: Mon Jul 06, 2009 12:09 pm  

PAUL M wrote:

I mentioned earlier in the season that Whiting should play fullback and got only laughing smilies. He has a very good rugby brain , that's his biggest asset and at fullback he can use it to position himself. Keep him there until the end of the season.

Only problem for next season is I am not sure where he would fit into the 17. Definately an excellent squad player though.

I agree, he's a natural sportsman, you can tell by the way he catches, kicks and has the sense to be in the right place at the right time, best of our utility players in my opinion and should be kept at the club.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 2:09 pm  

Carlotti wrote:

Didn't do anything wrong,safe as houses,but will never make it as a full back,because my Grannies faster and she's dead.

You don't have to be fast as a f/b you have to be able to read the play catch the high boom and bring it back (clear your line ) and link up ..he can make a break but hasn't the speed to go the full length of the pitch ..one of our BEST rugby brains in the team Read the game brilliant ..

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:09 pm  

Whiting should stay at fullback for now see how he goes Horney back to 6 and Thorman back to the dole queue. G.Horne dropped and Hall back at centre.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:52 pm  

Ellam wrote:

Whiting should stay at fullback for now see how he goes Horney back to 6 and Thorman back to the dole queue. G.Horne dropped and Hall back at centre.

If Whiting carries on at fullback I think it would be worth giving Horne a chance at LF. Certainly better than persisting with Radford there.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 5:10 pm  

carl_spackler wrote:

If Whiting carries on at fullback I think it would be worth giving Horne a chance at LF. Certainly better than persisting with Radford there.

Depends if we have made a genuine move for Rooney, Horne could do very well at 13, he has the defence for it and it would allow him to "float" in and out of attacking situations as required. Whiting reads the game well so fb would be a god move, he can also take a high ball, the only issue is his pace if he is ever genuinely "last man", but with a decent structure to the side then it could be avoided.

2010 could see:

1 - Tansey
2 - Calderwood
3 - Yeaman
4 - Berrigan
5 - Raynor
6 - Rooney
7 - Long
8 - Fitzgibbon
9 - Houghton
10 - O'Meley
11 - Lauaki
12 - Horne (G)
13 - Horne (R)

Whiting
Washbrook
Manu
Briscoe
Burnett
Hall
Moa
Cusack

Which leaves us looking for winger(s) for 2011 onwards and cover at hooker stepping up from the reserves, also gets rid of Radford, King, Tickle, Thacks. (ie:the pi55 heads)

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 5:18 pm  

Standee wrote:

Depends if we have made a genuine move for Rooney, Horne could do very well at 13, he has the defence for it and it would allow him to "float" in and out of attacking situations as required. Whiting reads the game well so fb would be a god move, he can also take a high ball, the only issue is his pace if he is ever genuinely "last man", but with a decent structure to the side then it could be avoided.

2010 could see:

1 - Tansey
2 - Calderwood
3 - Yeaman
4 - Berrigan
5 - Raynor
6 - Rooney
7 - Long
8 - Fitzgibbon
9 - Houghton
10 - O'Meley
11 - Lauaki
12 - Horne (G)
13 - Horne (R)

Whiting
Washbrook
Manu
Briscoe
Burnett
Hall
Moa
Cusack

G Horne as first choice second row? Have you been eating mushrooms you found in your garden?

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 5:20 pm  

Rock God X wrote:

G Horne as first choice second row? Have you been eating mushrooms you found in your garden?

Nope, I think he would go well in that position, and at little expense.

[Kosh]

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 5:44 pm  

Standee wrote:

Depends if we have made a genuine move for Rooney, Horne could do very well at 13, he has the defence for it and it would allow him to "float" in and out of attacking situations as required.

Up until his injury I'd have agreed with you. Since his return, however, he's lost a lot of weight and his defence has suffered. Maybe that's down to him managing his diabetes and with some more work on his diet he could regain some weight and his defence would improve again.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 5:49 pm  

Kosh wrote:

Up until his injury I'd have agreed with you. Since his return, however, he's lost a lot of weight and his defence has suffered. Maybe that's down to him managing his diabetes and with some more work on his diet he could regain some weight and his defence would improve again.

Richard needs some confidence, that isn't coming from playing behind a beaten pack outside a useless half-back partner and knowing you are not in the right position for your talents, with a coach with no game plan, who doesn't understand interchanges, set plays or team tactics.

I can kind of forgive Richard his deficiencies this season.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 5:55 pm  

Standee wrote:

Nope, I think he would go well in that position, and at little expense.

Then you're totally bonkers. He's nowhere near a first choice spot of any kind. He's well behind just about every one of the players you listed below your first choice 13.

For someone who can't wait to say just how mediocre he thinks Whiting is, regardless of the fact that he's one of the best RL brains we have, it's even more baffling that you'd start G Horne.