English coach, Ex English loose forward assistant coach.

The only problem is that if Washbrook/Whiting play at 13, there will be no room for one of Manu, Tickle and Radford IF Crocker and Lauaki arrive

Lauaki will play prop.

My back pack and bench would be:
Dowes
Berrigan
Cusack
Crocker
Tickle
Washy

Lauaki
Radford / Thacks
Manu
Whiting/Houghton/Lee

That's a bit harsh. Sometimes we try 4 drives and a kick. And sometimes we get caught in possession

Looks good doesn't it



On the spot, Whiting Houghton or Lee?

Whiting.

We even kicked on the third tonight , Not for the first time this season.

Current form, Lee!

Has Lee given up playing hooker now to concentrate playing in second row?

Disagree mate..........dont think he can change a game where as Whiting offers a bit of spark...all my humble opinion of course.

Lee came on tonight and looked ok, he came on last week and gave us a really solid defence in the middle. He also set up a pretty good try.

As Whiting has only played reserves in the last 12-18 months really i wouldnt want to say he offers something which according to the reserve games he has played this season he doesnt have.

Houghton has looked alright coming on this season, lack versatility will cost him his spot though

Comes on for Radders at 13 so effectively he is playing as a 3rd prop.

Wouldnt carry a 9 on the bench with Berro starting.

At least he can play longer than 10 minutes

Having Houghton and Lee both on the bench is pointless and is a waste of a sub... In fact i would drop them both for the derby and play Washbrook

Wont happen, Especially over the Easter period.

You'd go with 16 players? The way we are playing i dont think we need to be giving them a head start like that!!

We are almost playing 16 players with Moa on the bench anyway

Yeah ......and mine, having said that, Tommy's defence has been great but offers nowt in attack whereas Whiting does have the attacking edge.

the one thing people forget about whiting though he is coming back from a very serious injury, one that has finished the careers of other players.

After an injury like that and the time out of the game you can't just build match fitness up in 5 mins, it takes a few games to just gain your confidence again and it could take him 5 or 6 reserve games before he's ready maybe more, I personally think Hull are doing the right thing with him bringing him back gently.

Agree 100%

We will continue to get beat in the last 20 minutes with our bench rotation, Dowes, Cusack, Tickle, and Manu are fooked by then. With our props playing 65min and the 2nd rows playing 80, is poor organisation to say the least.
God help him when Lauaki gets here, he'll be playing prop-hooker both 2nd row and L/F, and if Crocker gets here he'll be doing the same and having a run out with the reserves before the game also, just to catch up with game time.

cant be bothered to read all posts on this subject,but my opinion is we have totally wasted our bench for the last 3 games. danny h is a great player but he is not berro,you can see the differance when berro comes off,or back on. tommy has been exellent coming off the bench,his aggression in defence has been tremendous,has also thrown some good passes about. but last night had little game time. moa doesnt seem that tired when hes come off last few games,surely he could do 10-15 in each half. but as is another wasted bench spot. thought king went ok. 3 bench spots,or the use of them is killing us. in games now,but i worry further down the line. we are grinding some of our forwards into the ground. energy levels have dropped a little now,what will they be like after easter.or even during. was thorman not going used as goal kicker while tickle was being rested,cos we didnt want to play him 80 every week.

i belive this is taking its toll,could have won the 2 losses with better use of bench.