last season he played best at 1st and 2nd receiver he barley ever took it at 3rd receiver. he is much better at creating space and stepping rather than chiming in the line.

whats the difference?

a 3rd pivot is a sam tomkins role
1st pivot is a matty smith role

he isn't the quickest anymore and some times it seems he is struggling to get round and pop up on the outside of the defender. He is much better at dragging defenders to him and creating space around him it just gives him more time on the ball.

He made Ade Gardner look like a donkey in the Derby tonight though.

he did

I actually felt sorry for Gardner. He is one of those players with too much heart.

Every time he took it up he got absolutely spannered but he kept going back for more.

As for Bowen's lack of pace, Burgess struggled to keep up with him until they both got in full flight. His acceleration is still very impressive.

I enjoyed Bowen's try tonight and I thought he played quite well generally. Very safe fielding kicks but I still don't think he has sussed out his role.

Maybe Wane needs to take advantage of what Bowen can do rather than try and turn him into Sam T MkII

What can Bowen do that Sam could not or vise versa?

I am not sure why vise versa is relevant as why do we care if Sam plays like Bowen? It's not really what either of them can do anyway but how they are told to play. To me Bowen looks rather regimented in his play as if he is under orders to join the line when expected and so in the meantime doesn't try any off the cuff stuff.

I am not suggesting it is as bad as it was when Noble virtually nullified Trent Barrett's creativity but I think Bowen would enjoy coming in from deeper rather than just being the extra man. Things like that.

Bowen has had a lot of slagging off which I think is unfair. I was not in favour of his signing given his age and knees but said often enough he had been a quality player and now he is here I'd love it if he turned out to be like Gene Miles.

it would be nice if the half backs could run the length of the pitch but they can't, thats been left to Sam & Ben. Most defending teams line up the fullbacks but a fast half back would be a good foil. Bowen is a master at ghosting into 2nd receiver and throwing a money ball (due to Thurstons class and unpredictabilty, whereas we have Smith playing Wanes predictable set moves) Give it time & remember this fella is used to playing in Queensland where it is very hot. He has a lot to adjust to

To me the biggest issue is the lack of communication in defence. In Tomkins he would never shut up and was always screaming at the line telling them where they needed to be, in the first half I didnt see any of that and the overlaps KR got showed this. In the 2nd half he seemed to be directing a bit (maybe had a word of wane) but still not enough for a fullback...

Pace can be looked at in all sorts of ways, when Bowen set off Burgess was probably a couple of yards behind but he slowly dragged him back and at the finish Burgess was jogging at the side of Bowen.
One example of this was a match at Warrington about 1984 (?), John Fergurson picked up a ball from acting halfback (as he used to do) and set off for the sticks 70 yards away, Brett Kenny went after him and he finished up strolling along at the side of Fergy for the last 15 yards. I am certain it is on utube somewhere and I know someone will find it.

Some players have absolutely blistering pace over 50 yards but over the longer distance they can fade, Burgess has that long raking stride which may take up to 20 yards to get going but after that watch him go.

The best I have seen over 50 yards was probably Alex Murphy, but once through he still took some catching.
As for the long distance men Joe Lydon and Stuart Wright, both long striding ,but once in top gear they took some catching. ( Charriots Offiiah I have left out because to me he was a sprinter born and bread who happened to make rather a good rugby player.

But one player who they say was the quickest of the lot over 40 yards was supposed to be Cesc Mountford they say he was lightening, I used to think that I saw him play for Wigan when I started watching Wigan in app 53/54 but checking Bilkos records he moved to the Wire about 52/53.

John Ferguson was possibly unique. If you check out any vids, you can see he was at top speed in one step. Quick off the mark. And to quote Ray French "[iHe could sidestep on a tanner[/i".

Another player we had, Jamie Ainscough, was quick, but only when he was in the mood. Remember this, still one of the best tries scored at the JJB/DW. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elE5GPdbCbQ

Another player we had, Jamie Ainscough, was quick, but only when he was in the mood. Remember this, still one of the best tries scored at the JJB/DW. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elE5GPdbCbQ