Anyone else think he won't play much this year and will leave at the end of it?

his versatility may help him in covering a number of positions - maybe doing the job graeme horne did - only better

the only way he will go is if we dont renew his contract

Rich will play this year, injuries and squad rotation will see to that.
And as for leaving at the end of the season - Naa.

I wouldn't be so sure. He's listed as 2nd row in the squad formation guide and i wouldn't put him in front of any of our other 2nd rowers.

Rich deserves to play a decent part this season, he may not be the paciest player but he has vision that most players do not have along with the uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time.

I agree that he deserves a bigger role, but where? Loose man I'd take Fitz and Washy first, we have 2 better centres in Hall and Yeaman, stand off is obviously Hornes place, although I'd rather see washy there if Fitz is 13. Full back isn't an option either, where does he fit?

and the winner of the most obvious statement 2010 is ...........

It is hard finding him a starting in the team but i would give him a bench spot without a doubt. His versatility means he can slot into various positions without disrupting the team.

as i've said before i see whtings future in the back row, i hoped last season he could have bulked up enough to challange washy for the 13 jersey and this year been moved into the 2 nd row, he reminds me of gareth ellis.

this season he'd be my 2nd choice 13 and my 3rd choice 6 and if he progressed he'd get a real shot at the 11 or 12 jersy next season(2011).

i cant see this happening though and expect to see him at full back if tansey or long are out.

He was touted as a 2nd/back row forward last season but he still played all of his games in the backs.

He has real utility value and he [iwill [/iget plenty of game time this season.

'

where?

fb tansey, briscoe j, tuffour
c yeaman, hall, turner, briscoe t, lyne
5/8 horne, washbrook, turner.
2nd row fitzgibbon, manu, radford, tickle, burnett, kent
13 fitzgibbon, washbrook, radford,

who do you think agar puts him in front of for those positions?

If he doesnt get injured he will play 20 games this season IMO, due to injuries he will be in the 17 most weeks IMO.

Big year for Rich though he has to stay injury free and try and make a position his own (backrow), with Radford, Tickle and Fitzgiboon maybe leaving I could see him there.

I think he has the right attributes to make a good backrower, strong going forward (despite his frame), good hands and great defence.

dont get me wrong dave he'd be there or there abouts for me but i just cant see where agar will play him.

tansey
calderwood
turner
yeaman
briscoe
horne
long
dowes
berrigan
o'meley
radford
tickle
fitzgibbon

lauaki
cusack
manu
houghton/washbrook

is how i see us if everyones fit, hall or briscoe to cover centre, washy 6 and burnett back row.

as i say if longs out tansey to 7 and whiting to 1. i think tuffour, briscoe j and lyne could all get game time but on the wing.

for whiting to get 20 games were going have to have similar injuries as the past few seasons.

Hopfully Agar will see what most of us see, that radford isnt good enough for the first team and should be used as a back up and help with coaching at the club.

My team would

Tansey
Calerwood
Yeaman
Hall
Briscoe
Horne
Long
Cusack
berrigan
o'meley
tickle
fitzgibbon
Washbrook

Houghton
Moa
Lauaki
Manu

Depending on how Berrigan is going, Whiting to replace Houghton on the bench because of the ammount of positions he can play.

or
A couple of injuries (which we will get) Rich will be in, even with a full squad of players, Agar could rest players.

No sherlock

He means that Whiting won't [ichoose[/i to leave.

Bit slow, aren't you?

Surely he has to be on the bench. We need cover right accross the back line and it's hardly in abundance is it. Presumably Hall will start in the centres so the 3/4 line picks itself, so will Agar go for Turner on the bench or Rich? No brainer for me.

If Tickle and Fitz go, which seems reasonably likely then Whiting can really push for a back row slot in 2011.

i think if everybody stays fit Whiting will struggle to make the 17, i think Turner will cover the threequarter positions and with the depth we have in the back row i can`t see him forcing his way in, it will all depend on injuries.

Indeed he wont, because nobody bar Crusdaers/Salford would sign him.

Its been debated before. He isnt first choice for any position and is barely 2nd choice for most positions. He will figure though as back up as we will get injuries. Ive said before though, seemed a strange decision by Rich to sign a new deal with this in mind.

I like the bloke and really rate him as a player but he doesnt fit.

Doubt we'll see much of either whiting or washbrook this year if we are relatively injury free

fingers crossed we stay relatively injury free

surly that should be there as "In your opionion" Standee, and I'm sure 'in my opionion' we all know how much your opinion is valued on the forum.

As someone who knows knack all about rugby, I see Rich as a loose-forward, and I hope the other Rich. 'he in charge' takes advice from our new 'assistant coach' and we don't get the odd bench changes we suffered over the last couple of seasons. .....grannyfan Cindy

yawn

when will you realise I don't care if people like or dislike my opinion, you've been around long enough?

You are right about one thing, you know knack all about rugby mind.