While stating the obvious widdop is not a happy boy ! He has had a 1 to 1 with mcnamara asking why has the best paid player in the squad(after Tompkins possibly) with proven nrl experience against the best, and been flown from the other side of the world to be not given a chance and was told that sinfield "had" to play because this will be the last time that he plays for his country and was told his time will come in the future (if mcnamara has a future) but widdop stated that the south Africa trip was just like a holiday

for the players and that training is like being on a holiday camp and that our super league players would not be able to hack some proper training like in the nrl !

He's hardly set the world on fire when he has played,if he doesn't like it,walk away,no player is bigger than the team.

I was surprised Widdop even got on the 'plane to join the squad.
Everyone knows he's the best 6 in the England set up yet we all knew before the squad was named Sinfield would be ahead of him.
As for having a one to one with McNamara, I can't think of a worse way of wasting one's breath.
Poor lad, a real wake up call for him. From Craig Bellamy as coach to McNamara, just about as wide a gap in coaching ability as its possible to get.

I'd play Widdop over Chase any day

Who is this "Everyone"?

Yeah i'm sure all these evnts happened and then someone put them on the internet. Call me cynical

Made up nonsense.
Sportsmen can be pretty stupid, but I can't imagine any being stupid enough to use the argument that they were paid more or had travelled further as an argument for selection, rather than their ability or recent performances.
Nor can I imagine a coach telling a player he's not selected because another player is on his last time around.

SSM: You're very gullible (did you know, the word "gullible isn't in the dictionary?)

I've seen no evidence that he's the best 6 in the squad. So I must be excluded from "everyone."

I don't watch (or care about) the NRL. Perhaps if I had I'd have a different opinion. But I have only seen him when he's played for England, when he's never been above ordinary.

I share the view of the poster above that this whole (non) story is BS anyway.

I don't subscribe to the view that playing in the NRL guarantees selection. The competition down there probably isn't actually so superior to SL that every player in the NRL is better than every player in SL.

What about the other 100 or so fringe players from other teams who have traveled from the southern hemisphere.

Every single one of them would walk into the England team. Everyone knows that.

In the first two games Widdup got almost as much game time at 6 as Sinfield, when Sinfield mopved to 9 for Roby.

What has Widdop done with that game time compared to Sinfield and who looks the better player?

What on earth is it with modern players who feel they should be guaranteed selection. Brough became Scottish when he didn't get his way and now this (assuming this isn't just rumoured BS, which I am sure it is).

If you actually believe that I'd suggest you watch another sport!!!

All 100% true and me personally I think "sir kev" is a better player but when you get paid £320k a season maybe you think you are worthy of a shirt in a little old England team!

So because Sinfield wont get the chance to play for England again the coach picks him?
So the coach weakens the chance of winning the WC as he doesn`t want to upset Sinfield knowing he has a better option in Widdop?
And on that basis the coach will probably lose his job all for his love of Sinfield?
I can imagine Widdop is pretty peeved at not playing .
But I doubt he has said he earns more so should be in the 17.
Being paid more does not mean you are the best around.
I think someone has voiced an opinon but I doubt it was in a conversation between the coach and Widdop do you?
More likely Widdops dad.

Sinfield has been an 8/10 for the WC so far and on the evidence of the fiji game his relationship with Chase is getting stronger.As mentioned above, what has Widdop done when given a chance to stake a claim for the jersey? not too much imo.

The way Burrow slotted in to the impact bench role i don't think Widdop even merits a place on the bench for the remainder of the comp. and thats on form not reputation.

It depends what you want from your half back. If you want to play to a structure then I'd definitely choose Widdop over Chase. For instance, I think Chase would be wasted, and might even be a liability, at Wigan since their halves play to a system which is partly why Green and Smith fitted in so well (the other part being they're good players, well coached). If, as at Cas, you're prepared to build your team and play around Chase then he'll do well.

Seen much of the average Widdop have you?

Psssstttttt - not everything NRL is shiny and god like!!

Widdop fits into the England structure better than Chase. Widdop has never been given a start to show what he can do.

Why wasn't he able to show what he can do when coming off the bench?

If Widdop wanted selecting, he didn't do his own case much good with his performances against Australia and Ireland.

You want it, step up and grab it. Don't wait for it to be handed to you on a plate.

Clearly the tough mentality of the NRL hasn't sunk in yet.

In general, players aren't given a start - they earn it. Widdop hasn't.

What did either Sinfield or Chase do in the Italy game to earn selection for the Australia game?

Chase hasn't earnt his starts and cannot play in a structured environment.

Can't answer that one Sal - I didn't see it. Did Widdop feature in it too?

OK let's make it easier, what did Chase do in the Australia to earn selection for the Ireland game?