Quote ="BrisbaneRhino"tvoc - I started watching Leeds in 81 - Hague was starting fullback that year. I don't think he was first choice right centre for any length of time from then, which is what I've based my view on. '"
I may have been a bit quick with my initial reply looking back. Unfortunately I don't have an easy way to break down Hague's first few seasons for Leeds although I stand by my comment that he took Syd Hynes place in the side when injury forced Syd to retire in 1976.
Where I do have stats from, Hague's utility value was very much in evidence.
1979/80 - 1 (16), 3 (6), 4 (2), 6 (8 ), 7 (1) Total 33
1980/81 - 1 (15), 3 (4), 4 (5), 6 (6) Total 30
1981/82 - 1 (21), 2 (4), 3 (12), 6 (1), 7 (1) Total 39
1982/83 - 1 (29), 3 (4), 4 (7), 6 (2), Total 42
Quote ="BrisbaneRhino"Tell you what though, he'd be in the 17 of any SL side now.'"
Without question. He looked comfortable in every position he was asked to play. There was a season (1977/78 ) when he scored tries in 9 consecutive appearances for Leeds. At that point he was almost Offiah-esque for pace. I don't know where it came from or where it went afterwards but no-one in the league could touch him for that brief spell. As the totals indicate he was very rarely injured as well.
