Louis Johnson certainly looked to be a dead cert for the first team when we bought him. Last year he started off with 3 games for Rochdale, but then came back and played out the year with the U19's. I guess the alarm bells should have been ringing at that point because if he was performing at a high standard then he should have made an early appearance in the first team, gone out to a struggling SL team, or at the very least remained in the Championship. FWIW whenever I saw him in the U19's he didn't look particularly special and only managed one try in his 20 games. This year he went to Widnes on loan for a month but only played 1 game. Since mid April he has been a regular for Rochdale - I have not seen him play though.

He certainly looks a fine athlete when he walks onto the pitch, and he did well to chase down Gildart in the game against Wigan, but if all aspects of his game were up to a high standard, then why has he not been given a chance of another game with the first team ? If a first year like Thewliss can be given a first team game at FB, then certainly Price could have easily made room for Johnson in the second row, a much easier position to hide a youngster.

So I suspect the answer is that Johnson has simply not done enough to warrant a game. And if we say he should be given a chance, we are betting our judgement against a professional RL coach who will have watched Johnson's performances and dissected his game. Not good odds surely ?

I'm with Winslade's never impressed at u19s level. What have others seen to make them think he deserves a chance for the first team bar one game off the bench at Wigan (he's never played as well as that for the u19s)?

That's a very good post mate, Never looked at it that way

I don't see what the stress is about.

Until this topic I haven't seen anybody say this season "we should drop Currie/Hughes and get that Luis Johnson in".

If he is going on loan to Hull KR presumably he will get first team action, if he starts tearing up SL then after his loan is up we can consider whether its time to try to phase out Currie/Hughes and put Johnson in.

I went the wire quiz and had Luis Johnson as our player on our team, he was a nice enough lad and said that he was told to wait for an injury and he would be in line to play but we havent had any second row injuries, read in to that as you will but surely you shouldnt just wait for an injury, you should be ripping up trees in training and forcing SP's hand to have to play you regardless

Well yes because competition is healthy...but it's also hard to change a winning team...even when Wire don't win...how can you leave out 2 England international backrowers?

same way you leave out, daryl clark, philbin etc, wasnt even getting a space when players have been rested which hughes has been rested and currie has etc and still not hit that spot

Perhaps..but then there's Westwood BMM Sita and Tasi.

He really needs a break..and he has a SL platform to show...he was particularly standout last night...unlike Livett..he looked another class above everyone but Abdul and Batty.

Only Currie has played for England.

Are you seriously suggesting Johnson "was particularly standout" the other night?

I don't know if that was a typo on RDs part but I.thought Johnson looked ok whereas Livett was very dangerous. He's an excellent, skilful ball player and should be in the 17 above BMM for a start.

No...it was a typo.
It makes sense with the word 'wasn't' in there.
Thanks for pointing that out

Yes this thanks.
A very obvious typo. Even I'm not that out of touch.

From watching Livett on Thursday he looked like he's spent the time out of the first team at Warrington getting tattoos rather than buckling down and working hard in training.

Not that bothered as I'd guess it'll be somebody else's problem next year. Reminds of Westerman.

Yeah Johnson did 2 or 3 solid hard runs but seemed to plod a long and walk everywhere the rest of the time. Was very lacklustre and he looks like he's put size on musclewise. I didn't realise how big he actually is, he was stood next to Mose masoe and he's as tall and broad as him just not as dense with muscle. Only one game though and we'll see him.again on Thursday. Definately thought Livett was one of KR's better players, was really impressive and was more effective in attack than i've seen Currie or Hughes this year, shake up in the team might be just what we need to up some players games.