Basically you have come up with the same thought process as me. This season Hicks has been better on the wing particularly with his size & apart from a couple of dropped balls I think he has been ok

Well played by Riley today. Good one on one tackle near end to deny a try.

Thought like a lot of players he had a good game

Outstanding one on one head on tackle to save a try, Linked into the line a lot and took the ball up well. Got penalised for pushing a player off our player when we made a break which was a bit harsh. Made a lot of metres. Very good performance.

Very glad that TS seen the error of his ways and reverted back to playing Riley at Full-Back.
Solid performance, missed a few 1-1's but overall, good positioning and good kick return.

Not against azue though.

Anyone Know the reason behind Riley Kicking off today?

Somebody called him a ginger?

Common in many teams. Lets the other players focus and maintain a line formation from the kick off.

Or, why not.

Because he made a complete mess of the last one, despite his only assignment being to get the ball in play.

ONE mistake in 80 minutes. Overall i thought he had a good game.

Because no player has ever kicked the ball out on full...

Sheesh

It wasn't a criticism just couldn't understand why when we had Briers, Hicks and Clarke out on the field

Indeed, that's exactly what I just said.

Kicking the ball out on the full is unforgivable, especially when you don't need to score/get the ball back.

Probably a Smith driven change. As soon as the ball leaves his toe he's in position & the line chases as a unit.

Good to see a straight line 10m back ready to fly past the kicker.

Exactly my thoughts....noticed Riley practice one before the start today. Inch perfect BTW

Aye send him out to Dewsbury. Who else made a mistake yesterday?

His first restart was inch perfect

the following full backs are not just better than Riley, but significantly better:
Webb
Wellans
Greenshields
Briscoe
Duggan
Richards

are we prepared for 7th best??????? g
Got to have players in the top 4 in any position to challenge for a cup/top League spot.

It’s a tactic a few teams are now using i.e full back takes the kick offs.

Leaves 12 players for the kick chase instead of 11, as the full back would not normally join the kick chase as it would leave him out of position..

You can add Brett Hodgson to that list.

Significantly more experienced too. I will admit I cande him after his performances against Wakefield and Caltalans, as long as he is consistent and doesn't go from one extreme to another, that is all you can ask.

Let him grow into the role. You can't just buy ready made players.

I don't think there are many fullbacks in the world that could have stopped a charging Azue from 5 yards out!..something of a mis-match

Incidentally Azue should have been tackled long before he even got to Riley.

My first two main criteria when looking at fullbacks is - they can take a high bomb under pressure and that they are a strong one on one tackler. If a player isn't strong in both those areas i'm not keen on them playing in that position.