Quote: ThePrinter "Like SmokeyTA is getting at with his point, injuries need to be taken into account. Because of that you really do need to have a hooker/HB on your bench otherwise if your hooker limps off after 10 mins you can be screwed.
You'd just have to do it almost like RU, sub your hooker off after 50-60 mins and then he's done and doesn't come back on. Risky especially for the likes of a St Helens who wouldn't want the likes of Roby off the pitch at the end of a match but each club will have different views on that.'"
It's a big risk to have a specialist on the bench just in case someone gets hurt, particularly if you're not going to use them otherwise.
Maybe McDermott's use of just 3 of his 4 replacements was actually a genius piece of preparation for these changes and getting the players used to having to do longer minutes?
