Alternative England RL World Cup XIII
- Charlie Hynes
- Oct 15, 2017
- 9 min read
After Super League XXII reached its end on Saturday with another vintage Leeds Rhinos Grand Final victory, all eyes have now turned to the impending World Cup in Australia. England Coach Wayne Bennett named his 24 man squad at noon on Monday, with call ups for the uncapped Alex Walmsley and Ben Currie. Bennett's squad has raised many eyebrows, the inclusion of four Warrington players after the club's worst season in recent years and just two representatives from Champions Leeds causing wide debate amongst fans. Perhaps most controversial is the decision to select just one member of Hull's back to back Challenge Cup winning squad, with prop Scott Taylor making the cut, but key players including the mercurial Marc Sneyd, 2016 Man of Steel Danny Houghton and full back Jamie Shaul missing out. Given the number of high profile omissions, Ballersblog has put together an 'Alternative England XIII'. First, here is the Official England RL World Cup Squad:
John Bateman (Wigan), Kevin Brown (Warrington), Sam Burgess (South Sydney), Thomas Burgess (South Sydney), Ben Currie (Warrington), Luke Gale (Castleford), James Graham (St George Illawarra), Ryan Hall (Leeds), Chris Heighington (Cronulla), Chris Hill (Warrington), Josh Hodgson (Canberra), Jonny Lomax (St Helens), Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield), Mike McMeeken (Castleford), Sean O'Loughlin (Wigan, capt), Mark Percival (St Helens), Stefan Ratchford (Warrington), James Roby (St Helens), Scott Taylor (Hull), Alex Walmsley (St Helens), Kallum Watkins (Leeds), Elliott Whitehead (Canberra), Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra), George Williams (Wigan)
Full Back - Jamie Shaul (Hull)
What does Jamie Shaul have to do to break into the England Squad? The Hull full back has won back to back Challenge Cups with his hometown club and with 17 tries in 2017 is by far one of the best in his position in Super League. Given the absence of Zak Hardaker following a failed drugs test and the omission of injury hit Sam Tomkins many thought that Shaul would be a guaranteed pick for the World Cup. However, Bennett has instead opted for Saints full back Jonny Lomax despite being moved to the halves by the arrival of Ben Barba, and struggling Warrington's utility back Stefan Ratchford, leaving many fans wondering what more Shaul has to do to force his way into the squad.
Winger - Joe Burgess (Wigan)
The baby faced assassin Joe Burgess is one of the most lethal finishers in Super League, so his exclusion from the squad has understandably raised a few eyebrows. The 22 year old seems to have been around for years, having already tries his luck in the NRL with both Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs. His short lived and largely unsuccessful stint down under may have played a part in Bennett's decision to leave him out, but since returning to the Warriors this season he has returned to his try scoring best, finishing with 18 Super league tries despite having a spell on the sidelines due to injury. The highlight of Burgess' season was undoubtedly his impressive hat trick in the World Club Challenge against Cronulla Sharks, proving that he can in fact hold his own against Australian opposition.
Centre - Michael Shenton (Castleford)
Michael Shenton has been one of Super League's most consistent performers for the past decade, and has bounced back from a season ending knee injury in 2016 to have a remarkable 2017 season. Shenton captained Cas to their first major silverware in 31 years and was selected in the Super League Dream Team in arguably the best season of his career to date. The 31 year old has big match experience having appeared in two grand finals (2011 with St Helens and 2017 with Castleford). A strong defender, Shenton's elbow injury in the 2011 Grand Final saw Saints' defence crumble without him, proving just how skilled he is in defence as well as going forward. An experienced England international with nine caps and three tries, Shenton could have been a valuable asset at the World Cup.
Centre - Oliver Gildart (Wigan)
Super League's newly crowned Young Player of the Year will be representing Italy at the World Cup, but he could just as easily have been turning out for Bennett's England following a fantastic season with Wigan. Despite missing three months of the season after breaking three vertebrae against Leeds, Gildart was still named as the best young player in the competition, scoring 11 tries and being a rare bright spark in a disappointing campaign for the 2016 champions. Although Gildart will not be wearing white in Australia, he could still be one of the stars of the World Cup. Watch this space.
