I must be watching a different game. I'd take pre-injury McIlorum over Powell any day of the week and twice on Friday. Fearsome tackler and good distributor.



Powell is just a steady Eddie. Absolutely nothing special about him.



Whether he's the same player after that nasty leg break is another matter.

Not sure why everyone is writing Micky off,he's only just back from injury,give him till the end of the season at least.

I think he is just the type of player we need at the moment.

Agreed.



Micky brought an intensity to our pack that Powell can't. Powell is a good player but McLlorum is our pack leader imo and sets the tone for our defensive intensity.

This. Coincidence that our props play like girls when mm isnt in the team.......?

Shouldn't really take another player to fire you up but I think he does,he sets the tone for everyone else. He might have had a long time out which has probably taken its toll but at least give him a chance before giving up on him.

McIlorum is our best hooker by a mile, his distribution alone is ten times better than Powell's. He's played 2 games since being out for 14 months and hes being written off. You couldn't make it up

Ten times better yet he can't do 80 minutes a game

The coach dictates how long he plays, that's why we have substitutes to give players a rest.

If that is the case then why doesn't the coach dictate the same for Powell?, in the very few games that MM has played a full he 80 he has struggled to perform for the full 80, he can't do it and that is why he doesn't, simples, having MM in the side costs us having another prop on the bench, playing Powell alone means we have that extra prop, he's had ten years here which is longer than most, now it's time to go elsewhere and let Powell take us forward

Powell & MM are two totally different types of player, MM is more aggressive in his approach whereas Powell tends to be a passer and more a support player. Wane uses MM & Powell similar to how Saints used to use Cunningham & Roby. Why have another prop on the bench when our backs do all the go forward, as someone said on another thread, wane just uses the forwards to tackle and if that's the case then MM would be one of the first on his team sheet.

Could it be worthwhile trying McIlorum at 13 when O'Loughlin is either unavailable or needed in the backs?

Not a bad call, he could definitely do the job