I'm guessing it's the quote from Smith himself, referring to the week after this as "the final week". Which would imply the tournament finishes for us then.

Guess he means final week of the group matches?

That's how I read it - obviously not as much of a pessimist as tvoc and Gotcha.

Leon Pryce still not been found then?

I really don't understand Smith. He's saying he always intended to play Tomkins this week. Why not decide your best 6 and 7 and settle with them.

Another baffling quote/selection from the national coach.

The New Zealand round robin fixture would not represent the 'final week' if he expected England to be in the final.



The swapping and changing of the scrumhalf in this fixture is another oddball comment. Hasn't he already done that in the Wales and France fixtures?

Why?



Maybe he sees this tourney as a building exercise for the world cup? Maybe he sees Tompkins as being more suited to test rugby than Myler at this point, but wanted to give Myler a game against France to give him more experience...

If he does I wonder why Lee Smith has been selected?



If this tournament is a training session ahead of the world cup I am glad I haven't wasted any money on tickets.



They should be going all out to win this tournament if they want to restore any credibility in international rugby in this country.

Just needs Peacock in the middle 4 and Sinfield fourth in, rather than the five on the right and middle 3 we defended as before. It's a pattern lots of teams use, so shouldn't be an issue.

It is a bit odd. Particularly as he put Myler in a wide position rather than working the middle last week, too.

I know I may get shot down for posting this, but I hope that in the Autumn internationals England RU aren't using it as a training exercise for the world cup, just as I hope Tony Smith doesn't see this as a training exercise. I want to see my team win all of the time. Whether that is Leeds, England or Great Britain. I know from my own limited experience that I want to play in every match and that includes friendly's I don't want to be rested for a match in a weeks time never mind four years. Smith's team selection is bizarre to say the least but hopefully big game players will step up. Australia seem to be as weak as at anytime I've seen them (not saying they are useless) so this seems as good a time as any to put out a strong team and go for the win. A final for England would hopefully improve support for international rugby league. Unfortunately I can still see us losing with such a poor backline.