewart gets atleast one chance on the wing against a half decent side. So he can prove that he can play more then just one position. Would rather him on the wing any day of the week over Monaghan, Tate or Williams. Would rather him over Slater as well ITBT as a winger.

 

[chaminda_00]

With all this talk about players getting picked without Orgin experience. If you had to pick a NSW side tomorrow surely Campese would be in the halves, Williams on the wing, Perry and Kite in the front row (maybe not starting).

Don't think there is anyone in the squad apart from maybe Prince that wouldn't be playing for NSW or QLD if a side got picked tomorrow. The only reason Prince wouldn't be there is due to Thurston.

 

[NUFAN]

I'm looking forward to this tbh.

My Australian lineup.

1 Brett STEWART
2 Israel FOLAU
3 Greg INGLIS
4 Justin HODGES
5 Brent TATE
6 Darren LOCKYER
7 Johnathan THURSTON
8 Brent KITE
9 Cameron SMITH
10 Petero CIVONICEVA
11 Anthony LAFFRANCHI
12 Paul GALLEN
13 Glenn STEWART

14 Billy SLATER
15 Steve PRICE
16 Josh PERRY
17 Sam THAIDAY

18 Anthony WATMOUGH

^^ My team before the selection was made.

Now that Crocker was chosen [didn't think he would be as he's going to UK] i'll just do a straight swap with him and Thaiday.

Only other change I would consider is Monaghan in for Tate. Just cause he's so brilliant under the high ball. To avoid this.. Inglis could go to the wing and Tate centres too.

 

[Julian87]

I hope Stewart gets atleast one chance on the wing against a half decent side. So he can prove that he can play more then just one position. Would rather him on the wing any day of the week over Monaghan, Tate or Williams. Would rather him over Slater as well ITBT as a winger.

Disagree. Monaghan, Folau and Inglis should be the only three wingers considered.

 

[chaminda_00]

Disagree. Monaghan, Folau and Inglis should be the only three wingers considered.

Only problem is that they are three of your best centres as well.

 

[luffy]

Australia

1. Billy Slater
2. Israel Falou
3. Justin Hodges
4. Greg Inglis
5. Brent Tate
6. Darren Lockyear
7. Jonothan Thurston
8. Petero Civoniceva
9. Cameron Smith
10. Josh Perry
11. Anthony Laffranchi
12. Anthony Watmough
13. Paul Gallen

14. Brent Kite
15. Glenn Stewart
16. Craig Fitzgibbon
17. Kurt Gidley

Players Missed out and why.

Terry Campese- As much as i'd want him to be in the team, wouldn't be able to fit into 5/8th or halfback due to depth. Best chance will be when Australia is playing Fiji. Also, doesn't have the versatilityto be namedon bench.

Michael Crocker- Has been rumoured that he won't play, plus i don't like him.

Joel Monoghan- Would love him to be playing opposite wing/centre to Falou, just because they are great under the high ball, and would make the kicking in the air more predictable.

Scott Prince- Doesn't know Lockyear's game as good as Thurstan, and lacks big match experience. Would be good on the bench however.

Brett Stewart- In my opinion, lacks the impact which Billy Slater has. Whilst one of the best players around at the moment, I just believe Slater can have more of an impact later in the games when the forwards are tiring and such.

David Williams- Doesn't have the experience, even though he is a very good young prospect, won't be selected in front of the likes of Falou, Inglis and Hodges for the time being.

 

[speirz]

I hope Stewart gets atleast one chance on the wing against a half decent side. So he can prove that he can play more then just one position. Would rather him on the wing any day of the week over Monaghan, Tate or Williams. Would rather him over Slater as well ITBT as a winger.

I'd love to see Stewart on the wing as well. To me he looks like a natural winger more than he does a fullback.