It's quite ironic that the top teams have a quality ball playing individual at loose man: St's = Wilkin, Rhino's = Sinfield, Wigan = O'Loughlin. Washbrook has a place in modern day Rugby League, I just don't think it's at Hull Fc.

Sadly youve got the nail on the head, at least while Agar is in charge.



Did you know (as im in a stats mood today) Richard Horne has our top assists with 6 and O'Loughlin has 12 assists at Wigan. I know that assists are how you want to interpret it but it's pretty damning. Imagine if we had Washy at 13 to pick up just 6 assists rather than a prop who picks up none. We'd look a lot more dynamic imo.

Maybe O'Loughlin is just very good..?

No maybe about it, he is very good. But thats why ive said if Washy played 13 and got 6 assists and not 12 like O'Loughlin it would still make us a better team.

I honestly think this is where we are suffering; our defence always seems to be stretched, we always seem to be predictable. For me this is due to having a 'traditional' floating loose man.

Washy has the defensive workrate and stength to play 80 mins at 13 too. Maybe Agar should think about playing him there and using Fitz for 60 mins in the 2nd row.

*Edit*

I knew what you meant.

Cheers Dave

It's the Wollemi Chardonnay...Damn you Sainsbury's

Sinfield's a ball player, but I wouldn't say the other two are. They can pass and kick, very well, but they are still grafters (as is Sinfield as well, just to a lesser extent with the ball) and that is their main role in the team. They use the ball to add in something a bit different to the usual options and I think that's what Washbrook offers from 13. He'll tackle for 80 minutes and can take 15 hit-ups a game, but he has good hands when the option is there. Radford doesn't and Fitzgibbon, whilst being better, doesn't really either. That wouldn't be a problem if our halves and fullback were in every match and on form, but, Tansey aside, they haven't been, which means we are lacking due to not having an extra option occasionally.

Well put. So with our lack of creativity and injuries in the halves would it not make more sense for Agar to alter his plans and play a ball playing 13 to help us? I wouldnt mind Turner and Horne in the halves if Washy played 13. (i see Turner and Horne both as runners)