With regards to being used as a battering ram, Cas seem to have the same concerns with Westerman. When we have Hall next season, as long as there are no injurues, I would like see Burgess have a whole season at LF, with occasional spells in SR. Burgess has too much ability and pace for prop.

I haven't rated Burgess that highly at loose forward, he doesn't seem to have the ability to move around quickly like a loose forward should. It's probably just because of the sheer size of the guy. I think we need to maximise the usage of his stature and abilities which are destructive and direct running, he's got to be on the flanks away from big forwards that can match him for size and strength. There arn't many second row forwards who are as big as Sam if he lined up against Tickle, Hansen, JJB, small forwards, they'd struggle to defend against him and he'd briush most off with ease. It's up to Macca to realise this though and play him in the second row, week in week out.

As long as sam's played either loose or SR i'm no too bothered as to exact position. I dont like it when we play him at prop as I feel he's wasted their. He generally seems to be more effective in SR/LF positions. Seems like england coach thinks so too. Sam can do a job at prop but he's better employed elsewhere.
I'd agree he's been a bit quiet last couple of games where hes played loose but its been against the top two teams in the league. I'd like to see him retain LF role for a couple more games against some slightly less gifted teams and see how he goes. If he stays quiet then Id shift menzies there, cant see any point putting langley at loose tbh.

There's a lot of Nail ont' head's on this board today.

I started this whole thing about Sam so i feel i should comment more.

What i saw in Sam Burgess last year, being a quality young forward who looked mean in defence and had a lot of flair and ability in attack hasn't come to fruition this year. He ambles about a lot and gets taken off after 20 mins because he's knackered.

If the same lad who was playing for us and GB...the one that hit Fui Fui Moi Moi into the following christmas...was playing on form we wouldnt be having this discussion.

However i started the thread because the way i see it, he's the worst forward in our pack at the minute. He does the least work and makes the most mistakes. Friday was a prime example. When he got taken off towards the end i dont think it was intended for him to come back on, however Whitehead seemed to take a knock and it was a necessity. On current form i'd drop/rest him and play a young lad. Look at Whitehead. Runs hard, tackles hard and has a lot of idea on the ball. Another one of them in second row for me.

So my issue is why is our "star man" of last season not performing this season and why is he also undroppable?

Sam's best position is and will always be prop. If sticks to play that role he can bring back in to our game the long lost art of a ball playing prop.

Agreed!! And he won't be at his best for another 7 or 8 years!! We can sit tight at hq!!

Disagree, he doesn't want to get involved in the hard graft so what's the point in playing him at prop? Prop may be a better position for him later on in his career as he slows down, matures and hardens up, but he hasn't got it in him at the moment to do the mixing in the middle of the park.

Spot on.

Can't see it being allowed to happen though.

Sammy @ prop = new Fielden?
Sammy @ LF = new Langley?

So why was he our top metre maker in the first half of the season when playing prop.

Because regardless of what position he's playing in when the teams under pressure they give the ball to Burgess on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd play the ball.