SaintsFan isn't the only person to push Hohaia as a fullback because he was part of a World Cup winning side in that position. I'd hope these same people don't think Anthony Stewart is a better winger than Tom Van Vollenhoven because he was on the wing when we won a World Club Challenge.

Sorry to be a bore but that isnt strictly true - my memory is that there was Brent Webb and Lance Hohaia who were the only players with any kind of experience at Full Back - I cannot remember why webb wasnt chosen (I think it was either Injury or the fact he played in the UK) but it didnt leave a lot of choice to pick from.

What the Kiwis had was a pack that were fed on raw meat for a week before the game and smashed the Ozzy pack - plus a master stroke of playing Thomas Leuluai at hooker with Isaac Luke as backup (Hooker has historically always been the Kiwis weak spot but this turned it around for them) to allow Benji Marshall to play his best game at international level that I can recall. Remember that earlier in the tournament the Kiwis were battered by Australia 30 - 6 with a team that didnt have those changes in it.

I'm not saying it is. You said that Wello had never done it against the Aussies. I was just pointing out that he was part of a full strength GB team who beat Australia in their own back yard. In their prime. He scored a try in the process and was excellent all game. As excellent as Hohaia was 4 years ago when he was full back for NZ against Australia in the World cup final. Neither of these games has any significance whatsoever as to who should be playing full back for Saints now though and to keep shaking the "world cup winning fullback" stick is pointless in 2012.



Not often no. It doesn't automatically qualify him to be the best option at full back for Saints, 2 knee operations and 4 years later though.

The point I made about Anthony Stewart was to say that a team can win anything even with an average player in their side. Who did Spain have up front when they clinched the European Championship this year? The most ridiculed striker in World football, Fernando Torres. Ricky Bibey won Challenge cup medals with Wigan and Saints, likewise Steve Hall won every domestic medal available with Saints.

IF we had to move Wello from full back, and I'm not advocating that we should just stick with Wello if something better comes along, then I'd rather Lee Gaskell played there. I'd love to see him hitting the line with his rangey running style. Think he'd be a revelation there if he was up to the defensive aspect of the job.

Hohaia would be no upgrade on Wellens. I'm sure he's better than Wello at the odd thing a full back would do but overall Wellens is still a much better option. Trying to shoehorn Hohaia into a role because he isn't cutting the mustard in the role he was signed to play isn't particularly fair on Wello.

I know Wello has his limitations. There are other options at Saints as well to replace him in Gaskell, Swift and Makinson. Hohaia wouldn't even be in my thinking.