I'd imagine one of Rankin, Abdull, HTW, maybe even Westerman, would fill in if needed. Though we'd probably flesh it out with a 60-80 minute performance from either Houghton or Cunningham for a game or two. That would work for me.

Codhead. Download Ghostery. It gets rid of all these annoying videos etc.

whiting!

Didnt radford try hadley at hooker last season too

I've not seen anything from Cunningham but I really like the idea of Rankin at 9 especially if our new halves turn out to be a winning combination. Rankin's enthusiasm , strength - especially near the line - and his pace make him a player for me that I'd want to see in the 17 every week and if not hooker it's difficult to see where he gets a game.

I'd still like to see a big impact prop brought in, even if its a 'project' like Moa was, I think we lack someone destructive to come on and hassle the opposition.

In Wilf`s diary this week he said that someone had found some twitter news that we were after Matt Ballin a hooker from Manly, don`t know if there is anything in it.

Moa was a great success in the end.

But for every Moa, there is a Hutch Maiava

A fast Centre would be my choice

Michaels will play centre & Rankin is probably seen as more of a HB given Naughton's arrival. Hate utilities.

These will the be tweets in question. Looks like just another rumour, although this started down under.

Gareth Neville ‏@89Beau Oct 26
@mattmastroianni @RugbyLeagueNews I'm hearing @mattballin9 has signed with Hull FC

Rugby League News ‏@RugbyLeagueNews Oct 26
@89Beau @mattmastroianni @mattballin9 haven't heard that but could happen.

Makes more sense that it's Hull KR. They have a quota spot free, are signing a hooker and committed to spending the full cap.

Radford has definitely been looking for a hooker.

I would like to see Rankin do the Heremaia role, have my doubts on Cunningham IMO Rankin would offer far more and would do a better with his speed ect..

And would be a liability in defence, with his size he would very rarely dominate and win the collision.

Neither does Houghton but everyone seems to regard him as a great defender for some reason.

is it ever really a hooker's job to dominate the collision? Everything they do is from the floor, getting on the legs is their job.

Even if they don't fully dominate they still need to be tough enough to defend in the middle of the park. The best hooker in the world is a top class defender! Going from full back to off half and not exactly looking physically strong enough to play hooker I'm sure the big men in the game will enjoy making easy yards over him. Though is everyone who wants to see him at hooker not considered the the physicality of playing in the middle of the park?

Really? I'd say Houghton groundwork is as good anyone's in our team. He makes 40 odd tackles a game as an average! Can't really see how anyone can fault his Defence.

I've not been particularly concerned by his D. He's 6.3 n 14 n half stone. Big kid for a half at only 22 . So with some specific off season training for a impact hooking role I could see how it could work.

It's a fair point re Rankin's ability to defend in the middle because he's not carried out that role before but I think he has that mongrel and enthusiasm in him that would see him to good effect there. He's also got what we lack at acting half which is speed of thought and the skill and pace to go with it. The problem with being a great defensive 9 is that you're too knackered to think let alone apply anything remotely creative. I think Houghton and Rankin [icould[/i compliment each other pretty well used properly. I'd like to see him given a go there.

He makes a lot of tackles, mainly because the opposition target him. He rarely ever dominates a tackle, and the other team get a quick ptb because of it.

His workrate is excellent, but I have always felt we would be a better team defensively if he didn't get involved so often.

Not sure where all this Houghton bashing has come from??

2 seasons ago he was SL top tackler over the course of the full season. He consistently puts in 40+ tackles a game and often puts in an 80 minute stint. His work rate is top drawer! His attacking prowess is not of the same ilk as say James Roby but he does contribute with yards going forward from dummy half and the odd grubber or kick over the top.

As for mixing it in the middle of the park, isn't that what the big guys who surround the hooker are for???!!!

Is it really a hookers job to win collision? I'm not sure it is. What Houghton does really well is prevent a forward from finding the floor quickly by keeping him upright, allowing us to get men in the tackle and win the floor. I doubt there's video of the likes of Roby & Clark winning one on one collision.

Plenty of areas for improvement in Houghton's game, not sure defence is one.

I'm not getting at Houghton. He's not a big guy so he does okay considering. But it's not his job to be first man in trying to win the collision against big forwards. He needs to take a step back and let his forwards do that.

His workrate and enthusiasm is to be applauded. But it's not necessarily good for the team.

You might not think it's his job to be first man in the tackle but not a lot you can do if they come straight at you/target you. Last time I checked, a hooker is a forward!