Looks an honest lad, but not good enough for mine. We've no link between the forwards and backs, and play stops at him far too often.

When are we going to start using them centre and wing thingies, perhaps Potter could introduce Herbert to them in training!



Would love him to prove me wrong, but I'd go with Briggs next week.

Trouble is, I think too much is being expected of Herbert. There are two half backs on the field, you can't expect all the plays to come through just one of them.

True, his kicking from hand isn't great, but surely that's something the coaching team should be addressing.

His kicking is very poor only 10-15mts from a penalty he should be getting at least 30mts if the coacjing staff can sort this out he will be OK

I don't see the problem with his kicks to touch at penalties. He's no worse than anyone else in the side at it. TBH we've not ever gained heaps of yards from these kicks since Brad Mackay did it way back in 2000.

As for the rest of his game he's not set the world alight but he's a better option than Sykes at halfback. Perhaps when Briggs is fully fit we'll see an improvement.

His kicking might not be great but it's not all bad and his assist for Sykes try was good today.

Young halfback, travelled the other side of the World, to play in a different competition with a side that had replaced half of their side. I think I will give it a couple more months before I write him off as not good enough.

It would also help if we could have all our playmakers fit at the same time.

I'd wait until we have two halfbacks on the pitch before judging. At the minute he's having to provide practically all of our attacking creativity, which can't be easy.
Having said that, he still set up at least two of our 4 tries today, which is good enough for me.

Apart from Mackay, we've had problems getting distance on kicks for touch for as many years as I can remember. Back in the early days of SL IIRC we had Sprogger trying it at one point because Macca was struggling to make the distance?

I suspect Herbert comes a lot cheaper than his predecessors, and its still only early days. And of course we've not had a settled HB combination yet!! He's done some good stuff, including today, and I fear he is falling victim to over-expectations on the part of many fans?

Eight games in , of which he's played... ? Still, pile in one and all, important that the players know we're right behind them just as long as they are an instant undoubted success...

Give the guy a chance, he's hardly played an rugby recently and for me he seems to be getting more involved each game. As for him not making much distance when kicking to touch, at least he makes touch unlike half our kicks last year!

Herbert is improving game on game. Like It's been said before, he's travelled half way around the world, picked up an injury and is part of a team thats changed so much. I think he'll go ok, not a world class player but not a bad one. About right for our squad at the minute.

You all wish we had Orford back then

His pass to sykes was a blinder give the lad a chance as always we think every aussie we sign will be a Thurston or a Lockyer get in the real world.

Game number four today.

Concur.

How long did it take young guys like Withers or Hape to come into their own? When both started, the comments were "looks sort of OK, but nothing startling" IIRC? Remind me again how they turned out?

Powder needs keeping dry for a while yet guys, I suggest?

Get a grip. You're upset because he doesn't get 50 metres per penalty, but Deacon was accused of exactly the same.

He's improving game on game and costs a quarter of what Orford did. A much more effective use of money is to try an untested Aussie (or 3) until you find the right one. If he doesn't improve he's on a one year contract.

Another "struggling" half back to move to Super League from Canberra was Michael Dobson. You do the math.

Poor in the NRL, poor in the Pre season, poor when it matters. A poor half back.

Come on Mick at least give the lad a chance.

You can't stop an idiot when he's made up his mind.

Actually, on reflection I hope we DID get a receipt for Herbert.

Because I have a feeling that, in due course, we may be able to take great delight in pinning it to the wall and showing the world what a good piece of business we did.

And even if not...well Mr "feebleweasel" talks a whole lot of total sense above.

for me like ive said before if briggs and him play he will be alot better. hes struggling on his own and kearney isnt a stand off although hes played well there he isnt a recognised half back unlike briggs. Briggs also kicks further than 10 yards

He'll get plenty Mick, but he's poor. It's there for all to see.

Give the lad a chance. The team is changing every week at the moment so thats not going to help him. Briggs with him in the halfs like ive said before would improve him

Why dont we give every other poor half back in the world whilst we are at it then yeah?

Mike, on this occasion I cannot agree with you.