Wires71 wrote:
When I have made the point it is the theory that it would encourage more ball playing forwards of yesteryear, than athletic "robotic" forwards. It would probably also encourage the return of the true loose forward instead of another prop. Also if the forwards were to tire then perhaps we see more breaks through centre field.
At the moment it feels like we are getting quite similar to NFL with forwards who are effectively battering rams with 15-20 min stamina.
Not so long ago a prop forward could play the entire 80 mins.
It also puts in to question the role of interchange hooker. At the moment plenty of teams play the third prop at loose and have 3 big men on the bench to rotate 8, 10 & 13. Also a bench hooker who will come on for a spell. Taking 8,9,10,13 off then putting them back on later in the game uses every substitute spot you will have in 2019 - clearly a risk as injuries (especially head knocks) are commonplace.
I still think we will rotate 8, 10 & 13 through the game, so using 6 subs. Jason Clark will play decent minutes I expect, probs 60+. I can see D Clark playing full 80 more regularly next season, possibly using Walker to give Clark the odd game off to keep him fresh. BMM will get game time spelling the back row, leaving another sub spot to cover injuries. Possibly worth placing Patton on the bench to cover halves / hooker? So bench of Philbin, Tasi, BMM, Patton? Or maybe Livett who can cover centre, halves or back row...