We can't have world class players in every position... People really need to smell the coffee!!

McIlorum wasn't that bad. As Newton Warrior said he came on when Sam and Deacon went off and the team had been looking quite tired right from the start. He played fairly well and also made a try saving tackle.

We're just getting the same scapegoats after every game now. The whole team was off the pace and all you get is "Joel's not a centre" "McIlorum's not a hooker" "Deacon cant defend"

The fact is the whole team was off the pace tonight after a tough game last weekend. We've now got a week to get things right for the semi. It wasnt pretty but we showed, as we have at other times this season, that we can not play well and still come away with 2 points. I'll definitely take that at the KC which is never an easy place to go. Champion qualities.

Not saying we can but I really think he needs to work on his attack big time. He needs to offer more. Hooker has become probably the most important position on the field, the best teams have great hookers. McIlorum needs some work. I still see huge potential in him though.

He did well tonight.

Caused problems when running the ball and rattled a few in defence. Same old game from him really and yes he isn't going to run a game but that's not his game.

Tommy should be playing more minutes IMO allowing Micky Mac to just blitz some tired bodies for 20-25 mins.

I also think that despite the wraps in defence this is also an issue. One on one he is eye catching. But it is also no coincide that the inside push drops off when he is on the field.

The slide defence drops pace due to a lack of push from the middle, his best spell for me was when he played as a second row.

Houghton showed how a good young hooker should play. Ran the show for Hull.

Agreed.

I tend to agree with what Jonh says, he talks a great deal of sense and knows his rugby but I'm afraid on MM I'll have to differ. It would be great to have another genuinely world class hooker but in the SC era you have to have the odd hardworking if slightly limited player in the side and we could do a lot worse than MM.

I do not think you need a world class second hooker, an effective one would be a start.

It would be very interesting to see our points for and against with him on the field. I would wager with him on the field we score far less and concede far more.

He reminds me a little of Adrian Vowles, very eye catching at times but in truth fairly limited.

I agree with eveything you're saying on this issue jonh!

Thing is though, he will have the odd good game like he did in the grand final and everyone will forget the 20 average games he has.

If he was an aussie we would have the usual suspects on here screaming to 'bring in the kids' and get rid!

He was solid in defence and thats what type of game it was . A arm wrestle in the end , deacs injured , Sam injured , finch injured before game . It all played it's part . Oh and Hansen was defo missed tonight , thought faz had a shocker

There is more to defence than making the tackle and i think that is where he struggles, his ability to read the game and communicate really lets him down in my opinion.

In a dream world maybe. Let us know when you find a world class hooker that doesn't mind playing 30 minutes a match at most.

edit: Failed at reading. It's late, forgive me.

Just watched the game again, with particular attention to MM. Would you have him in your team?? I definitely would. To say he's a weak link or something is rubbish. He plays the modern day hooker role perfectly. Maybe not as quick on his feet or his thinking as Roby or Tommy but miles better than Higham or Clarke. Try and remember what Tommy was like when he first signed, a good player with potential but prone to mistakes. MM in my opinion is the same, good player with potential to get even better.

Leave the lad alone.

Completely agree.