Winger - Greg Eden (Castleford)
What a season Greg Eden has had. Super League XIII's leading try scorer with 38 '4 pointers', Eden has impressed on his return to his hometown club after an underwhelming spell with Wayne Bennett's Brisbane Broncos. A key member of a Tigers side whose fast paced attacking rugby has seen them cruise to the League Leaders' shield, Eden finished off several of Cas' eye catching plays. Perhaps working against Eden's case for inclusion was his failure to impress Bennett whilst in the NRL, but following a fantastic season in Super League, the former Huddersfield, Hull KR and Salford winger can consider himself unlucky to have missed out.
Stand Off - Danny McGuire (Leeds)
The first Leeds player to make the side is departing captain Danny McGuire. Despite not having appeared on the international stage since 2009, there is no doubt that McGuire could have been a valuable member of the squad had he been selected. McGuire's man of the match performance against Castleford in the Grand Final not only won him the Harry Sunderland trophy for a second time in three years, it also reminded everyone of his ability to perform when it matters in big games. The ultimate big game player, 'Magsy' scored two tries and kicked two drop goals on his final appearance for his beloved Leeds before heading for pastures new at Hull KR. With eight Super League rings to his name, McGuire would add winning experience to a relatively young England side, and despite being 34, his talent is still there. McGuire ranked second behind only George Williams in the try assists leader board in 2017 and no one has scored more Super League tries than the Leeds Captain.
Scrum Half - Marc Sneyd (Hull)
SNEEEEEEEYYYYYYYDYDDDDDDD! Super League's most unorthodox kicker had the highest goal kicking accuracy percentage at 89%, winning him the 'Top Gun' award at last week's Man of Steel awards. Impressive goal kicking is not the only skill that Sneyd brings to a side, his control of the game and ability to cut open a defence is arguably unrivalled in Super League. Sneyd's half back partnership with Albert Kelly helped Hull secure back to back Challenge Cup victories in August, and his link up play with powerful wingers Mahe Fonua and Fetuli Talanoa has terrified Super League defences this season. The decision to include Kevin Brown after a hugely underwhelming debut season at Warrington has surprised many fans, especially at the expense of a player of Sneyd's quality. Will Sneyd be missed down under?
Prop - Liam Watts (Hull)
Yet another inclusion from Hull comes in the form of bruising prop Liam Watts. An experienced forward, Watts crossed the city from rivals Hull KR ahead of the 2013 season and hasn't looked back since. Watts had a storming 2017 season, making 2343 metres at an average gain of 7.23 metres and has amassed 697 tackles. Watts has gained a rather unwanted reputation for getting into trouble with disciplinary panels, having missed 6 games for three separate incidents and accounting for 50% of the red cards shown in the whole of Super League in 2017, perhaps it was down to this that Bennett overlooked him in favour of Hull team mate Scott Taylor and Warrington captain Chris Hill. Still, a valuable addition to any squad.
Hooker - Danny Houghton (Hull)
Another player who has proven he can do it when it matters is Hull vice captain Danny Houghton. Everyone remembers THAT tackle at Wembley in 2016, and Houghton's ability to perform in big games could have been a huge asset to Wayne Bennett's squad. The 2016 Man of Steel made more tackles than anyone (1123) in 2017, which epitomises the kind of player Houghton is. Not afraid to get his hands dirty, few players in Super League work harder than Houghton, and his ability to control a game from dummy half is second to none. Hooker is arguably the most competitive position in the England squad, with 2015 Man of Steel Daryl Clark also missing out on selection. However, the inclusions of evergreen St Helens hooker James Roby and Canberra Raiders' Josh Hodgson leave Bennett with plenty of strength at hooker.
