On paper, but a lot of underperforming players in there that can count themselves lucky.

Must be ĺast chance saloon for a couple.

Wigan at full strength bar Ellis (suspension)

Get stuck into Wigan early. Think we will sneak this one. COYH

Not feeling as confident as you. They'll want to take some form into the final.

Just a gut feeling but I can see us losing by 2/3 scores.

I fancy us by 6, if we can shore that left side up.

Really would play Hookem alongside Gales experience.

Lovodua to start at Hooker and spell Brown at loose forward.

Sao, Evans, Satae and Taylor in the pack.

Swift in for Shaul.

Hookem isn't in the squad

Most people shouting out for hookem to play , how many of you have seen him play . Happens all the time on here , a certain. Few mention something then everybody else jumps on it . Really want to Chuck him in , against a top team like Wigan . It could put him back a long time . It’s not as though our half’s are out . The coaching staff will know when he’s ready , that’s if he ever will be .

Not sure IF Hookem was injured , but shouldve played against Toulouse,
played jj instead.

I hate that we have to hope and wonder if we win a Home game v a side that has a CC final the following weekend
Let’s get these 2 points in the bag and cement top 5

Not sure its a case of a few mention it and everyone jumping on it more a case of the lad has talent and its what was said by Hodgson himself at the end of last season about Hookem read it for yourself [url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/brett-hodgson-jacob-hookem-admission-5936004here.[/url

I'm not saying throw him in against Wigan either, you say the our halfs aren't out yet they've missed a significant amount of games already, add in their poor form so far from two experienced halfs (mainly due to suspension) and lack of creativity and McNamara struggling with his back. With all that considered and although Hookem was injured early season I'd have thought he'd have had at least one opportunity by now. Yes there is no guarantee and if given an opportunity it may have more negative than positive but could also be very positive, but until they give any player the chance its all just guesswork and he'll be better for the experience good or bad as that's how we learn
Another up side to trying Hookem is that we could have had Houghton/Lovodua as the 9 combination as was seemingly the plan getting the best out of Danny instead of hammering him for 80 mins every week as I think his defence in the first 20 of a game and then Lovodua's speed would help us massively.

After all its all just opinion and what a forum is supposed to be about and for.

Seen plenty of him for the reserves cheers for your concern though pal. And do we continue with the attitude your taking and let a host of young talent leave because they cannot see a pathway to the first team due to out of form players picked ahead of them, or players playing out of position picked ahead of them. There are two sides to every coin, I seriously doubt the lad couldn't cope with super league rugby. Heck Leeds recently played a 17 year old Sinfield, did he go off crying for his dad? No he coped and will be better for the experience. He's not being chucked in, he's had a taste of super league already, as well as training amongst the first team, and has had championship first team experience.

Cotton wool brigade

Reading that it would be interesting to know what Brett Hodgson’s thoughts and plans are now regarding Hookem?

Is he making the same mistake again or has something happened that means he has gone backwards a little?

To admit that he should have picked him sooner but then get half way through the following season without picking him seems a bit odd?

Unfortunately Hodgson has his favorites and thinks too short term like the Toulouse game, we need to build for the future, the only way to compete with Wigan and Saints is to build for the youth and he would rather play Johnstone at scrumhalf than play a young halfback who he admitted looked the part in his one game and should play more this season.

Well hopefully next season it's Trueman 'and Benny Mac for the halfback position with hookem as back up

well maybe we get a truly decent coach and Jake plays at 6 and we make the GF

Think youve answered your own question there then , obviously hodgson and the coaches don’t think he’s ready yet . I’ll trust our coaches decision over some on here who don’t have their own opinion, but just jump on someone else’s even though it’s not what the think themselves.

How is it obvious that Hodgson and the coaches don't think he's ready yet? When in the off season it was Hodgson himself that spoke about Hookem and said "“He’s been great. I think he showed me today that he should have been picked earlier. I probably didn’t have enough faith in what Jacob could do on game day but he showed today, he handled himself very well".

The comments he made about Hookem I wouldn't say come across as being ambiguous more a genuine honest appraisal of both Hookem and his own admission that he was wrong not to have considered him more.

That is one of the main reasons I'm disappointed that Hodgson hasn't given him an opportunity so far when we have been pretty poor in the halfs so far and he spoke highly of him previously. Thats my own thoughts and opinion and in all honesty how do you know what others are thinking or using to form their opinions?

Again you’ve answered your own question , we’ve had numerous times to play hookem this season due to form , bans and fitness and still hasn’t played . What does that tell you ?

Plenty of coaches have made wrong decisions about players, Gentle nearly binned off Lineham and Shaul for example to sign an average Aussie.

Hodgson plays it safe, he should have played Hookem against Toulose, instead playing a slow, non creative hooker.

I have major doubts that Hodgson is the man to bring through our youth players as they don't get a chance as he would rather play players out of position, not drop favorites or flog Houghtom for 80 minutes

People are getting carried away with hookems appearance against wakey in my opinion . It was a dead rubber last game of the season against the mighty Wakefield , we’d lost something like 9 out 10 games , if I remember correctly. Both teams where on the beach with nothing to play for , and Jacob did himself proud. If he had a shocker , I’m sure he’d have been written off by most on here , like a lot of players have been , even Ben Mac has . But now some want us to build the team around him , in what is the most important position in the team .

Most people are judging Hookem on more than that game.

Could he be any worsre than Reynolds?

Him playing would also potentially allow Lovodia to play hooker.

Hodgsons handling of Hookem has been poor, bringing him back from Whitehavem then playing JJ in front of him, was poor IMO.

We also need to see what he can do, help us sort out recruitment for next year, although it's probably too late now.

How have I answered my own question? More like a coach that admits he was wrong for not playing and having faith in a young player then failing to give him a chance when provided with opportunity. Either that or he is unsure in his own ability as coach by admitting he’s wrong, then going against what he said himself.

As for what it tells, based on things he himself has said and the teams he chooses to field, the odd interchanges and the times he wasted a bench spot it says more about him and his indecisions as a coach rather than anything else and leaves me wondering whether he is a coach to take us forward enough.

I think you’re embellishing what others are or have said about Hookem somewhat. No one is expecting Hodgson to build the team around Hookem they have simply said he should be given the chance. Especially consideringJohnstone had been told he could leave at of last season yet he’s been given a lot of game time which at the start of the season I could kind of understand due to injuries but that is not looking to the future.

I’m guessing none of you went to hull uni last night for the video analysis with Hodgson and co . Also included news about our new training facilities, and camps we are setting up around the country and overseas . Also in depth talk about kids ,that they are the future of the club . If you was there , you’d have been able to ask Brett what you wanted , especially why hookem isn’t playing . Young players can have all the ability in the world , but it takes more than ability alone .

Yeah bonaire would have binned off Yemo and Griffin