Re: Half back situation : Fri May 18, 2012 3:47 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

Lomax has played no.6 throughout his rugby career. Rush has been quoted as saying that all his coaches have stated he has been their best player within his cohort.

Lomax is definitely a halfback but which one? Simmons was quoted last season as saying he wasn't ready for international honours but hey-ho he was promoted from the Knights to the England team anyway. He hasn't yet had a full season in the scrum half jersey and I would like to know what Longy was like after less than a season in that position? My guess is he wasn't setting the world alight.

Lomax needs continued coaching, he needs support, he needs time and he needs an experienced halfback partner who is actually going to help him rather than hinder him.

This post is full of common sense.

Re: Half back situation : Fri May 18, 2012 4:26 pm  

FearTheVee wrote:

I'm not convinced we need to replace Wello at FB

Seriously? Wello is really only useful coming into the line when we're about ten to twenty metres out because the opposition knows that they can focus on his outside runners due to the lack of pace he has. Compare him to somebody with pace and look how indecisive a defence is when faced with the threat of a full back who, if you give them a yard, is gone through the gap. A fast, attacking full back has been a necessity at the very top of RL since Anthony Minichiello won the golden boot which was over seven years ago. I don't know of any NRL teams which could operate without one now. Seven years ago that wasn't a major issue because those other qualities were strong enough to compensate for any pace differentials, now they are not.

Re: Half back situation : Fri May 18, 2012 10:34 pm  

McClennan wrote:

Seriously? Wello is really only useful coming into the line when we're about ten to twenty metres out because the opposition knows that they can focus on his outside runners due to the lack of pace he has. Compare him to somebody with pace and look how indecisive a defence is when faced with the threat of a full back who, if you give them a yard, is gone through the gap. A fast, attacking full back has been a necessity at the very top of RL since Anthony Minichiello won the golden boot which was over seven years ago. I don't know of any NRL teams which could operate without one now. Seven years ago that wasn't a major issue because those other qualities were strong enough to compensate for any pace differentials, now they are not.

Spot on

Re: Half back situation : Fri May 18, 2012 10:40 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

. He hasn't yet had a full season in the scrum half jersey and I would like to know what Longy was like after less than a season in that position? My guess is he wasn't setting the world alight.

Lomax needs continued coaching, he needs support, he needs time and he needs an experienced halfback partner who is actually going to help him rather than hinder him.

Sean Long was a 6 when we bought him but we converted him to play 7 when Goulding left and Tommy Martyn came back from one of his many injuries. As you say he benefited from having an experienced half with him and also from having KC at 9 and players like Scully and Karl Hammond in the team.

Lomax needs coaching and he could do with a half with experience to partner him not some half arsed wannabe halfback who is better suited to fullback or hooker.

Re: Half back situation : Sun May 20, 2012 6:42 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

Lomax needs continued coaching, he needs support, he needs time and he needs an experienced halfback partner who is actually going to help him rather than hinder him.

I know a club where Jon could play and get all the things that you you list

Re: Half back situation : Sun May 20, 2012 6:46 pm  

Fatbelly wrote:

I know a club where Jon could play and get all the things that you you list

Yeah but he's about 50 years too young!!!!!

Re: Half back situation : Sun May 20, 2012 7:05 pm  

Top Saint wrote:

Yeah but he's about 50 years too young!!!!!

Mmmm don't be so sure my Shell Suited friend.
Here are 12 of our players (& their ages) that played for us at Wakey today.

Chris Riley Date of Birth: 22.02.1988 = 23
Ryan Atkins Date of Birth: 07.10.1985 = 26
Matty Blythe Date of Birth: 20.11.1988 = 23
Rhys Williams Date of Birth: 08.12.1989 = 22
Stefan Ratchford Date of Birth: 19.07.1988 = 23
Gareth O'Brien Date of Birth: 31.10.1991 = 20
Chris Hill Date of Birth: 03.11.1987 = 24
Tyrone McCarthy Date of Birth: 21.04.1988 = 24
Ben Harrison Date of Birth 24.02.1988 = 24
Mike Cooper Date of Birth: 15.09.1988 = 23
Simon Grix Date of Birth: 28.09.1985 = 26
Ben Currie Date of Birth: 15.07.1994 = 17

These 12 players who are all in are 1st team squad and played today.
They have a combined age a little under 23.
I am sure you would agree they are far from over the hill.

Oh and by the way these 12 helped us to a 42 - 12 victory.
Just Saying

Re: Half back situation : Sun May 20, 2012 7:14 pm  

I'm sure those players didn't have a combined age of a little under 23.....

Re: Half back situation : Sun May 20, 2012 7:16 pm  

SAINT ANDREW wrote:

I'm sure those players didn't have a combined age of a little under 23.....

Do the Math my Saintly one.

Re: Half back situation : Sun May 20, 2012 7:17 pm  

Of those players i get 22.91

so yes they do i'm afraid.