yup reece on wing outside yeamo! Washy misses out 18th man!.. 4 forwards on bench!.. Lets see wot happens.

Are they wearing long studs?

Wasn't impressed with his ball to Yeamo, though. If it was in the breadbasket he would have been over.

We'd be totally ed. We'd either have to move Manu Centre, Briscoe to Fb, Whiting to Hooker, or move Manu to Centre and Briscoe to Hooker. Both terrible options.

So we're expecting houghton to do the full 80 and have no cover should he get injured. Sounds like a recipe for success

Isn't Washy spelling with him at hooker? I agree though, we're ed if he gets a bad knock.

Whiting can probably do a job at hooker with Sharp going to fullback, Briscoe to wing and Manu to centre.

Briscoe at hooker is interesting, he could certainly exploit the gaps with his scoots if we get quick play the ball, cant imagine his distribution will be up to much though.

I suppose Turner is an option too.

Someone posted earlier that washy is 18th man

Ah right, didn't see that, haven't been on much today. How do we know this?

If true, its a crazy decision,

What happens if Long gets injured???

Radford or Moa to 7?

If thats the decision it is beyond stupid. It would be yet another chapter in the Agar book of not having the balls to leave out a "senior" player. 4 Forwards on the bench makes no sense as we have several forwards who can do a lot of minutes anyway.

I dont think you can afford to carry players just incase of an injury though. If Agar doesnt think Washy is upto it then its a risk we will have to take. Highlights even more our need for a half back/ hooker though.

Agar has actually stated Tom's natural position is centre, which is also where he's played throughout his early years. He got his SL chance on the wing through injury if I recall correct and he's excelled - to an International standard. I'm personally slightly in the "keep him on the wing" camp - but I would love to see him come inside and have a run at centre. He's our biggest strike weapon and wingers see the least ball - especially Hull wingers.

A 6ft 4 inch hooker

Whilst the bench has become a means of changing the game and keeping players fresh, its main role should always be to cover injuries/knocks to players IMO.

Washy has to be on the bench.

Needs must though. He is more suited to hooker than alot of the others, at least he has some sort of passing game. In fact now I think about it if Houghton does get injured I would go:

Turner to 9
Whiting to 6
Sharp to 1
Briscoe to 2
Manu to 3

A hell of alot of upheaval for one player though. Similarly if Long were to pick up a bang:

Turner to 7
Whiting to 6
Sharp to 1
Briscoe to 2
Manu to 3

Alternatively Washy could be on the bench.

Which is why we are in need of a player who can play both hooker and half back on the bench.

Washy should be on the bench imo, but if he's not then what I have suggested is probably the best option.

Anyway, at the risk of tempting fate, when does Houghton ever get hurt? He's nails.

I would go -

1 - Whiting
2 - Sharp
3 - Turner
4 - Yeaman
5 - Briscoe
6 - Westerman
7 - Long
8 Dowes
9 - Houghton
10 OMeley
11 Radford
12 Tickle
13 Fitz

14 Luaki
15 Manu
16 Moa
17 Washbrook

Would rather put Westerman in the halfs than really disrupt the back line and have to put Briscoe in centre etc. Think this leaves more people in natural positions and Westerman could do a job at 6. Washy to cover 6 and 9 if needed if things open up.

Whiting
Lyne
Yeaman
Briscoe
Sharp
Turner
Long
O'Meeley
Houghton
Radford
Westerman
Tickle
Fitzgibbon

Moa
Lauaki
Manu
Washy

That would be my side, Houghton can do the odd game for 80 mins but it is not something I would like to see repeated often.

Swap dowes for washy Paul and you've got it spot on from what I'm hearing, not long to wait now though!! Come on you ulla!

Houghtons distribution isnt the quickest when he comes on for 20min spells never mind doing the full 80. I cant see RA leaving Washbrook out.

Houghtons alot like Roby who cant do the full 80 at hooker which is why they had him and Moore on for all the game or most of it.

IF Agar selects 4 forwards on the bench, its suicide -IMHO

No replacement for either Long or Houghton is a recipe
for disaster.

Washbrook or Williams must be on the bench.