Quote: Ruddy Duck "Hastings has gone to number 9 in every game when Leuluai or Powell has gone off and Smith has been introduced.
As far as I am concerned, the time has come for Leuluai to be on the subs bench as substitution cover for the half backs and hooker and our starting halfbacks should be Hastings at Stand Off with Smith at Scrum Half. The more game time that Smith plays will be better for the future as he will get more experience than what is is getting at present by only coming on late in a game.
The cup tie against Leeds started to change when Smith with his kicking game was introduced, but by then, we had already lost!
Wigan should show the same confidence in Harry Smith as Castleford did with Jake Truman and Leeds did a few seasons ago with Rob Burrow.'"
Agreed mate. For me Leuluai has been poor for weeks now and his kicking game in particular is a real issue with Hastings at 6, who is playing out of his skin and offering a lot more than Tommy. I’ve also been disappointed in a lot of Leuluai’s decision making and defensive misses which is a surprise.
I do like Hastings’ zip at 9 when he goes there but we would probably get that from Tommy if we used him as an impact hooker for 20 mins a game.
I also think Harry Smith’s defence has improved massively since earlier in the season and not really a concern now. It was shocking when we lost at Cas in Feb/March but he’s been fantastic in defence in the last few weeks.
