Allez wrote:
So how come, whilst I accept some of his shortcomings due to his age, that many authorities in the game still regard Wellens as, and cite him accordingly, as one of the best full backs around in SL?
Because he's such a nice guy. It's hard to criticise Wello because of what he's done for the club. I feel sick every time I slag him off on here, the man has bled for the club so many times and put his all into it for more than a decade.
Wello could do what he's doing now, (i.e taking the odd bomb, making the odd tackle, backing up and running onto a few balls near the opposition line to score) until he's 40 comfortably. Does that mean we should let him?
IMO Wello has appeared to be performing better under Rush and KC because he's not as involved in the attack. He's not attempting to chime into the line as much and therefore is being noticed for dying with the ball and wasting tackles. A good example is the Catalans match, what did Wello do during that game? He's not around to make the tackles he used to, he's made a fool of himself several times in one on ones over the past couple of seasons and his contribution to the attack is that of a 'master', he still knows what to do so will get plenty of tries as he has the game knowhow and savvy to be in those positions, but he's not a threat at all. Sam Tomkins gets the ball in your 20 and you close your eyes, he gets it in broken play you start screaming. Wello gets it in broken play you discuss mowing the lawn or the weather, he gets it in the opposition 20 and the opposition fans breath a sigh of relief.