Can the English become a Rugby League Powerhouse?

After watching the English team beat France in this morning's Four Nation opener, a couple of things came to mind;

* The French defence has improved markedly since the mid year test in Paris;
* The French have maintained their attacking flair with Bentley and Bosc showing fantastic touches at different times in the match;
* The French still know how to take someones head off: and
* The English are still struggling in 2nd gear at the International level.

The French will no doubt continue to improve and with the growing uptake of french nationals into Super League squads and the hopeful addition of Toulouse as the 2nd French Super League team there is a possiblity that they can emulate the Kiwi's in getting 50 - 60 players worthy of selection instead of the 10 - 15 as it currently stands.

The English, where do I start, baring the Ellis's, Morley's and Burgess' the rest of the team seem devoid of ever understanding it isn't the big plays that win you games at this level.
It isn't the chip or the cut out, but it is the body positioning in the tackle before hand that gives you the right to execute the plays that matters.
My experience in the UK was that people would zone in and out, collect their cheque and that was it. Everyone always seemed happy with who they were as a player, no additional work required, no extras, no new skills, no 'outside the comfort zone'.
Whist it was frustrating, due to some of the gifted players I played against and with, it is also annoying as they will never improve as a nation unless there is a change in mindsets.
We have the British players from the Invincibles and Untouchables tour eras, coaching at all levels throughout the English game. What sort of mindset do you think they are passing on?
The International game needs more than one and two day camps throughout the year to really bring them into line. I see Tony Smith has cut alot of deadwood away, players who were extremely gifted, but would only just do enough to get by in a game. These are not the players who will make a difference at the highest levels.
These players all need to spend a week or two together in the preseason to really get to understand each other and what is important in relation to national pride.
They need to be hoest in their assesments of each other and they need to know the areas where they might be deficient. This 'snapshot' is crucial to establishing a starting point for the betterment of the player that represents your country and can become the model that perpatrates moving forward.
As i mentioned, I got a buzz out of the way the underdone French side defended for the majority of the match, I would love to see the English put one over the Aussies next week.

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Shillington muscles his way into Kangaroos

The addition of Map Sports David Shillington to the 24 man Kangaroos squad for the upcoming Four Nations tournament later this year is a terrific reward for a player that has produced career best form for the Green Machine in just his first season with the club.

He was undoubtedly the cornerstone to the majority of Canberra’s on field successes, at times forming a formidable front row partnership with rugby league journeyman Scott Logan.

The former Sydney Roosters player put in some powerhouse performances for David Furner’s men, in particular in the Raiders upset victories over top eight sides such as the Newcastle Knights, Melbourne Storm and the Gold Coast Titans

Despite not playing in the NRL finals this year, Shillington’s form was enough to see him selected ahead of Dragons and NSW Origin props Michael Weyman and Justin Poore.

Having made his QLD Origin debut this year in the third match of the series at Suncorp Stadium, Shillington showed plenty of promise to those that feel he has what it takes to fill the mighty shoes of Maroons legends Steve Price and Petero Civoncieva when the duo decide to retire from representative football.

Now, he has been given the distinct honour of representing the Kangaroos in a Four Nations tournament that will not only credit rugby league’s international growth, but also enhance the development of the NRL’s most improved forward.

Map Sports Cuthbertson shifts to the Shire

Cuthbertson, a Manly junior from the Avalon Bulldogs club, made his NRL debut in round three of the 2006 competition, ironically in a game against the Sharks, and has since played 50 matches in the top grade for the Sea Eagles.

Sharks coach Ricky Stuart has been observing the play of the 24-year-old Cuthbertson for some time and has no doubt he will add something to his team in 2010.
"Adam is a modern day front rower with good ball skills," Stuart said. "He can play tight to the ruck or on an edge and has good second phase skills.

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