I've just read in the HDM how out dyanmic leader is struggling to know where to play Briscoe. For me, the problem is less difficult or complex than he's making it.

Firstly, Tansey's our Full-Back. He's growing in that role, and we need a full-back - so, Mr Tinkerman, don't make a change you don't need to. Keep him as Fullback.

If Raynor and Calderwood are fit, FORM (and I mean relative to the whole team), suggests you have the wing pair sorted...... No Change.

First debate is the centres. This is where we struggle. In recent months NOBODY has shone there. Yeaman's been sterile for 2 years, Hall looks lively and has not PROVED yet that he CAN'T play there, but nor made himself a definite. Graeme Horne is a last option centre for me. So, Briscoe, who's fav. position is centre, should be locked down NOW. The only question is, 2nd centre. For me, it's hall, with Yeaman waiting to pounce if Briscoe or Hall fail, but it could be the other way.

Then, you go to the halfs - the MAIN problem area. Bottom line is, no Horne due to injury, Nor Thorman cause he's had too many chances, and simply can't take it. If washbrooke's available, I'd play him at loose forward, Radford's a joke there. Therefore I would make the half backs Berrigan and Whiting, with Lee on the Bench.

Pack : Cordoda and King to start, Dowes and Moa on bench. Houghton at hooker. Manu, Tickle in 2nd row. Radford at Loose if Washy's out, Radford has the last bench spot if he isn't. If Radford's at loose, Lauaki on bench, or Hall/Yeaman if not.

HOW HARD CAN IT BE !!!!!! - unless you have other ideas........................ if you do, I can see why AGAR can't choose.

Is this part of the TELL US feature ?

????????????????/ com on then Hutchie, giz a clue mate

So where would you play Whiting then if not in the centre?

loose forward maybe???

Loose Forward in place of Washbrook. Bigger, stronger and a broader range of attacking skills.

Apart from that for me he's a bench player that gives Agar options to move the team around.

Why rush to bring him (Briscoe) back for such a nothing game anyway?

Washy is a miles better 13 than whiting, whitings problem is that every position he plays we have somebody better.

Rubbish.

It's impossible to say that one is 'miles' better than the other. They both bring different skills and attributes to the position.

Whiting's problem is that he hasn't had the opportunity to play in one position for an extended period because he's so versatile that as soon as we get a few injuries, he's shunted about all over the place to fill in. That, and the fact that he's had a few injuries of his own.

Give him a run at 6 or 13 and he'll produce the goods, I'm certain.

I think if Whiting had been showing enough on the training field to suggest he was a good 6 then he'd have been put there before now given we've been carp at 1/2 back for 3 years now.

I think he has the skills to be a good 13, whether he has the physical presence to be a success there I'm not sure. Fact is that most coaches now prefer a glorified 2nd rower rather than a ball handler probably means we'll never really see him there anyway

Disagree. He was injured for pretty much the entire 2008. Thorman and Horne have been given chance after chance in 2009. And 2007 we had Matty Head and Horne who played well. He's not a 7, and Horne has pretty much always had 6 nailed down.

And for some reason we don't play loose forwards at 13 at this club.

I don't reckon any coach would consider dropping Horne, do you? He's also been injured for a lot of that time, which hasn't helped. Then there's the fact that our current coaching set up can't see what's right under their noses. Take the fact that Radford has played 13 all season as an example.



I think he and Washbrook would both make good 13s, but for different reasons. The fact that Washy is nearer to the glorified 2nd rower you mentioned means that he will probably get the nod next year. To start with, at least.

2007 we were in dissaray when judas left so played every man and his dog at 1/2 back before head came over.

This year we've played our hooker at scrum half and our 6 at FB. If they thought whiting was the answer he'd have played there

They thought Thorman was the answer at 7. Do you really trust the judgement of our coaching staff?

At stand off, which he did say in his post.



Personally I'd play Whiting at 6 with Berro, if I remember correctly, Whiting came to the club as a stand off.

I would also start Dowes instead of Cordona.

A nothing game? How very dare you! This is the start of our assault on the playoffs I'll have you know.

We've gone off thread - The real issue here is not Whiting or Washy at 13 : Surely if Washy travels, it's Washy - End of.

The issue is, why does Agar want to move Tansey and not play Briscoe in the obvious centres. When we have a problem in one position, the nugget changes the whole side to solve it.

He was brought in because of his ability to perform in several positions, maybe Agar wants to see how he gets on. I believe Briscoe will develop into a great centre, however not yet I still believe he needs further development on the wings.

Interesting, and 'on thread' response BB, I guess you are suggesting you mature a centre on the wing, where they are less exposed................... is there good examples of this ? I thought winger's (real winger's) are always wingers and Centre's the same ? If so, maybe you have a point, and the delema of 'AGAR the Terrible' is 'How do we protect and nurture him on the wing, when I have 2 good winger's and a few average centres

I hear what you are saying, however the modern game has produced a lot of modern concepts in which players tend to be able to play various roles within the squad,for example Berrigan, Motu, Tansey, Whiting the list is endless.
In relation to Briscoe he has the speed, strength and skills to perform both as wing & centre I believe he should develop more on the wing to build up his confidence and knowledge,so in a sense yes it offers more protection on the wing at present since returning back form injury from Wembley to then be injured a few games later.Like I said he has the ability to develop into a first class centre however this does not need to be rushed.

Are you really saying Whiting is stronger than Washy

Would you drop Raynor to achieve this ?

I like whiting, but I've got to believe Washy is more creative and offensive than Whiting, or I'd conclude there's no place for Washy at FC. So for me, no contest at Loose, Washy. Whiting is a jack of all trades, a good squad player, good work ethic etc...... and looks a world-beater in a side playing as we are now. But if we are on form (ahhhh,the dizzy heights of our run to the grand final), Whiting would be deemed, IMHO, too slow for a centre, not creative and offensive for a 1/2 or loose, and hence a potential 2nd rower.................. but we have enough and better 2nd rowers........ hence, he's a utility player at FC, by default.

Based on performances over the last couple of seasons yes I probably would, I believe Brisoce offers more with his speed and strength.
I understand your point about our lack of quality centres it does not matter who we play in the centre as they do not pass to the wingers any way

, however I do not believe Briscoe is the quality centre(yet) that we desperately need.