THE McILLORUM COINCIDENCE could be the title of Robert Ludlum's next bestseller.

Thing is, we're pretty much awash with backrowers, even with Hoffman going - so where would he get a shout here? Tend to agree that the problem is Tommy going off - he'd be missed whoever came on for him. Been one of our most consistent players for years now, and for me it gives other teams a lift when we take a player of his calibre off.

He has nothing to his game that would improve our backrow.

Did you hear the speech by IL at the home coming today? Said why he wasn't on sooner and explained the reasons behind the subs and the times in the second half.

booooooring...

out of interest what were the reasons given for keeping TL off for so long?

He said MM had to hold Tommy back for longer as he only had 4 subs left (think he said 4) He had injuries to Lockers, Mossop and Josh. He couldn't risk running out of interchanges if any more came up. Also said he had to hold his nerve with them for as long as possible and that it paid off. Makes you wonder if there was any more carrying knocks.

I was another screaming for lulu to come back on as we had lost a bit of impetus around the ruck but I dont think this is just down to micky mac, who is IMO a good player deservedly in the 17, but when lulu is playing well, which he was, we should give him longer on the pitch as he has the greater influence on the speed we play at, which worries the opposition.
Tommy is just a great player and anyone would find it hard to replace him and play as well as him.

Completely agree! During the game we were all screaming for Tommy to come back on! I believe I'm right in saying that With MM on the field we didn't score one try. With Tommy on the pitch we conceded only one of the tries, the final Ablett one.
With people saying that this is just a "coincidence" and other interchanges need to be looked at .. It's not just any interchange, the hooker position is crucial as they're your direction and structure in setting up play and a huge character in the defensive line. If MM is leaking tries and not putting any on the board it is completely the opposite to what is the basics of the hooking role.

Can't believe people are trying to blame McIlorum for Hoffman, Richards and Lima knocking on in our own half. That is the root cause of our poor performance in the 2nd half, giving away possession and territory and asking ourselves to do too much defensive work in our own 20

Exactly, but you won't convince the witch-hunters of that. Pryce has gone; new scapegoat needed.

The point is thay when we did have possession before anyone had knocked on we werent making much/any impact