I've said for long time now, Gaskell would be the first halfback on the team sheet if I was picking the side. He's a natural stand off and natural kicker which lomax and lance ain't.

Be intresting to see what Royce does in two weeks is he going to start the season without a kicking in the team which I think he will but like Pete if I was picking the team gaskell would been in the halfs before anyone

I think it might take some time this season for Royce to know what his best team will be.

Many of the players are of similar quality/standard and that makes it more challenging to pick whose the best for that position. I'm not saying they are of a poor standard, not at all but there are several who are difficult to pick between.

There will be some dillemas in the half back positions if everyone including Gary Wheeler stays fit for most of the season.

Although I like Lance Hohaia and he showed some nice touches with the ball, as other posters said the game turned when Lee Gaskell came on. We looked so much more better balanced with Gaskell on the pitch and with a transformed kicking game. Up to that point our kicking game had been absolutely woeful irrespective of the wind direction. It was dire in the second half until Gaskell came on and showed them how to do it.

I'm not convinced that Lomax and Hohiah will be the best combination at half back particularly at the sacrifice of a non existent kicking game. Whilst both players are certainly good the real issue is getting the best balance right.

I agree entirely. We were a different team with Gaskell on.

It has to be Gaskell alongside either Hohaia or J-Lo for me, with the other either on the bench (how exciting would that be as an interchange?)

With LH and JL on at the same time, we had little structure. Both great players, but don't complement each other due to being so similar in style.

I reckon the situation with these 3 will sort itself out. Can,t see these 3 being injury free or on top form all season, so Royce will play his cards with what will be the best option.
If Gaskell develops his game even more and Lance settles in quickly into the team, it's possible Lomax could be the bench player, nice situation to be in if all three are available.

Sounds like Lance himself knows he's not up to Gaskell or Lomax. Before he came over his interview responses were all about playing as the regular half back. Now they're all about how happy he is to play utility...

I feel a bit sorry for Hohaia actually. If he did indeed think he was coming over here to play in the halves and if he has subsequently found out that maybe that won't be happening then it must be tough on him.

How can you feel sorry for him it's up to him to prove he is a better half back then lomax and gaskell if he is performing then he will play in the halfs

That's rugby, yo could say you feel sorry for Gaskell when he didn't get the 6 jersey as its obvious Royce thinks lomax and lance are/was the halfbacks.

Lance is a good player and he will take the fullback spot this year.

I,m sure Lance will be a great asset for us this season. Personally I wouldn't pre judge him on the basis of one friendly game, he,s got to settle in and learn the set plays and understand the other players attributes.
Would like to see Nathan Ashe get more games at full back this season and I still reckon Makinson final position will be centre when Meli goes offski.

Everyone is forgetting the overseas first season curse. Lance will probably get injured and we won't see him again until next season!!

Stop it, you might jinx it and it might not happen now.

We're better with Gaskell on - full stop.

Throughout the first half, Widnes were consistantantly starting their sets on the 40 metre line. Without Gaskell's kicking game to find the ground between winger and fullback, we're automatically handicapped in the territory game.

Lance looked a handful, but he looked dodgy taking those kickoffs, so I don't think full back is a great shout for him. For me, you have to get Gaskell on the pitch and we'd be mad to consider dropping Lomax. I think Lance should be looking at the role Moore played for us, coming off the bench to add energy and take pressure of Robes.

I though Perry was awesome, Laffranchi came into the game a bit towards the end, and am I right in that we only saw Flanaghan for the first 20?

There were some pretty competant games from the like of Makinson, foster looks like his got a bit of extra meat on him, Dixon scored a wonderful try, Sia came up with some big plays but I think a couple of missess too (was it him that missed Hanbury for the try?).

It was a bit you score, we score, like friendlies can be, but it was nice to have a sit in the new place and watch the game.