Good !

May give him a kick up his !

He was our best prop before his injury last season.

Agree 2006/2007 he was immense

Each to their own but I dont think his heart is in it and he has lost far too much weight to be our main ground maker !

time will tell

It most certainly will !

How much weight do you think he has lost?

I arent sure of exact weights but I have seen him quite a bit recently and although he looks very physically fit/in shape he doesnt seem to have the bulk of others or of what he used to have. l do think he will struggle to win us yardage but then again unless Sam Moa is a monster then I think we will struggle in this department anyway.

Not that I want to be negative in any way shape or form I just think we will have to utilise other strengths !

He might surprise us if he's loas a few pounds, especially if it's a result of some lifestyle changes.

I think we are going to struggle for a battering ram next season, we'll have to play much smarter rugby to win games.

We're doomed.

That is what concerns me too!

Jamie Thackray isn't exactly massive is he but, he runs at pace with agression and punches holes and breaks tackles. You don't have to be huge to make good impact, just run with a purpose.

Thackray quite often makes more then one point of impact during a single carry, he hits the line, backs off and then goes again. Hopefully Berrigan, Thorman and Horne will benefit on the back of his runs.

quite surprised people would rather have 2 props and 2 back rowers on the bench instead of houghton.

Its not a case of 'rather than Houghton' its a case of playing to the strengths of the team and the fact that Berro benefits from playing 80 mins at hooker.

Exactly we need Berro playing the full 80 mins so he can influence the game more.

I may get slammed for this but, Makali Aizue isnt the biggest either, and he does the same.

With you there, I'd always have Houghton on the bench.

I agree, I can understand so many wanting Berrigan to play for the full 80 mins but he can cover other positions in case of injury. Having 2 props and 2 S/R forwards on the bench is not really going to cover an injury to a back.

Well if Whiting's on the bench then he can cover centre which with Bryne or Briscoe probably playing somewhere means all the backs are covered.

If Washy's on the bench then he can cover 6, enabling Horne to play /where ever needed.

Yes, fair enough but Berrigan can cover those positions better IMO.

But as soon as he moves from hooker we go to . =white(I'll pre-empt any 'you're anyway' comments here)

I'd much rather have slightly worse cover at centre than better cover there but much worse cover at hooker. Plus, of course, if we don't pick up an injury (a long shot, I know), it's a waste of a bench spot and means we either make a change for the sake of it, weakening the team, or someone has to play longer than necessary, diminishing their effectiveness.

We have plenty of cover to be honest. 2 props and 2 second rowers but with Washy and Manu able to slot into the backs should we need it. Berrigan must play 9, he is wasted anywhere else including 6 or 7.

close

good call #1



good call # 2



bad call