typical club bias, Tomkins was awful in the first, and did little in the 2nd half but throw a few steps,

i remember at least 3 occasions that where we lost ground and momentum because Tomkins tried a hollywood ball that came nowhere close to coming off

For however bad Mcguire was Tomkins proved 100% today he is at last 18 months from international standard, his rugby brain was nowhere near where it needed to be, his pass selection was woeful

Eastmond looked great against a tiring defence, but play him in the middle, from the start and you lose all the impact he had around the fringes

TBH the level of idiocy club bias brings out is quite embarrassing, Mcguire hasnt been a 'support' player for 3 years, he doesnt have the speed, yet he is the dominant half back-for the dominant side in Super League, he has matured to one of the best players at Leeds,

Today wasnt his best game, but then again, none of the backs covered themselves in glory,

They dont, both Mcguire and Smith have and will play better

McGuire and Smith were awful on the right side defence but where was our right sided backrower? He was never there whoever he was!
As soon as the long pass came out from Lockyer we were outnumbered due to the backrower's absence. I think it's Peacock who went missing 'cos he was battling up the middle as a prop and not where he was selected to play.
We looked far better when Crabtree and Westwood came on.
As for the second half, the Aussies already had the game won and were not at the same intensity as the first 30 mins.
Tomkins and Eastmond looked very good with ball in hand but Eastmond did fall off quite a few tackles. I do think centre is the wrong position for him.
I'd prefer Tomkins and Eastmond for 6 & 7 although Tony Smith could very well drop them both!

McGuire was S H I T

And Leeds have helped by signing an aussie centre to replace Smith


Just accept he was the worst player on the field, & that Shenton didnt screw up like all you leeds fans thought....

Which second row was deffending on the England right? I'm just asking because I never saw one out there. Maybe giving Peacock the 11 shirt and expecting him to play a defensive role he hasn't played at club level for several years was the mistake.

Why do you find it amusing? Are you Australian, or are you a one eyed, one club wan***r who is happy as long as players from your own club aren't "responsible" for a defeat?

Everything wrong with the muppets that post on here is summed up in your brief effort.

And if Tomkins as you said was awful in the first and did little in the second, what exactly does that make McGuire's performance?

Tomkins is already a better player than Mcguire.

Mcguire is so £hit its laughable.

In another post I highlighted where Englands defence was woeful.

Shame but I was proved right.

Why did Maguire refuse to pass to Tomkins in the first 20 minutes?

If Mcguire is so is laughable what does that make the rest of Super League, as he's been one of the most influential players in the best team in SL.

He had a bad day at the office, simple as that.

This and the Tomkins thread highlights EXACTLY what is wrong with international rugby league.

The narrow minded short sighted blinkered with club loyalty "fans".

If my 11 year old can grasp the concept of Country before Club, then it's pathetic that some more "mature" posters on here can't.

I despair I really do.

How did leeds win 3 GRAND FINALS ON THE TROT against you with such a poor player in a pivotal position?

i was watching tomkins in the 1st half and it looked like he had been told to support the ball, he was constantly buzzing round the back looking for a second phase i think.
now if he was told to play like that, fair enough, but if he wasn't, it is a halfbacks job to demand the ball and dictate, even the most hardened sam fans can't deny he never did this and was awol in the 1st half.

deserves his chance next week though on the second half, not amazing but most creativity we've seen in 2 games from any halfback.

It's been like this for years but I actually think its getting worse. Saints and Leeds fans, FC and KR fans all seem to disagree out of principle and everyone wants to have a go at a below par wigan.

I would always put country before anything even if we had a player whom I disliked intensely (and I can't think of any cos they are all braver than me).

Once that shirt goes on club loyalty should mean nothing.

Better players than him?

tompins and eastmond did a better job.

You dont think shenton had a good game?

McGuire could be picked at fullback - his best asset was always been his pace, his running game, his step and support play. He could play a 2nd five eighth game from there as Hohaia is doing for the Kiwis. OTOH Shaun Briscoe was pedestrian at fullback, ponderous like Wellens and Radlinski.

McGuire at 1, Eastmond at 6, Tomkins at 7 would provide a triple attacking threat, like the Kiwis and Kangaroos have.

I think its club bias to have any other opinion than mguire being terrible he was woeful in defence and attack, do you see anyone slagging off ryan hall? no because he was one of the reasons the aussies couldnt score down our left all game. Peacock did little but most people on this board realise it was because he was out of position.

Listen i dont like wigan or leeds but when it comes to internationals i put country above club i want every england player to put out a fantastic performance, tompkins did little in the first half, but upped his game in the second and made up for it, mguire didnt and let the team down a number of times.

I understand you desire to defend your players, but mguire performance was undefendable, at least smith and sinfield after having poor first halfs managed to up there game (in differant positions) and managed to come away with some positives. Mguire didnt, maybe myler would have done a worse job i'm not sure.

Either way i think tony smith should give consideration to puuting eastmond and tompkins in the halfs against the kiwis.

good post

He was woeful in attack and defence. Stick Eastmond in and lets at least have some spark on attack.

it was poor, not as bad as some have stated, but it doesnt take much for to get people rolling in glee that Mcguire had a bad game so thats to be expected,