He also made McGuire's in a way that not many others, if any, could replicate. He is devastating and at his best jumping out of dummy half. He simply HAS to feature in the 17 as one of the [ifirst[/i names on the team sheet, but where ??

For me, playing the traditional hooker alongside Burrow, who is free to jump into dummy half as much as he likes works best. I think the last time this option was implemented was in the WCC ?? And before that, the 2011 GF run in ?? Hmmmm

There are two major aspects to a player's game. It's a little disingenuous to only focus on one of those which there is an ovious danger to do when Burrow starts as hooker.

?

Are you referring to Burrow's defence? has there been any problems with that at all. The major problem is the coaches scheme which has to accommodate Sinfield, Burrow and Mcguire out wide in the centre positions.

These days, of those three, Sinfield appears to be the weakest defender in that position, by some margin.

Is it disingenuous to talk about what an exciting talent Tomkins is without also mentioning his frailties as a specialist full back?

very true. but never a hooker in a million years

He may not tick all the boxes of a traditional 9, but he's put in some match winning displays playing there for a couple of years now.

It depends what you want a hooker to do. If my hooker can create breaks like those he set up for Watkins in the 1st half Saturday or teh one he created in last year's GF then I am happy.

That said, I'd still rather have him at 7.

I don't believe the question is do you play him at 9, more do you START with him at 9. Individually Burrow can do stuff that Lunt or probably any hooker could never do but on the flip side a more traditional hooker would surely help guide the pack around the field better. So do you go for individual brilliance or a guy who helps others play better?
Still think starting with a proper number 9 whether it be McShane, Lunt, Hood or some new signing is the way to go to help the forwards build a platform and THEN introduce Burrow off the bench.

For the first he gave the ball to Watkins, who did the rest before slipping a (albeit forward looking) pass back inside for Burrow to finish.

You'll have to remind me what part Burrow played in releasing Watkins for the hookers second try just before the break as the fella that did was covered in tattoos and I'm not sure Rob rocks that look.

You see what Lunt did Friday to release Ward for Leeds' opening score?



Are you saying Lunt can't back up down the middle and finish off good approach work?