Quote: SmokeyTA "Form needs to last longer than a couple of months. Shaul and Russell have been far inferior to Hardaker and Tomkins for 3 or 4 years, thats not over-written in 3 months.
The fact is, yes we should have players ready to take Hardaker/Tomkins spot if they are injured or lose form. We should have someone ready to take Watkins spot if he never gets going this season. The problem is that Shaul and Russell arent very good and we have a huge dearth in quality centres throughout this country. Replacing an international quality player who is out of form, with a player who isnt international quality isnt going to get results. What we need are more international players
That means fullbacks who are more than just fast, centres who arent repurposed second rowers, halves who are more than small guys who can't tackle and hookers who arent failed halves. Those are development issues, not selection issues.'"
You make some good points there Smokey. I've noticed in our game that there's a lot of versatility with players being utilized in Two or more positions. Ben Currie is a Prime Example of versatility who's worthy of recognition, Second Row, Centre, and Loose Forward, only I feel he's only chance of a call-up might in the Centres which is his Secondry role,which is a typical example of what you're implying.