Its all very well saying you can let burrow defend out wide, but that means your halfback, who is already hiding out there, has to move one in and mark a 2nd row. Its also taking away the massive workrate in defence you tend to get from a hooker, which will save the energy of your big men.
I appreciate his qualities, but I do think in a test match, he'd be shown up.
*saying that, his best performances for Leeds seem to come in big games*

France probably wasn't the best way to showcase McIlorum's strengths. We didn't want to get sucked into any sort of fight. He may come into his own in a tough test against the Kiwis.
I don't particularly buy into the whole "he does all the little things well", theory. I think he's a pretty good hooker, but his service is no better than Roby's and his play selection doesn't seem as good. Added to that, he doesn't carry Roby's
threat.

Whilst people said that Lunt and Houghton were too similar to Roby, I think we'd have been better with two similar hookers sharing the load and staying fresh.

And can we please avoid any posts saying Roby is [ijust a scooter[/i. If you're under that impression, I suggest you have another look at him.

Is McNamara begining to make some correct selection decisions?
Chase was awful last Saturday and the McIlorum dummy half to Sinfield first receiver just doesn't work.
Best squad selection so far for our coach IMO.

That's the strongest squad named so far, but I find it baffling that the coach has decided to look at another half back combination when he's had games against Fiji, Ireland and possibly France to do this. With all the preparation that's gone in to building this squad, we shouldn't just be working out what our best side is in a WC semi final.

Hope Widdop plays out of his skin if he's selected to start.

Granted it's nit game time but they've been living in each others pockets, you'd think they have their combos and plays worked out now, I have faith that a player who regularly plays with 3 of the best players in the world week in week out will have no problem on Saturday.