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Re: Storton : Tue Aug 20, 2024 3:27 pm  

The problem with playing a prop at second row is mobility. Whether someone CAN play both doesn't mean they should.

SR is vital for edge defense. Tanginoa is a good example of a big guy playing wide. He's great in attack and great in defense when someone runs at him but when the line is stretched the gap between him and centre is too great and leaves them vulnerable.
Prop hooker and 13 are all middle defenders doing the same job in defense.
SR is very different.

Re: Storton : Tue Aug 20, 2024 5:12 pm  

imwakefieldtillidie wrote:

If you look at the pack Powell is assembling, a fair few of them are have played or are capable of playing front or back row.

Rodwell, McMeeken, Bain, Storton, Vagana have all played both at some point. Only Atoni and Uele look out and out props. Having said, I think McMeeken will have been signed with intention of playing prop, but he'll be equally good if we do need to drop him back at any point.

All the way back ??

Re: Storton : Tue Aug 20, 2024 5:31 pm  

imwakefieldtillidie wrote:

If you look at the pack Powell is assembling, a fair few of them are have played or are capable of playing front or back row.

Rodwell, McMeeken, Bain, Storton, Vagana have all played both at some point. Only Atoni and Uele look out and out props. Having said, I think McMeeken will have been signed with intention of playing prop, but he'll be equally good if we do need to drop him back at any point.

Seems to be the trend now to run with mainly middles and only 1 or at most 2 specialist out and out props.

I think the rule changes in recent years have played a major part in that along with the death of ball handling 13s as the ball handling duties have shifted more to the fullback.

Running with 4 ball handlers on the pitch is a real challenge to keep them all effective.

Re: Storton : Fri Aug 23, 2024 7:40 pm  

I like the look of Catalans second rower tonight

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Re: Storton : Fri Aug 23, 2024 8:18 pm  

I prefer him at prop

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Re: Storton : Fri Aug 23, 2024 8:21 pm  

They just targeted him in defense and left him flat footed.

In all seriousness I like the fact that he can still play SR and clearly he's been out for a few weeks but I feel like he isn't involved enough compared to when he's playing in the middle.

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Re: Storton : Fri Aug 23, 2024 8:46 pm  

Twice

Re: Storton : Fri Aug 23, 2024 8:56 pm  

Very harsh to attribute that to his position he’s playing.

I’d say it’s far more to do with his first game in 3 months and doing the full 80.

As for Leeds, the ref really offered Leeds a silver platter and front foot in that one.

Bentley gets up walks two steps pushing a Catalan player and ref waves 6 again to Leeds not for first time and not for first time. Catalan were snuffed out of that and weren’t allowed to generate any ruck speed.

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Re: Storton : Fri Aug 23, 2024 9:00 pm  

I actually said his lack of involvement was partly to do with first game back.

But if you are going to get tired, you have more protection in the middle.

No matter what the reason, they targeted him twice and he missed both times which gave away 2 tries.

I prefer him in the middle. Just my opinion.

Re: Storton : Fri Aug 23, 2024 9:09 pm  

Trojan Horse wrote:

Very harsh to attribute that to his position he’s playing.

I’d say it’s far more to do with his first game in 3 months and doing the full 80.

As for Leeds, the ref really offered Leeds a silver platter and front foot in that one.

Bentley gets up walks two steps pushing a Catalan player and ref waves 6 again to Leeds not for first time and not for first time. Catalan were snuffed out of that and weren’t allowed to generate any ruck speed.

I agree with both of you, he was blowing out of his proverbial in those last 10 minutes and as you say it's his first game in a few months, so it's expected you're not gonna get a 100% McMeekan. I also agree with Poptart's point about the amount of involvement he has playing at SR. When he plays at Prop imo he's far more involved and he's such a big guy now he tires defences out when he's constantly taking hit-ups and making big meters, which were few and far between tonight with him being wider. Tbf If Catalans had been leading they'd have probably subbed him, but to say it was his first game in 3 months it's impressive he can still play the full 80, especially when that second half was just defensive work from them, with Leeds just putting them under pressure all half.

Also, agree about the reffing, particularly in that second half, he seemed influenced by the crowd and none of the 50/50 calls didn't go the Catalan way.