There were a couple of occasions last night where I thought the pass to Hall would have been the better option but Hardaker is relatively new to the centre position and his decision making will improve with time.

If we're still having this debate this time next year then I'll be concerned but until then I'll give the kid a break.

I'm sure its being worked on. If anything, for a young (British) centre, Watkins stands out because there has never been any question about his desire or ability to get the ball to the wing. It will take Hardaker a while to get there, because his natural inclination seems to be to run with a view to gaining yards/making a break rather than set up his wing.

Perhaps we are too critical. Having a good young british is a rarity these days. And we have two!

Never mind the young bit, having a good British centre is a rarity these days, and we have two.

How on earth people can complain about Hardaker is beyond me, the guy looks a natural in the left centre position. The partnership with Hall IMO will develop, but as a partnership they are doing pretty good together already.

IMO we currently have the best two British centres around.

It makes one wonder if the WBW will achieve cult status like TMFMISL or will they both end up FIOS

I notice no-one made this observation last week when Hall, with Zak inside him, ran in three tries against Hazard County.

As for Watkins (selected for the international squad), it was great to see him own Ryan Atkins (only selected for another go at the Toby roast counter) on Friday evening.

A bit like whoever is playing inside Joss Charnley? maybe there is a correlation between tries scored and defensive lapses?

Oh, I'm glad you worked out what Ryan Hall OBC meant.

He's adjusting to the new position and doing an superb job IMO. Yes we want him to develop the ability to use quick hands to get the ball to the wing, but FFS give him a break. He has the talent and the handling ability to develop these skills, which could lead to him becoming a very good centre for years to come.

Absolutely....

I've stated elsewhere (as long as they stay injury free) this largely young element to the 2012 team can only get better as the season progresses. In conjunction with the revitalised Burrow, back to his best McGuire (and Webb) and real competition in the forwards I can only be optimistic at the moment.

Isn't the problem that Watkins [itoo[/i is more comfortable on the right ? Maybe they tossed a coin during the close season.

That's easy....have him play his international position and swap wings with BJB.

Hall outside Watkins - who [idoes[/i have the ability already to slip a nice pass (being the antithesis of Hardaker, he sometimes pushes a pass when he should perhaps better hold on) - would present a formidable combination.

The extra space as a [iby product[/i they would then create on the left would of course also then hugely benefit Hardaker/BJB (Chisholm) .

I stated at the start of the season that I'd like to see Hall on the right wing outside Watkins, however we are not doing too bad as things stand. Maybe it's something Mcdermott as in the pipeline for a shock tactic.

Would be pretty lethal certainly, but maybe moving them about could interrupt our defensive structures. I trust Mac enough now to have confidence in the way we set up will most likely be the most suitable for the players.

Hardaker's probably played abouth 10 games at centre in his career. He's only 20 and he's learning to play one of the hardest positions in the game. Give him time.

No. He may not have time. I'm stunned he's not stand off already.

When he starts blowing obvious overlaps by holding onto the ball and going on his own, then give him some stick for it.

Personally I'd rather the only gave the ball to his winger when it represents a much better option than keeping hold of it and taking on the line himself. No point passing to your winger if he's covered and likely to get shoved into touch.

Maybe worth giving chisholm a shot outside Zak swap hall over to outside Watkins and drop bjb to full back which could be our back line next year when Webbs contracts up! I guess the only worry would be our left hand side defense that would targeted but would be nice to see if we get a nice draw in our first challenge cup game, I believe Zak will only continue to grow into the role and when he finally is able to pack on some extra pounds in muscle like Watkins we could have 2 of the deadliest centres in the league.

Not sure that all centres need to be built like Meninga, one of my all time favourites was Eric Ashton (despite who he played for) & Hardaker reminds me of him physically.
But I acknowledge that it is a different game now.
Remeber too how slight Watkins was when he first broke into the first team squad.
Hardaker is probably at a similar stage in his physical development so has time to bulk up within what his frame will accept.

May i ask what OBC, WBW, AND FIOS mean? Im confused and genuinly do not know.
Thanks.

Hardaker is built like Joe Lydon was at 20. No problem there.

WBW is World's Best Winger, which shouldn't be confused with SBW, which could be either Samoa's Best Winger or Sonny Bill Williams.

FIOS means 'Forever in our shadow' and is a reference to the huge and ominous shadow cast by fans of a formerly successful rugby league club as a result of an over-indulgence in pie consumption. This is backed up by the fact that a large number of their fans call themselves 'Big Aunties' and others call themselves Ultras. Ultras is an old latin word meaning extremely fat Lancastrians.

Perhaps Keith can enlighten the rest of us as to what his newly coined OBC means. I'm guessing it's got overrated and British in there somewhere but wouldn't presume to say for sure without confirmation from the neologist himself.
HTH and TTFN

I thought it was Owned by Charnley

Ha! makes sense.

Charnley looks a good player too. How nice is it to be able to discuss English SL backs of genuine quality or potential?