McIlorum's Interchange.

[Wiganer Ted]

Micky's interchange has caused fans worry for some time as we appear to lose intensity and often the initiative in a game when he's replaced.

Up to now he's been interchanged by a half back or Logan who's no bigger than a half back. Whether this is due to the old saying that "The modern day hooker is a half back" I don't know but we do appear to have bought into it.
In most cases however opposition team's hookers are forwards more than half backs. They are bigger and more powerful than half backs.
Wire up next and both their 9s are hooker forwards, no way are they half backs. Saints have Roby who's certainly a forward. Leeds have Aiton a real 9 and their intensity falls off a cliff when he's replaced by Burrow.

I think we need to look again at who interchanges with Micky. We need IMO to look at a forward who can play the dummy half position and provide the power and aggression Micky does.
My preference would be for John Bateman. A real forward who could get stuck in with the type of game Micky plays. If JB was interchanged with Micky there'd be no drop in intensity or initiative either. He has good hands, quick feet and can spot a likely gap before it happens.
He could either be started then shift to 9 when Micky goes off, that way he won't have to pick up the pace of the game. Or he could be played from the bench but then he'd have to pick up the pace of the game.
With JB to interchage we would have a four forward bench.

There are a few matches left before the switch to the top eight. Now would be a good time to trial it.
I think we really do have to look again at who interchages with Micky. I think playing a half back has run its course and we need to put a forward in there.

[markill]

The answer is simple, interchange McLlorum with Williams who I see as a hooker rather than a stand off.

Rocky and Hampshire in the halves with Tomkins back up hooker when injurys dictate.

I know he's highly rated on here, but playing both half back positions is a stretch even for his biggest fans!

[cpwigan]

Mac is currently THE ONLY player from the key players whose game is where it needs to be. Which does beg the question if so do we need him for the 80 minutes or would playing the 80 see his game suffer.

[josie andrews]

Think the Bateman argument is a good shout Ted ????????

[Smokie Jim]

The answer is simple, interchange McLlorum with Williams who I see as a hooker rather than a stand off.

Rocky and Hampshire in the halves with Tomkins back up hooker when injurys dictate.

I agree with Williams can provide the intensity Ted refers to and more importantly the go forward quick distribution and. He has a deft kicking game.

[nathan_rugby]

How many times has anybody seen Bateman playing hooker?

Case dismissed, absolutely ludacris idea. You cannot just pick and chose players into positions, nevermind a specialist one such as hooker by selecting a couple of his attributes and saying how he will be good there.

Beginning to think that some people on this forum really do not understand Rugby which probably comes down to the fact of only ever watching it rathe rather than playing it.

[Fujiman]

How many times has anybody seen Bateman playing hooker?

Case dismissed, absolutely ludacris idea. You cannot just pick and chose players into positions, nevermind a specialist one such as hooker by selecting a couple of his attributes and saying how he will be good there.

Beginning to think that some people on this forum really do not understand Rugby which probably comes down to the fact of only ever watching it rathe rather than playing it.

This comes across as rather patronising TBH.I've never played but do enjoy watching so fall into the "do not understand category".

[Wintergreen]

How many times has anybody seen Bateman playing hooker?

Case dismissed, absolutely ludacris idea. You cannot just pick and chose players into positions, nevermind a specialist one such as hooker by selecting a couple of his attributes and saying how he will be good there.

Beginning to think that some people on this forum really do not understand Rugby which probably comes down to the fact of only ever watching it rathe rather than playing it.

Of course you are right in one respect.

However, the drift to a "ubiqutious" size and shape of an RL player is quite interesting. (or more accurately 2 or 3 at most).

It's not beyond the realms of possibility for the same player to play

Full Back
Winger
Centre
Second Row
Loose Forward


Or another to play

Stand Off
Scrum Half
Hooker


Which really leaves the Props, and again no-one would bat an eyelid at a second row or loose forward filling in.

[Owd Codger]

How many times has anybody seen Bateman playing hooker?

Case dismissed, absolutely ludacris idea. You cannot just pick and chose players into positions, nevermind a specialist one such as hooker by selecting a couple of his attributes and saying how he will be good there.

Beginning to think that some people on this forum really do not understand Rugby which probably comes down to the fact of only ever watching it rathe rather than playing it.

As bad as playing Williams at Stand off maybe?

[bomhead]

The answer is simple, interchange McLlorum with Williams who I see as a hooker rather than a stand off.

Rocky and Hampshire in the halves with Tomkins back up hooker when injurys dictate.

I agree with you George is a better dummy half _ rockys playing 6 & 7 hahahaha - sorry