Your 24 man England squad - Hooker : Fri Oct 03, 2014 1:30 pm  

With the 24 man squad announcement for the Four Nations coming up, I thought we'd see what team we put together as a board. I'll be putting on different positions every so often with a shortlist to pick from. The squad will have 2 Full Backs, 3 Wingers, 3 Centres, 3 Halves, 2 Hookers, 6 props and 5 back rowers. If any players you'd like to pick aren't on the shortlist than please say.

For today we will do hookers, you have two votes on the poll and please indicate your order of playing preference in a post. In the case of positions on the bench, starting position will be allocated on preference.

Re: Your 24 man England squad - Hooker : Fri Oct 03, 2014 1:30 pm  

1. James Roby
2. Daryl Clark

Re: Your 24 man England squad - Hooker : Fri Oct 03, 2014 1:36 pm  

Roby then McIlorum

Re: Your 24 man England squad - Hooker : Fri Oct 03, 2014 2:15 pm  

I think Clarke is a tremendous player, but a combination of Roby and McIlorum is ideal. I would start with McIlorum to get the benefit of his aggression in the early exchanges and then bring Roby on after 20 for the rest of the game, perhaps then spelling McIlorum at 13. But in order of preference, it's:

1. Roby
2. McIlorum

Re: Your 24 man England squad - Hooker : Fri Oct 03, 2014 2:17 pm  

Roby
McIllorum

Re: Your 24 man England squad - Hooker : Fri Oct 03, 2014 2:43 pm  

Dux wrote:

I think Clarke is a tremendous player, but a combination of Roby and McIlorum is ideal. I would start with McIlorum to get the benefit of his aggression in the early exchanges and then bring Roby on after 20 for the rest of the game, perhaps then spelling McIlorum at 13. But in order of preference, it's:

1. Roby
2. McIlorum

It sounds a plausible plan, but part of me has this feeling that we've all been convinced (worn down) that this is the way forward by the Wigan contingent, constantly banging his drum for the past 8 years.
McI would potentially lead the line well early on, but that by itself is not worth a spot, so it depends on the personalities of the other middle players we're taking as to whether he's necessary there.

I've gone for Lunt, as I think he's probably the nearest thing we've got to Robes as an all round hooker - smart, creative, sharp at the PTB, etc.

I fully expect the McIlorum/Roby thing to be trialled, though, and we'll be proved right or wrong either way.

Re: Your 24 man England squad - Hooker : Fri Oct 03, 2014 2:55 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

It sounds a plausible plan, but part of me has this feeling that we've all been convinced (worn down) that this is the way forward by the Wigan contingent, constantly banging his drum for the past 8 years.
McI would potentially lead the line well early on, but that by itself is not worth a spot, so it depends on the personalities of the other middle players we're taking as to whether he's necessary there.

I've gone for Lunt, as I think he's probably the nearest thing we've got to Robes as an all round hooker - smart, creative, sharp at the PTB, etc.

I fully expect the McIlorum/Roby thing to be trialled, though, and we'll be proved right or wrong either way.

The thing about McIlorum is that, while I don't really think he's a particularly special hooker, he's a very, very good forward (if that makes sense). His physicality can be really influential - he seems to rile up the players around him and put opponents off their game. Just the sort of player you want in a big test match.

Re: Your 24 man England squad - Hooker : Fri Oct 03, 2014 2:57 pm  

MM is a very different player to Robes, thats why i picked him. He is an all or nothing player though, great or dire

Re: Your 24 man England squad - Hooker : Fri Oct 03, 2014 3:04 pm  

Dux wrote:

The thing about McIlorum is that, while I don't really think he's a particularly special hooker, he's a very, very good forward (if that makes sense). His physicality can be really influential - he seems to rile up the players around him and put opponents off their game. Just the sort of player you want in a big test match.

And I do agree. I've posted elsewhere that in the above selection, I'd expect to see the pair on for the majority of the game which would give us an extra durability and stamina in defence.

Its good and important o be able to give the oppo a bash, but when its pretty much what you're relying on, will that wash against the Aussies?

We'll not know until we try. McIlorum is a very important player to a successful team, so in that sense he does deserve a crack of the whip, but Hooker's a strong position for us and his selection will mean leaving very good players out.

There's just part of me wondering whether its MM's performances that have people convinced, or the constant testimony of all that are Wigan????

Re: Your 24 man England squad - Hooker : Fri Oct 03, 2014 3:19 pm  

Roby
Clark