No real shocks
Heighington and Brown should be nowhwere near this squad selection and whatever you think of Tomkins he is still the best full back back up to Hardaker.
The quicker we get rid of Bennett the better.You can see there is no passion or interest in the position for him.
I just wonder what imput the assistant coaches and hanger ons like Peacock have with naming the squad.
The quicker we get Daryl Powell in the job the better.

Watts > Hill
Sneyd > Brown
Shaul > Ratchford
Ward > Heightington

That's off the top of my head but would all improve the squad in my opinion. Everyone knows we haven't got the player pool the Aussies have but we make our pool smaller by continually picking from the same group. Regardless of how good some players perform they'll never get in and regardless of how poor some are, they always get picked.

There's 5 players combined from the top 3 teams in super league (the three teams to win silverware) and 4 from Warrington who were abysmal. How can that be right?

I Know what mean, picking a 24 man squad out of the player pool we have, how much different could you make it? But this squad is nothing the aussies aint seen before and will do what they always do, Houghton would of been perfect to play against them, I know im biased , but how, Watts Houghton Snyed and Shaul have not made that squad is sole destroying.

My starting pack would of been

Watts
Houghton
Walmsley
Whitehead
McMeeken
S Burgess

Big mobile and aggressive

The backs have always been our weakness, but Shaul at fullback would of added some real pace and offer something different, I'd of even been tempted to take connor for a centre spot after is end of season form, Watkins will be a weakness.I like Percival, but apart from him, we look weak. Gale and Widdop in the 7 and 6 look ok, on the wings, Hall always performs well against the Aussies and Nz. Just think taken some of those players who have not had great seasons instead of the likes of the hull players I've mentioned is really poor, predicatable and will end with same outcome

Ratchford and Brown are baffling selections to me. From a selfish FC perspective this obviously benefits us but with Mini, Sika and Faraimo involved that’s a fair few core players who’ll be late returners to pre season. Doesn’t it go on until December as well? Not ideal but I guess 3 of the 4 are well integrated in the squad so not too disruptive.

What have your lads done to Wayne Bennett.
Watts would be the first forward on the team sheet for me.
And Ratchford/Lomax over Shaul ??

Not even going to question Sneyds exclusion for Kevin Brown .

Does the coach actually watch any SL matches.
Ive backed Tonga at 25/1 anyway .

To be fair, if they put me ion charge of Australia I'd pick a bunch of no hopers so you can't really blame bennett

Agree with you re Tom Burgess who finished the season as the best English prop out here. Completely agree with the Tomkins omission. He has been average since he left England to play in New Zealand. Bennett will play Widdop in the halves. I would have preferred Watts to Taylor.

3 of the 5. Final is Dec 2. When does pre-season start?

I’d missed Miloudi being picked, but him being back late less of an issue really. Normally senior players are back mid November but obviously those involved in the WC need a few weeks off, so maybe an after Christmas thing.

I think its usually november 1st for the players not involved in the internationals. first week or so is fitness tests, rehab etc so maybe no on field training until mid november. however with the world cup starting later this time, maybe the whole thing will be put back a bit