Whilst I'm not suggesting that McIlorum is as good as Roby, the way some of you are going at him it's obvious you've not seen him play this season. He's been outstanding, and twice the player he was last year.

Saying Frano was an 'average' RL player is a bit like saying Jimi Hendrix could knock a tune out.

To be Wigan's first choice stand off in THAT era for so long, you're not going to be just average, are you?

Red Vee tinted glasses, methinks.

Has Tommy L been spending any time at hooker for you?

I'm pretty sure you've stated before McIlorum was better than Roby , and you got slaughtered. Maybe someone with loads of time will dig it out just to show you up.

That's funny, it seemed that there were people foaming at the mouth about him not being good enough for Wigan after the Huddersfield game. How times can change in the space of two weeks

That still doesn't make him fit to lace Roby's boots.

McIlorum is a good player and has the potential to be extremely good. Not as good as Roby yet though as Roby is world class

Cant blame the Ape for bigging up one of his own , but to base the praise on his performance against Leeds is embarrassing , Leeds at the DW couldnt have been less interested if they had tried , it was a woeful performance and we all know it, I would save such comparisons until he has shown up in the really big games that count .

Something Roby has been doing for a while now .

Roby is class and the best english hooker. The only thing that annoys me about him is the fact that he scoots from dummy half so much, too much IMO. That's where I think Smith is better, he just has a bit more class, better passing and kicking.

I do like McIlorum and for me he should be back up to Roby for England. I don't for one minute believe he will ever be as good as Roby, but he'll certainly be good, and play well enough to get into the England team and hopefully start to play well consistently for Wigan.

is it possible to scoot 'too much' when you have the energy levels of Roby? saves the big guys for when they are really needed

I suppose not, and as I said, he is fantastic. It's hard to explain and it literally is my one and only criticism. But to me, it seems that (from watching NRL every week) that Cam Smith just manages to create that gap and put someone through, like a halfback would. He seems slightly more creative.
I hope I'm not coming across like i'm saying Roby is bad, because for me he's in the top 3 hookers in the world. And definitely one of the 3 best english players, he really is great.

You clearly haven't been watching James Roby this season!

So the grand final isn't counted as a big game now? Don't you remember when mickey Mac played kFC off the field and roby? He was the 2nd best hooker that night after tommy

. Maybe that's why you can't win the big one

3 games? Cool



Cam Smith has been doing it for more than 3 seasons.

'"

What a stupid thing to say.

I think you'll find that you attributed a quote to me that wasn't actually posted by me but by dubairl above.

So I don't know what you're talking about actually.

Sorry not very good at this quoting thing. I meant to quote dubairl.

Except Tommy didn't play hooker in that game. Wigan started with Mickey Mac and used Piggy Riddell as interchange. Your point still stands though they were both better than Cunningham and Roby on the night.

No worries.

Wow you like keeping this thread going.

How so?
You were the one who said 'this season'.

My original point is true though. But there's no point arguing it because I still think Roby is a class hooker. Just not quite as good as Smith.

Roby is a quality Hooker but would be 3rd choice for Australia behind Smith and Farah imo. Id love to see him have a shot in the NRL where i suspect he will go whenever his contract ends at saints.

There is no point in comparing hookers who are at the top of their game as they bring different skills to a team.

Roby is a scooting hooker who is fantastic defensively so suits Saints well, whereas the likes of Monaghan are more creative so he suits Warrington well.

Roby is world class hooker as is Cameron Smith etc..

We could argue forever about who is the best hooker in the world. Personally I think its Cameron Smith, however how do you judge who are the best players in the world? Surely you can only be the best in your position.

How do you compare Billy Slater to James Roby, Greg Inglis to Jonathan Thurston or Sam Thaiday to Ryan Hall?

He might have the best stats in the World but thats in SL not the NRL where the intensity is so much higher!