For all his poncing about for the cameras in the week leading up to the game, trying to be the centre of attention, Luke Gale once against showed what non cas fans already knew.

Regards

King James

I'm not going to moan about individuals, some could've played better and some were superb. We didn't deserve the try against at the end but we've got plenty to build on.

To give praise to individuals, I can't speak highly enough of McGillvary and Roby. They were sensational.

Widdop was also great. Can’t believe some would move him to FB when he’s had such an impact at SO.

Wingers great too. Roby was very strong. So was SBurgess till his injury. Thought Hill and Graham went ok too.

Gale and the centres need to improve.

Lomax I’m not sure about. He dropped some balls which stands out, but he also added the extra man and created questions for the defence throughout. I was swearing at him, but noted that the Aussies credited the back three after the game.

first half we just couldnt get any field position, aussies pinned us back every time... we got off too a perfect start mind! did anyone else notice the bbc commentary was ahead of the game? annoying.

second half we were alot better, roby changed the game for us, we grew in confidence and thats the way we can beat them...hope to meet again in the final now.

for me lomax should not be playing, ratchford would be so much better (shame it isnt hardaker in the first place!)

we lost burgess too which any team would miss, hope they can get him ready for the comp later on.

oh and a note of the ref, what a difference it makes to watch a game thats allowed to flow! sl refs please take note.

interesting the ref corrected thaler when thaler was going to give the aussies a penalty!

Agree with that. And in some cases dropping players helps them liven up, instead of just coasting because regardless of how they play they're still going to be in the team.

The problem in my opinion is until we get a decent international calendar, we're going to keep doing it because like I said it becomes better the devil you know. More international rugby would give us more of a chance to test new players giving them an opportunity.

I don't want to pick on players, but Kalum Watkins is an example of someone who is picked regardless of how he's played. Because we know what he can do. More internationals gives us a chance to see other players, and gives him the kick up the backside he needs.

I don’t think Lomax should be scapegoated, he made the same number of errors as the Australian full back.

He dropped the kick which he should have held. The other error he made came about from the winger coming out of the defensive line to stop him from putting Batemen or Hall away.

In the second half when we started playing, he made a few good balls to put us away down the right hand side. He was isolated by the Aussie kicking game as they tried to pin him back. I know some don't like the idea of stats, but Lomax made 144m from 17 carries.

Was actually far better than I expected - thought theaussies were blowing at the end .

Both wingers were brilliant in my opinion. Other notable performances were Graham, Widdop and Roby. I'm probably gonna get shot by the other Cas fans on here, but I'm sorry Gale isn't an international half. If someone can tell me what Heighington brings to the team I'm all ears, but my opinion is absolutely nothing! He should be nowhere near that team, he was cr@p last time he was in the squad and he was cr@p today. Ref made a few mistakes, but on the whole he had a good game and, more importantly for me, let the game flow. I'm not too disheartened by todays performance, but I don't know where we are going to get that extra few percent needed to beat them. I hope I'm wrong though and we can beat them when it matters the most, the final!

Should be able to beat the Kiwis on that showing and make the final then we'll just have to hope that one of the Aussies has a brainfart in the final like Ben Flower cause that's the only way we'll beat them in the final.

I'd stick with Lomax, Gale & Widdop. Lets have some continuity. Lomax and Gale have 2 games to keep their place. Both need to improve.
Gale made two wrong calls in defence which led to tries.

Heighington needs dropping, just a plodder. No need to panic. Losing Walmsley was a blow and we lost our best player early on. Defensively we were absolutely outstanding.

For the next game i'd go:

Lomax
McGillvary
Watkins
Percival
Hall
Widdop
Gale
Graham
Roby
Hill
Whitehead
Bateman
O'loughlin

Hodgson
Walmsley
Burgess
Taylor

Broadly agree, and although I havent written Gale off just yet, the worse thing is we dont have another scrum half in the squad to put any sort of pressure on Gale, with McGuire and Sneyd sat at home. (At least Brown is getting a free holiday)

Also can we please let that be the last game Bateman plays at centre, he has played 4 games there now and surprise surprise they are the only 4 of the last 10 tests Hall has played without scoring, he doesnt know when to pass and the Slater try shows that he doesnt know when to jam in either. Nit his fault btw, he just is not a centre.

