@dan1 Luke Thompson is shown as 6ft and 15 stone in Betfred SL site. The point that I am making is that the prop position these days is not necessarily a "specialist" position. It just requires a big bloke not afraid to run at a brick wall at full speed for 20 minutes in a game!! An ability to tackle and make the occasional offload is a bonus.
I think fitness plays a lot in the SL game and that is really the difference between an average and a decent player.
Maybe we should be looking at a link with Papua New Guinea again or Australian lower league.
You tend to find the Outside Backs take the first 3-4 drives in. The Props/Middles don't take it in as often as you think, anymore.
Paulie xx
@pauliewalnuts Outside backs take the first 2 from the play the ball when on or close to the line as the extra speed gets them clear. Can't recall a team using outside backs to take in 3 or 4 drives for more than a couple of sets a game.
On a side note, at 6 foot tall absolutely no way Luke Thompson with the build of him is 15 stone. 16.5 stone minimum.
Big forwards, fast backs and creative half backs with a kicking game. Its a simple game on paper. At the moment we are definitely lacking size/numbers up front. But early days recruitment wise, we do have time to get 3/4 players in.
I agree with you 100% on the squad as a whole.
I really do not see what Bent gives us going forward. I'm getting feed up of hearing say he tries hard, but at this level you need more than that. He's not a middle, or even a second row, or lock, what is he?
What ever assessment you take we don't have any players capable of performing that role on a regular basis.Can you explain to me just what is a "specialist prop" these days. I am old enough to remember when props had a key role in the scrums, but scrums are pretty meaningless these days.I'm glad that Hall has signed but agree with the general sentiment, we need 2 specialist props.
Is a specialist prop a player who will run at the opposition at full speed (like running into a wall!!!) for 20 minutes and maybe have an offload too? Do they have to be 18 stone or could someone of say 14 -17 stone who is fearless, can tackle and a good ball handler, carry out the role just as effectively?
With the exception of FlemingYou tend to find the Outside Backs take the first 3-4 drives in. The Props/Middles don't take it in as often as you think, anymore.
Paulie xx