Hardaker looked far more comfortable on the right. Would swopping the centres be to simple?

Hardaker is deceptively strong. Just watched the game back and his effort to hold wood up in goal was brilliant

Yes, it's terrible when you've got such a big reputation that four defenders rush over to cover you and you have to pass it inside for a walk-in for your teammate. Hardaker is doing fine, by the way.

Rather harsh opinion on Hardaker.

Defensively, he's doing fine covering for Ryan Hall OBC's positional deficiencies in that area.

I have been critical of his passing, it is the area of his game that needs the most work. However it will develop and until then we will have to and so far have found other ways to get Hall accross the whitewash

There were a couple of occasions last night where I thought the pass to Hall would have been the better option but Hardaker is relatively new to the centre position and his decision making will improve with time.

If we're still having this debate this time next year then I'll be concerned but until then I'll give the kid a break.

I'm sure its being worked on. If anything, for a young (British) centre, Watkins stands out because there has never been any question about his desire or ability to get the ball to the wing. It will take Hardaker a while to get there, because his natural inclination seems to be to run with a view to gaining yards/making a break rather than set up his wing.

Perhaps we are too critical. Having a good young british is a rarity these days. And we have two!

Never mind the young bit, having a good British centre is a rarity these days, and we have two.

How on earth people can complain about Hardaker is beyond me, the guy looks a natural in the left centre position. The partnership with Hall IMO will develop, but as a partnership they are doing pretty good together already.

IMO we currently have the best two British centres around.

It makes one wonder if the WBW will achieve cult status like TMFMISL or will they both end up FIOS

I notice no-one made this observation last week when Hall, with Zak inside him, ran in three tries against Hazard County.

As for Watkins (selected for the international squad), it was great to see him own Ryan Atkins (only selected for another go at the Toby roast counter) on Friday evening.

A bit like whoever is playing inside Joss Charnley? maybe there is a correlation between tries scored and defensive lapses?

Oh, I'm glad you worked out what Ryan Hall OBC meant.

He's adjusting to the new position and doing an superb job IMO. Yes we want him to develop the ability to use quick hands to get the ball to the wing, but FFS give him a break. He has the talent and the handling ability to develop these skills, which could lead to him becoming a very good centre for years to come.

Absolutely....

I've stated elsewhere (as long as they stay injury free) this largely young element to the 2012 team can only get better as the season progresses. In conjunction with the revitalised Burrow, back to his best McGuire (and Webb) and real competition in the forwards I can only be optimistic at the moment.