Also Im even more convinced that we should have picked Tomkins over Lomax, he had a 3 on 2 on the left and didnt see it and from what I have seen this year Tomkins is better defensively and positionally

Overall not a bad effort - a bit rusty in attack, but that should get better through the tournament. Left hand side goal line defence wasn't great - structurally those inside Bateman left him stranded and he was subsequently found too static with his feet planted for the 2 tries - a natural centre may have reacted better.
I rate Bateman highly as a player, and he'd been in my team, but he's not a centre and certainly not a top international centre - the fact we haven't got better options there is a crying shame and robs is of genuine attacking threats on both side of the pitch. Not holding him as a scapegoat by the way - I just think that's one of areas we could be much better.
Shame about Sam Burgess, and definitely would have Walmsley in over Heighington.

Changes really need to be kept to a minimum from now on so players can build momentum and cohesion.

Bateman to take over from an injured Burgess in the second row with Percival coming in, Walmsley in for Heighington and Roby and Hodgson to swap places for me.

We do have a better centre options than Bateman, one is called Shenton and he is sat at home after arguably his best ever season

Bateman had a better game then our 'proper' centre in fairness but he did look like a back rower playing centre. Just checked the stats and he made 156 metres today, so he clearly worked his socks off.

Move him inside one spot and get Percival in there. Sam Burgess looking at missing the next couple of games anyway.

Enjoyable contest that, good start to the comp. a couple of iffy calls but that's to be expected.

As to the reason for England's defeat.....











I blame Hardaker.

Although there are still question marks over Lomax, Bateman and Gale for me, I'd stick with the same lot for the next game apart from bringing in Walmsley. If Bennett is finally happy with his combinations, I doubt he'll change a thing.

I didn't think much of Hodgson, missed too many tackles that first half, poor man's Danny Houghton, S.Burgess isn't going to play next game up that's for sure so do you mean George? As for Whitehead, I thought he had a pretty bang average game, still think Liam watts would have added to that 17 today.

He means Tom, you know, the other Burgess who played today?

For me bring a big Gale fan in the Cas team.... He needs to attack the line more for England. He rarely seems to get tackled. Always passes the ball unlike Widdop who dare have a run. Williams also likes to have a run.

I would give Gale another go but he must attack the line himself. Look for gaps and to make breaks instead of passing everytime he touches the ball. If not then put Williams in.

First half rubbish kicking game and unforced errors put us on the back foot, second half we were the better team. Wingers were excellent and the pack was equal to the Aussies.

Thought we missed out on a few decisions from the ref, knock on from Aus near their own line, a few high shots and a lot of slowing the PTB down. Having said that he seemed to miss a few for them too, high shot and obstruction come to mind.

I also noticed the video/commentary synchronisation issue at the start, had to watch without the sound for about 20 mins. The commentary was about 3 seconds ahead of the video!

As an aside, thought it was extremely disappointing to not fill the stadium for an Aussie England opener.

Not sure Hill is international class. He's a poor mans Klemmer(sp) the Aussie prop who had far more of an impact. Thought Roby made a huge difference. Wingers were great, Bateman played well. Second half kicking was far better mainly due to Widdop who has become a top player. Some of the attacking shape in the second half was excellent. Defence sound

All in all plenty of positives.

This isn't a bad call. Bateman offers nothing out wide, whereas in the middle he can niggle the Aussies. Walmsley will add some grunt, and Roby was clearly better than Hodgson when he was on. I thought our attack down the right look threatening at times, and forced the Aussies to scramble. We need to add a left attack, and for me that means we have to bring Percival in. He is one of our very few natural attacking centres, and with a good winger like Hall outside him, there's a lot of potential there.