So half-backs even when split like at Wigan never combine or pass to each other or play off each other? They never communicate or ever operate off each other? really? I find it hard to believe that even in a structured game plan they always are at opposite sides of the pitch. It may not be a combination like it used to be many years ago but they still have to link with each other and there still has to be leadership from the halves.

Richardson is the form half so far this season (in a very good team) but how many really top pressure games (play-offs, semi-finals, fianls etc) has he played in - he is still learning and for me rather than put him under pressure at international level I think it is better for him to continue to develop at club level and if he can show that he can play under pressure in big games then call him up by all means. If the international was in this country then maybe he could be in the squad for "the experience" as it is often called but flying all the way to the US not to play would be pointless - I think this international is a bit too soon for him, looking forward he may well become an international player but why rush him at this stage when he hasn't played that many SL games yet.

No, halves don't play together at all. It's the same as thinking centres play in the centre of the pitch cos they're called centres. One controls the left, one controls the right. the 13 is the link. FB has freedom to link either side. halfback combinations aren't there.

So you don't want Richardson to gain have experience because he has no experience? Catch 22 for the lad.

Sadly it's not as black and white as that as you can still have a pairing i.e one can control the majority of the tactical kicking. That makes them a partnership in the sense your pairing up different skill sets.

Not rocket science to think that if they brought more of an organising 7 in, then it would have an impact on Williams performances.

No, but he'd probably go for a Deacon style type halfback.

It's not far as that black and white, yes one can take the primary in the kicking responsibly on the 5th, but that's really about it. One controls the left, one controls the right.

I would put myself as a Williams fan but his inconsistent performances for the best part of a season and a half are disappointing to say the least. Maybe I expected too much of him, maybe he has "peaked" or hopefully its just a temporary blip but a temporary blip of season and a half is stretching it a bit.

His decision making at times is pretty woeful but on many occasions I attribute that to lack of options which I think is a consequence of our overly structured approach and predetermined tactics which rarely if ever change.
The structure is only going to change with a new coach but Williams should be improving other aspects of his game as a natural progression of a comparatively highly paid half back. His kicking game is awful and hasn't progressed one iota in seasons. For me this is where a good coaching outfit and a player determined to improve his game should be putting lots of effort in i.e. areas of his that is particularly weak not wrestling or improving his "D".
It isn't surprising that some fans get frustrated with Williams as he is one our better paid players and quite rightly expectations of his performance to improve and dare I say it justify his pay will grow. In industry if a guy gets promoted with a hefty pay increase and he doesn't hack it then management will look to replace him with a better proposition as soon as they can. I don't see why RL shouldn't operate in the same manner.

I think with a new coach with new ideas Williams will kick on again. He has good work ethic on the park, decent pace and isn't frightened of the physical stuff. A break for a few weeks may not be a bad thing for him at the moment.

Genuine question, who are our halves/back coaches?

Williams is a very off the cuff player being asked to play in a very structured attack. At somewhere like Leeds or Wire where they create more space he would thrive.

Perhaps as a FB? just thinking about what position offers most attacking freedom in the modern game.

No catch 22 at all - he has what ..half a season or so of regular first team games so far, there will be tougher tests for him soon - CC semi-final and maybe final , play off games and even possibly a grand final - all higher pressure games those will be good experience and if he shows up well there then he might be in the frame for international call up. Or should he be dropped straight into a test against a good team like NZ to sink or swim, and should it be the case that every time any player shows good form in SL they are immediately pushed into the test team? I think he is showing up very well at the moment (in a dominant team) but I would like to see how he goes in higher level SL games before considering him to be ready for international call up. Many young players have burst onto the scene and started well only to fade away - I doubt that will happen here but too much pressure too soon might not help. That is my opinion and I would say the same for any player in a similar position.

Clause 5.14 b) of the 2018 salary cap rules states "A Marquee Player is a Player whose salary cap value would be (but for the provision of this clause 5.14) £175,000 or more." Which means Williams is on at least £175K. He can't be on any less because if the club paid him (say) £125K his salary cap value would be £125K and too low to qualify for marquee status.

Roberts at £150K or Williams at £175K? (plus probably...)




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Take a look at some of the younger players in the NRL, have a look at how they pick on form, allow them the opportunity to gain experience playing for their national team or origin outfit.
I don't know how anyone can deny someone experience then argue they don't have enough experience to play. In Richardson you have a player who's the stand out half, toured Australia with Saints Academy in 2013, was part of their unbeaten academy side.

How would we deal with players who are outstanding who play for weaker sides? who gain very little big game experience? If he's good enough he should go. The experience would do him well, integrate him into a national side which would benefit from more depth in the halves.