Having just re-watched it on TV, I'll say one thing; I didn't have a problem with Sutton's reffing at all. He got the big calls right, and the penalties were virtually always justified. It's a good job the decider is at the DW. And I agree George Williams is quite capable of stepping up to the plate.

I don't think we were great in attack last week to be honest. The first try was a total fluke, the last one was very lucky as well as Lockers didn't look like he had much of a plan before Blair shot out at him. We need to find ways to release the backs

I'm with you. In fact, I thought Sean could have been penalised for using the shoulder on Blair but as we see so often the ball carrier gets away with it.
Re yesterday, that is just about the worst international match I've ever seen. A perfect opportunity to showcase our sport squandered yet again. At least we have the tension of a deciding leg to look forward to but if we continue to be so timid I fear the worst.
In terms of individuals I agree with other criticisms of the half backs but want to mention how anonymous both Burgess and Hardaker have been for both games. Burgess may be fortunate inasmuch as the other wing options available are only of similar quality. Hardaker, however, has Sam breathing down his neck, a world class alternative who will stroll back into the team as soon as he is fit.

You're blaming Burgess for the fact he hasn't had one chance created for him? I blame all those inside him personally.

As for Hardaker, fullback is a position where you can have a direct influence as you can and should join the line frequently.

Burgess has done far less than Hall in both games and has been the least noticed of all our backs, hence my use of the word anonymous. He's still allowed to come inside and look for work, something Hall has done to far greater effect over the two games IMO.

England's problem was that they had some success in the 1st test by driving up the middle, so in this game plan A - drive up the middle, if that didn't work go to plan B drive up the middle etc. No flair, no creativity and just all round dumb rugby, add in poor kicking game and England never really looked like troubling New Zealand - the backs never had a decent pass all game. Poor play - poor entertainment and a very bad advert for the game in general after the RL bashing from some quarters recently.

England need to revise their game plan for the 3rd test because just driving down the middle will not work.

Nobody came out of yesterday with any honours, but I can't agree about Hall. I thought he'd been on the chocolate oranges at half time, he was leaden & plodding back to the line way too often. Should have been subbed IMO. Not that I think it would have made any difference. Both teams were very effective in shutting down key players and I can't find the stats anywhere, but both sides' completion rate and error count are probably in the poor to dire category. And with McBanana giving the NZ team talk already we'll need to improve by several orders of magnitude before next week (and why the 1pm kick off FFS?!).

Also (while I'm on one), it might be just where I was sat (east stand on the half way line), but the atmosphere in the stadium was poor. The PA was incomprehensible. The twits trying to get a Mexican-wave going should have been shot & the guy doing his "crazy dance" chucking t-shirts about routine was entertaining the first time, but he really should have been shown the door at kick-off (but then I'm probably just an old curmudgeon). I suspect West Ham might well have a problem whipping up enthusiasm next year. First time in there, not that impressed actually.

as an outsider burgess didn't do anything wrong and should stay, bateman to second row, But loughlin has had his day,good club player but not international anymore, Williams might be one day and has all the tools to achieve that but atm looks way out of his depth, just my imo

Trouble with changing the team now is we'll be bringing in players who haven't played for the best part of two months.

The players are good enough, but the tactics were terrible. Playing like they were scared to lose instead of playing to win. If SM is happy playing dull one out rugby, when why have Burgess on the wing? Might was well stick a prop out there...