With England going agonizingly close yesterday against NZ, i was optimistic about future and feeling that we have a good core of players to take us to the next world, and some excellent young talent underneath that in Clark, Bateman, Ward, Currie etc.

But still the half back proves the worry for me. Sinfield will be 37 by the time the next WC comes a long, and as well as he played yesterday, i think it's time to bring some new blood. But who have we got?

Widdop's performance should hopefully show everyone he has the 6 nailed down. But we need someone to play 7 and a couple more underneath that to provide cover. At the moment Smith, Myler & Brough are the obvious choices. At 30, Brough is the obvious choice short term, but will be 34 at the next WC. After watching the epic test yesterday, i wondered how Myler would have done, I think his lack of kicking game hinders him a lot when it comes to selecting him at international level. Matty Smith possibly, a very good half back, but again, how would ha have gone yesterday? It's hard to say without giving him a chance, but i just watched it yesterday and wondered whether he could have done it at that level. I would like to see him given a chance though which is why i think it maybe time to move on from Sinfield. We need to use the next couple of years to see ow certain players wold go at the elite.


But apart from that, realistically we have no one. We just don't seem to develop enough half backs. Hull this week announced another 21 year Aussie half back. This highlights what is wrong with our junior development. Your not telling me that in a hot bed of RL like Hull, they can't find a decent half back! I am not having go at Hulls, i'm just using them as an example as they made the signing this week.

Why are coaches so afraid to give half backs a go. My own club Bradford persisted with Addy this year. While he did "ok" it was clear he wasn't a half back. Coaches seem afraid to give half backs a shot, they would much rather put a loose forward/full back/hooker/second rower there. From what i've seen, this never works. I would love to know the reason. They have no worries about throwing a prop in there. Yes a half back has more pressure, but surely it is better giving an 18 year old half back a shot rather than seeing a Wilkin/Addy/o'loughlin lumbering round.

Even when we unearth a HB, we seem obsessed with putting them at FB to protect them. Lomax and Tomkins you could argue it's their better position. But what about Gaskell, Sneyd. I hope Wigan don't move Hampshire to FB.

I just think the lack of genuine halves coming through is a worry and what other fans thoughts are on this.

Word is tomkins may play there for NZ warriors, which with widdop helps solves the problem.

Liam Sutcliffe looks a cracking prospect at Leeds. Could see Widdop play scrum half with Sutcliffe at stand off?

I think SO is his best position. He has so much more to his game than running in to the line from FB. I have been so impressed with his kicking game this WC.

Gareth O'Brien and Ratchford

Like rathcford as well. Plenty of potential in future for half backs. Some another couple of centres to push in along side Watkins.
More clubs need English halfs but when the likes of hull just keep signing repeatingly poor overseas players, for one season and not developing there own it's very difficult to increase our player pool.

Imo at Hull in recent years we've been guilty of moving our promising HBs to hooker when they do get a chance, Tommy Lee as an example. As it happens we have 2 fantastic prospects coming through atm in Reece Dean & Harry Tyson-Wilson but they are both only 16 and only in there 1st year as professionals.

Harry Tyson-Wilson will be an England halfback in a few seasons without a doubt.

Tomkins should move back in to the halves IMO. I feel his game has been worked out a little from fullback so he's mixed his game up and is playing as a creator getting good ball out to those on his outside. He's got a better kicking game then he's given credit for as well.

Other then that we've obviously got Widdop who was excellent yesterday. I don't think Chase cuts it at this level and Sinfield may decide to move on. After those there aren't a whole heap of options tbh. I do feel Matty Smith could have done a good job for us in this World Cup as he's really developed his game this year. I've never been fully convinced by Richie Myler but I do rate Ratchford very highly.

There are some very good young halfbacks coming through like Liam Sutcliffe, Ryan Hampshire and George Williams. I'd hate to lose the last two but a couple of years in the NRL wouldn't do them any harm at all. They really are special prospects.

I think so to, the lad has grown up over the last 12 months, he can get in the game much more. Any sniff of a gap and he,s a threat especially against some of the less mobile forwards.

By the time the next World Cup comes around there will be another five or six names at least over and above the ones mentioned. Rugby League is a short career and another four years is a long time, giving others an opportunity to make their mark.

In four years there will be at least two current under 16's at clubs who will be high enough regarded to be pushing for spots.

Possibly, but which half backs have broken through since the last WC 5 years a ago?