: Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:31 pm  

Standee wrote:

It is an accepted fact that atheletes lose a certain amount of pace with age, add in the muscle atrophy that occurs during injury/recovery and he has, understandably, lost pace over the years.

He is much better suited to play 13, he has a great football brain and reads the game well, and for those reasons he could, at a push, play FB if really needed.

So, he's not a centre because of his lack of pace, but he could play full back if really needed?

Seriously?

Hang on a minute, I almost fell for it. Of course you're not that stupid.

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:33 pm  

PAUL M wrote:

Disagree, Whiting can still play centre and so does RA as I believe Whiting is playing centre tonight?

People can throw around about Whiting being a backrower or looseman but where is the evidence he can play there and do a good job in SL?

His best games have all been at centre, I woul imagine he might be able to do a good job at looseman too although not so sure about the backrow.

Good points all, but what really baffles me is why [some of] those who think he will be a good 13, don't think he can play centre as well. Isn't s possible to be good in two positions?

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:34 pm  

Standee wrote:

It is an accepted fact that atheletes lose a certain amount of pace with age, add in the muscle atrophy that occurs during injury/recovery and he has, understandably, lost pace over the years.

He is much better suited to play 13, he has a great football brain and reads the game well, and for those reasons he could, at a push, play FB if really needed.

Its not quite as easy as that. It is accepted that you can loose pace from around the age of 25 because of muscle loss. However "loosing pace with age" is much more likely for couch potatoes than a sportsman who keeps himself fit. Also injury can "benefit" your speed and general fitness. People tend to try harder in training/recovery and sometimes are better for it. I did my ACL's when in my late 20's and came back much fitter because of the rehab (which I wouldnt have done as much training without)
Personelly I still never thought Whiting was that slow but would agrea he would make a better 13 than perhaps a solid centre.

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:34 pm  

Rock God X wrote:

Good points all, but what really baffles me is why [some of] those who think he will be a good 13, don't think he can play centre as well. Isn't s possible to be good in two positions?

Yes it is, R. Horne SO & FB

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:34 pm  

PAUL M wrote:

Disagree, Whiting can still play centre and so does RA as I believe Whiting is playing centre tonight?

People can throw around about Whiting being a backrower or looseman but where is the evidence he can play there and do a good job in SL?

His best games have all been at centre, I woul imagine he might be able to do a good job at looseman too although not so sure about the backrow.

he played outstanding against leeds two years ago at looseman

scored twice that two iirc

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:35 pm  

Standee wrote:

It is an accepted fact that atheletes lose a certain amount of pace with age, add in the muscle atrophy that occurs during injury/recovery and he has, understandably, lost pace over the years.

He is much better suited to play 13, he has a great football brain and reads the game well, and for those reasons he could, at a push, play FB if really needed.

Surely it's those attributes that make the likes of Gidley and Lyon the world class centres they are.

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:35 pm  

PAUL M wrote:

Yes it is, R. Horne SO & FB

Or Sam Moa - prop and winger (or whatever it was).

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:36 pm  

The Kings of Hull wrote:

Surely it's those attributes that make the likes of Gidley and Lyon the world class centres they are.

added to a great turn of pace, agreed.

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:40 pm  

Standee wrote:

It is an accepted fact that atheletes lose a certain amount of pace with age, add in the muscle atrophy that occurs during injury/recovery and he has, understandably, lost pace over the years.

Fair comment for players reaching late twenties i would of thought but Richard is only 24.

Plus we haven't seen him run for months so don't know how you can say he has lost speed.

Might turn out to be true but we have yet to see the evidence

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:44 pm  

davey37 wrote:

Fair comment for players reaching late twenties i would of thought but Richard is only 24.

Plus we haven't seen him run for months so don't know how you can say he has lost speed.

Might turn out to be true but we have yet to see the evidence

has whiting ever been noted to be speedy