Doesn't help himself cleaning people out after the ball has gone though. Agree he looked better 2nd half.

You're probably right.

Thing is, we needed him to play a lot of solid minutes in the second half, which is sort of the opposite of his game, and I thought he did pretty well.

Lauaki needs to improve for me . Not cutting it at the moment.

He did, I agree. Which was most surprising given his poor start. I hope he puts a few good performances together back to back, and I think he needs to TBH as there seem to be plenty willing to get on his back quite quickly in the stands. His size and aggression could be real assets for us if he can just harness them on a consistent basis.

Needs more minutes IMO.

Idiotic about sums it up. Quite what he thinks he's going to gain by trying an almost impossible offload, early in the tackle count when we're leading by 2 with 10 minutes left is beyond me. Unfortunately, he's done it before (and cost us games) and I don't have much doubt that he'll do it again. That aside, he was as ineffectual as usual with the ball, constantly turning into the tackle, making poor ground and taking an eternity to get it played.

Needs to make better choices for me. Too often takes the wrong option in attack, or makes an error and then follows it up with a penalty trying to make good.

Radders worked overtime tonight.Why dont people see it.Dowes great in defence and 2nd half Luaki was awsome used as prop,made plenty of metres and got us on front foot.
We now need the backs to finish off all the hard work the forwards put in.

Like manu, we need to start playing to his strengths, not giving him (them) the ball in poor positions and expecting them to work miracles

I'm not questioing his effort, it's the errors that are the problem

He put in one stupid pass as did Tickle and Radford, while Cusack lost the ball.

Apart from that Lauaki was good tonight got through a mountain of work. In particular helped to save us from defeat when they broke away down their left near the end and Berro/Whiting tackled their winger Hame chased back 60m and got between the ball carrier and support preventing the pass. If he wasn't there it was a pass and a walk in for them.

I mentioned a few weeks ago Dowes has improved game on game for me and last night was his best of the season, in fact probably a couple of seasons.

It's not just about the amount of work, it's also the quality of it.

Dowes was awesome last night, he worked his socks off. Radford also worked hard but he lacked composure at times.

I thought Radford had a bad game missed some tackles and tried stupid off loads in our own half early in the tackle count which lead to knock ons not what you expect from a senior player in a tight game. I think someone must have given Hame a bit of a speaking to at half time and was great in the 2nd half no silly passes or off loads just put his head down and ran hard at the opposition knocking them back wards. Dowes looked a enthusiastic in attack and deffence one of his best games in ages one set in the 2nd half when we was pinning them in there 20 he made 4 out of the 6 tackles and nailed them well done Ewan!

Thought Dowes and Radford were our best props last night. Moa wasnt his usual self and Cusack is just Cusack.

I thought sam did well give us some good go forward before his dead-leg

On the subject of Hame, just watch him specifically during defensive sets and he just looks lazy/unfit. He very rarely puts the same amount of effort/power into tackling that he does when running the ball, he tends to grab at the player rather than putting his shoulder in. Definately something that the coaching staff need to work on with him.

Dowes was outstanding last night, must be the contract extension he's still waiting for eh?

Radford put in plenty of effort but as has already been mentioned the quality of his work was not the best and that offload was beyond dumb for someone with experience.

I do feel Dowes gets a little bit of unjust stick.

There are not too many props around that can stay on for the full 80 mins, which is needed when you are down on your interchanges.

Last night i thought he was immense in the second half, at one point making 4 - 5 tackles on the bounce and energetic ones at that.

I for one hope he gets a new deal he has been a loyal servant to Hull FC.

It's not about the amount of minutes you get out of Dowes, it's how many quality minutes you get.

When dowes gets spelled his quality is good never stops working will allways take it up or tackle but when he plays the full 80 he has to pace himself as do all props Graham being the exeption of course.

Dowes was really good and was Radford too although he tried to force the offload in silly positions at times.

It was also interesting to note Lauaki went far better at prop than in the backrow.

agree...everytime i see the guy he doesnt instill me with any confidence whatsoever..
for some reason he seems to have to throw wild and generally loose passes to his centre....poor judgemnt in defence at times...and always seems to be 3rd or 4th in the tackle. which was high-lighted by paul cullen who pin pointed that hulls defence gets caught napping at times due to the fact that we have 3 maybe 4 men in the tackle....a quick play the ball and were fooked,

not really , he just tends to stand up and be counted when others go missing so tires quicker than others...
As for Ewan he had a top game to be honest but he has played well all season , grafts his buster browns off and never shirks any work, rarely injured and still young..
and you know there are still those who "want rid" as they put it

Remember our conversation a week or two ago about Hame and his future ??