Prop - Adam Cuthbertson (Leeds)
A rather left-field option next, Australian Adam Cuthbertson would qualify for England through his Warrington-born Father. Undoubtedly one of the best off-loaders in the competition, 'Cuthbo' is a hugely effective player. Leeds' historic treble winning team in 2015 built their play around Cuthbertson's ability to draw in defenders then offload, and his return to form in 2017 after a poor 2016 campaign has been one of the main reasons for the Rhinos' turnaround in fortunes. Cuthbertson also brings NRL experience having played for Manly Sea Eagles, Cronulla Sharks, St George Illawarra Dragons (under Wayne Bennett) and Newcastle Knights. Leading the way for most offloads in Super League with 121 (48 more than his closest competitor), Cuthbertson also made 3446 metres at an average gain of 6.89 metres. Chipping in with 13 tries from the pack is no mean feat, and could have been a handy option had he made the squad.
Second Row - Liam Farrell (Wigan)
The name 'Farrell' has a long history with Wigan, the name striking fear into the opposition for years. A distant relation of former England and Great Britain legend Andy Farrell, Liam Farrell is one of Super League's most consistent and underrated performers. Farrell boasts big game experience having played a part in every single final Wigan have reached since 2010. Like other members of this hypothetical side, Farrell's selection chances may have been scuppered by Wigan's below-par season. Nevertheless, Alex Walmsley was the only English forward to better Farrell's 3109 metres, and with 397 carries, Farrell saw more of the ball than anyone in the Warriors' side. Unlucky to miss out to the controversial selection of Ben Currie after appearing just four times in 2017, Farrell will be a big miss for England.
Second Row - Stevie Ward (Leeds)
Leeds Rhinos' Captain in-waiting takes the number 12 shirt in our team, having missed the World Cup due to shoulder surgery. Ward has struggled with injuries throughout his career, the 23 year old having missed the 2014 Challenge Cup Final and the 2015 Grand Final. Ward was determined not to miss out in 2017 however, battling back from a dislocated shoulder in the Super League semi final win over Hull to play the full 80 minutes against Castleford in the Grand Final just eight days later. A true inspiration both on and off the pitch, the Headingley fans' favourite has been regularly compared to Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield since making his debut as an 18 year old in 2012. Ballersblog wishes Ward well with his recovery from surgery and hopes that he can put his bad luck behind him in the coming years.
Loose Forward - Joe Westerman (Toronto)
Once one of Super League's most promising rookies, Joe Westerman will turn 28 over the off season, with doubts remaining over whether or not he has fulfilled the promise he showed during his days as a fresh faced Castleford youngster. After leaving Cas in 2010 following four impressive seasons which including 522 points, Westerman moved to Hull in search of trophies. In five years at Hull Westerman played in a Challenge Cup final in 2013 and made his first and to-date only England appearance against Samoa, but ultimately left the Airlie Birds without silverware. A move to Warrington followed, but as Warrington's decline began, Hull's rise to success did also. 2016 saw the Wolves win the League Leaders' Shield, but Westerman was jeered by Hull fans in the Challenge Cup Final as his former team stunned Warrington to win at Wembley for the first time ever, and was part of the Wire side that also lost to Grand Final to Wigan. Following a disappointing 2017 season in which he saw Hull go on to win back to back Challenge Cups since his departure, Westerman became the latest high profile player to sign for Toronto Wolfpack. Will a season in the Championship affect Westerman's International future? Or will he finally addd to his solitary England cap in the coming years?
So there it is, the 'Alternative England RL XIII'. Undoubtedly a strong side, only time will tell what kind off difference they could have made in England's World Cup campaign. What are your thoughts? Let us know
Honourable mentions must also go to: Daryl Clark (Warrington), Sam Tomkins, Liam Marshall (both Wigan), Regan Grace (St Helens), Paul McShane (Castleford), Dan Sarginson (Gold Coast), Leroy Cudjoe (Huddersfield), Matty Ashurst, Mason Caton-Brown, Ben Jones-Bishop (all Wakefield).
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