Widdop was MOM for me played a steady game at 6, not sure of our back row of Tomkins and Westerman. Clark OK in attack not so in defence, Roby still our No 1 hooker for me.
Can,t read a lot into this game, started off cold might play better as things go on.
Samoa looked as though they have improved in attack maybe the influence of Long.
Next game up we need to respect the ball a bit more and move up a bit quicker in defence.

I was v. disappointed in our performance at first, but watching Australia/NZ now, I've brightened up a bit.

There isn't a lot between these three sides in this year's comp, but we really need to sharpen up, especially with ball retention and ruck defence. That will come with game time but we haven't got that.

Smith and Widdop are a great 6/7 combo for me, their respective games/styles complement each other perfectly, and I thought both played well. Clark had the odd magic moment, S. Tomkins looked bright, and as ever, the Burgess brothers/Graham/Hill made good yards.

Greg Inglis drops a bomb = oh well it happens.
Sam Tomkins drops a bomb = get him in the centres.

Watkins is mystery, has everything in his locker to be the best centre in world rugby. Just isn't putting it together

I'm not one for clamouring to move Sam Tomkins, I think he's fine at FB.

But, I do think he has to be more dominant when the ball's in the air. He can't continue pulling out and letting the ball bounce. When the ball's on the deck, he mops up well, in the air, it's a different matter.

Agreed.

The differences being
1) it only happened once
2) Tomkins didn't drop anything, he didn't even attempt to catch them

Samoa could be the team to beat in the 4 nations with just a few rule changes.
Half the NZ side could play for Samoa, and two of the young Australians, Milford and Sione Mataútia, are also very proud Samoans. On the Toa Samoa facebook page they have been putting up photos of Milford setting up tables on the sideline for the Samoan side today, and Sione has a brother in the Samoan squad.
Most of these guys play for NZ or Aus because of the money. Change the rules a bit to make the money equal, and suddenly Samoa is very hard to beat.

I agree.

Meanwhile Bentham is doing a great job for us vs. Aus.

Ray Warren: 'I'm loving the job the English ref is doing tonight, letting the game flow.'

Never thought I'd hear the words . . .

He was excellent in defence. One loose carry apart he was solid.

they need follow up aswell. At best it's likely 3 more years until they play a top 3 side

Surely that was offside from the kick? The first bloke that passed it was infront of the kicker...

I don't disagree. I just think too often Watkins is solid or even good when he has the potential to absolutely dominate games.

Watkins has all the tools to be constantly dangerous. Too often he is solid.

That's what I was going to say. Too often solid. He is an explosive match-winner but you don't see it often enough.

I would like to see him stand slightly deeper, and run at gaps more. Space won't just magically appear at this level, you have to create it.

Tomkins could potentially be banned anyway for a knee twist on the Samoan lad in the 2nd half.

Poor ball retention allowed them into the game.

We had an 80% completion. They were 91%. We then had to make and extra 56 compared tackles to them.

Every stat is in their favour. But the final score.

For England.James Graham led the tackle count with 34. Westerman 33. Chris Hill made the most metres 115 (in 13 runs, joint runs with George Burgess)

Spotted that straight away. Not sure it was intentional though.

[url=http://live.nrlstats.com/matches/nrl/match33661.html[uOnly if you believe 4 missed tackles equates to "excellent in defence"[/u[/url.

I suppose it is in Whinos Fan World.

3) he made several try saving tackles which seem to be overlooked

1 and a half.

Is one and a half an "excellent performance" on your radar?

Or does that only apply to Leeds players who miss 4 tackles?

I heard the commentators say that Hodgson has gone to the NRL? I was baffled by that.

He was anonymous today and I've rarely noticed him in Super League. Solid grafter, but nothing special.

Clark had that one good run for the try and a shocking missed tackle for their try. He's still young though.

We miss Roby and McIlorum at Hooker. They dominate the rook area.

Interested to know why you think that?