Higham

[Matthew]

ChrisA posted:
We all understand the thinking behind it, its just why would he play 2 hookers of the same style ?. That was my point, nobody has really answered it though as yet. Hooker isnt like prop were you get tired out, hookers used to play the full 80 up until a few years ago and everyone began to copy the Aussies and using Craig Wing as an impact player.
Hookers can last 80 minutes easily, they have done for god knows how many years up until recent seasons, I for one would sooner have 2 props, a back rower and a back on the bench rather than play 2 hookers of the same style. It makes much more sense to me to cover more postions, rather than have 2 players who play the same way interchanging for no reason.

Millward has always been a fan of utility players (as well as just being a fan of Higham) - Higham has played Scrum Half (and I think Godwin has too?) and so you have a utility player on the bench who can cover more than one position - you could potentially even subsitute one of the 3/4s for a rest or treatment.

Obviously this makes less sense if Brown is also on the bench...

I presume that Millward wants players that can cover more than one position - as he is limited to how many players he can have due to the 20/20. I think that both Godwin and Higham are decent players - although they do have a similar style.

Whether this system will work or not will be an interesting topic once the season starts!

[jinkin jimmy]

ChrisA posted:

SiY posted:
Saints played with two hookers? Was that when IM was there? If so that solves the debate about two hookers. I think having two hookers is a good idea. You have one hooker's style of play, his speed, his tackling ability, passing and everything else. The opposition team gets used to that then you through in a new player same position but different and is not tired. This can throw the defense off. It happened this season Newton would come off and Godwin would go on and he would instantly make a break and create some good flowing play.

Just when the other team gets used to the play...you flip everything on its head.

We all understand the thinking behind it, its just why would he play 2 hookers of the same style ?. That was my point, nobody has really answered it though as yet. Hooker isnt like prop were you get tired out, hookers used to play the full 80 up until a few years ago and everyone began to copy the Aussies and using Craig Wing as an impact player.
Hookers can last 80 minutes easily, they have done for god knows how many years up until recent seasons, I for one would sooner have 2 props, a back rower and a back on the bench rather than play 2 hookers of the same style. It makes much more sense to me to cover more postions, rather than have 2 players who play the same way interchanging for no reason.

Totally agree. The 2 hookers thing was IMO merely a passing fad. By far the best bench is 2 props, a 2nd rower and a back.

[Fraggle]

Louise posted:
Newton played back row last season.Newton is stronger,he's an 80min player

Don't you mean 70 minutes, taking 10 off for the sin bin?

Seriously though, Newton hasn't really played 80 minutes for quite a while, between Godwin and previously Mark Smith we've been rotating the hookers for a few seasons now. I've never seen Newton play back row, but he's filled in at prop on occasions, but then half the Wigan team have played prop at some point in the last couple of years...

[thegimble]

Fraggle posted:

Louise posted:
Newton played back row last season.Newton is stronger,he's an 80min player

Don't you mean 70 minutes, taking 10 off for the sin bin?

Seriously though, Newton hasn't really played 80 minutes for quite a while, between Godwin and previously Mark Smith we've been rotating the hookers for a few seasons now. I've never seen Newton play back row, but he's filled in at prop on occasions, but then half the Wigan team have played prop at some point in the last couple of years...

Fair point Newton is a 80 minutes player. Thats all he might play if he gets sent off.

There is no doubting Newton's ability but he does bottle the big occasions. Godwin overall last season was more effective for us. Granted Terry was injured but when is he not.

[- psycho -]

personally i dont think terry is fit enough to play the full 80. yea he is a decent build but compare him to players like godwin and higham who are fitter and more than willing to just stay out or 80

[thegimble]

pie eaters posted:
I dont think newton bottles it

Hes played 4 GF and lost in all of them. And in none of them did he even play well. Maybe hes been unlucky but look at Higham's record in finals.

[ChrisA]

Schalk Brits... posted:
He'll pick both of them and although Higham will start more often than not Godwin will also start when both are fit.

Two main reasons;
1 Injury -Who plays DH if one gets injured-he wouldn't want to swap the halves as well.
2 In todays game DH is the most demanding position physically and mentally,defending in heavy traffic against the big boys combined with the need to follow play not only to 'just get there'but also to have the juice to remain a threat and take the best options-very difficult to do over 80mins.

If everyone is fit I dont think he will, I think the squad numbers given out are a good indication of his first 17. I dont agree that hooker in the modern game is the most demanding position, I'm not buying into that for a minute. Up until the last 2 or 3 seasons hookers have played the full 80 every week.
The Aussies started this off with Craig Wing and as usual we followed suit in the English game. If Fielden can play the full 80 minutes in an international like he did in the Tri-Nations, then a hooker can easily last the full 80 and be effective throughout.
It really is a fad this whole 2 hooker scenario. I think if you have a good hooker who is fully fit you are better off using your bench alot more wisely and covering other positions.
Playing 2 hookers who play practically the same way is a complete waste of a space on the bench. You need 2 props(these guys do work hard), a back rower and a back ideally in my oppinion.

[superleague]

when i used to play i played hooker and prop a couple of times (normally second row) and they are as tough as each other IMO.

[ChrisA]

I've played them all and never found hooker to be anywhere near as demanding as prop.

[mr g]

thegimble posted:

pie eaters posted:
I dont think newton bottles it

Hes played 4 GF and lost in all of them. And in none of them did he even play well. Maybe hes been unlucky but look at Higham's record in finals.

I think thats a bit harsh, i'm pretty sure that if Newton would have played well his team would have still lost. Especially the two against Bradford.