Problem you have with playing Hardaker at full-back for England rather than Tomkins is that it puts more pressure on the half-backs and loose-forward to be creative in attack because you don't have that third option of Tomkins coming into the line.

England simply don't have half-backs who can do that, unfortunately. Smith and Widdop are both game managers, while Tomkins hasn't played in the halves for four or five years. You can't just shove him back in there against New Zealand, he'll get hammered.

No he's not, there's 6 others better than him according to some on here.

Watched it back and it's still as good. They made a good point when reviewing afterwards. Normally in those two on ones the attackers, particularly the ball carrier who makes the break, dictate how the play goes and the FB is almost just hopeful that they make a mess of it and give him a chance. In this instance and others with Hardaker (Wigan at home late on) he seems to be dictating exactly what goes on even though there's two of them and only one of him. When I saw them make the break I still felt we had a chance to stop it being a try simply because of who we have at FB.

I watched it back, and another thing that stood out, and even my 13 year old commented on it, was the action of McGuire after Hardakers tackle.

He made a 5h1thouse action, that had Tomkins, McClorum, Westwood, etc had done, fellow Leeds fans would be spitting blood at. It was really poor form from a guy who was captaining us the previous few weeks. Something in his game over last few years that many opposition fans have called, and we all refuse to accept.

Yeah I noticed that too and wasn't impressed by it at all.

Also noticed, the break came down the right hand side when we had both Sinfield and Burrow over there, adding more weight to the argument of should Burrow be in the 17 if we have to double stack halves on one side of the pitch defensively.

Haven't taped the game and surprisingly the tackle isn't on the highlights on the Rhinos site. What went on?

He gives Grix, whose nose was heavily bandaged, a facial in the tackle. It was unnecessary and a bit ehouse.

He actually pulled at the nose plugs and bandage stopping the bleeding.

It happens, not the only one, but a ehouse tactic that we would all call if someone else. There was no need for it.

Bit cheap and unnecessary. Something he's always had in his game, unfortunately.

No it wasn't. The timing of the pass and Grixs lack of pace made it look far batter than it was.

The angle of Ferres' run put the odds in Hardaker's favour also, had he ran straight it would've been a try. Can't fault the tackle once he'd caught him though - superb.

Get away, show me a better tackle this season and I'll show you a list of specsavers greatest offers!

zak is without a doubt the best full back in sl
can anyone be selected infront of him for england in this seasons tests v the kiwis?

has anyone got the link to the pre season debate regarding zak and which full backs were better in sl as it certainly had a few of interesting selections ahead of zak that can't even get a game at their clubs at present

Quote ="Jonesy's a Legend"zak is without a doubt the best full back in sl can anyone be selected infront of him for england in this seasons tests v the kiwis? has anyone got the link to the pre season debate regarding zak and which full backs were better in sl as it certainly had a few of interesting selections ahead of zak that can't even get a game at their clubs at present'" It was on this 'Skills' thread, quite a few pages but I think it had Greg Eden, Jamie Shaul, Matty Bowen, Paul Wellens, Rhys Hanbury and Luke Dorn as better FB's than Hardaker. viewtopic.php?f=17&t=576847&start=110

Quote ="Jonesy's a Legend"zak is without a doubt the best full back in sl can anyone be selected infront of him for england in this seasons tests v the kiwis? has anyone got the link to the pre season debate regarding zak and which full backs were better in sl as it certainly had a few of interesting selections ahead of zak that can't even get a game at their clubs at present'" It was on this 'Skills' thread, quite a few pages but I think it had Greg Eden, Jamie Shaul, Matty Bowen, Paul Wellens, Rhys Hanbury and Luke Dorn as better FB's than Hardaker. viewtopic.php?f=17&t=576847&start=110

Quote ="ThePrinter"It was on this 'Skills' thread, quite a few pages but I think it had Greg Eden, Jamie Shaul, Matty Bowen, Paul Wellens, Rhys Hanbury and Luke Dorn as better FB's than Hardaker. i.rlfans.com/forums/viewtopic.ph ... &start=110'" i would never slate wellens as he is an absolute legend who ever chose these other full backs as being better than zak?

Quote ="ThePrinter"It was on this 'Skills' thread, quite a few pages but I think it had Greg Eden, Jamie Shaul, Matty Bowen, Paul Wellens, Rhys Hanbury and Luke Dorn as better FB's than Hardaker. i.rlfans.com/forums/viewtopic.ph ... &start=110'" i would never slate wellens as he is an absolute legend who ever chose these other full backs as being better than zak?

Having seen 3 games this week, Hardaker is 4 or 5 higher levels than any of the 5 other full backs on show. Not just things like his last man defence (compare and contrast Hardaker's stopping of a certain try with Grix to how McNally waived Scruton through today, or Hall's inability to tackle anything ever), or his safety under the kicks (compare to Hampshire on Friday), even some of the less obvious things like his position to deep kicks, oppositions rarely find grass getting us further forward on the return but also getting a quicker PTB,

His passing game is improving but isn't there yet, but he is, imo, comfortably the best FB in SL and there is no reason he cant be up there with anyone in the world.

The only thing that can stop Hardaker being the best in the game is Hardaker.

Quote ="ThePrinter"It was on this 'Skills' thread, quite a few pages but I think it had Greg Eden, Jamie Shaul, Matty Bowen, Paul Wellens, Rhys Hanbury and Luke Dorn as better FB's than Hardaker. i.rlfans.com/forums/viewtopic.ph ... &start=110'" I think the only sensible honest response to any of those being better than zak is................ AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA But seriously AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH

Quote ="ThePrinter"It was on this 'Skills' thread, quite a few pages but I think it had Greg Eden, Jamie Shaul, Matty Bowen, Paul Wellens, Rhys Hanbury and Luke Dorn as better FB's than Hardaker. i.rlfans.com/forums/viewtopic.ph ... &start=110'" I think the only sensible honest response to any of those being better than zak is................ AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA But seriously AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH

This is key i hope he's learned his lessons because he can go on to be an outstanding player for us and England imo.

It's his reaction speed that makes him so good. As soon as Wardle passes the ball, that split second Hardaker has turned and is after Grix. Likewise with kicks. BJB apparently was the fastest back we had but Hardaker's reactions means he has already taken 2/3/4 steps towards the direction the ball is landing before most FB's including when BJB played there have even made their first step.

Why is everything in CAPS!!!

I was wondering that and then I hit F5 and everything went back to normal.

Cheers tvoc!

Well done that man!

Zak Hardaker is the best English Full Back. Anyone else making comments to the contrary are simply deluded.