Quote: Bilko "Personally I'm not disagreeing with much in those line ups except I think Gareth Hock will be a certain second row. Miles and miles ahead of Ben Westwood in my opinion.
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Westwood has been a little off form recently for me, but it depends what you are looking for in your second row as to whether Hock or Westwood is the better player.
Hock likes the ball, but doesn't get stuck in and do the defensive work, and IMO this cost him his place in the World Cup at Westwood's expense.
Westwood averages 29 tackles a game to Hock's 17.
Hock makes 15 carries per match to Westwood's 13.
Hock makes more breaks/busts etc and offloads more, but their metres made is almost identical.
I wouldn't swap Westwood for Hock, but that is generally because I prefer my 2nd rowers to have a very good defensive work ethic, which Hock just doesn't have.
Westwood is the safer option, but with Hock you have more chance of a game-breaking piece of skill.