From 50 metres out: Miller.

Doesn't Sam Williams kick goals?

Can't prove it, but I'd say he played Hooker more as a youngster along with L/F on occasions and in recent years has moved into the halves. I don't know his preferred position but you'd have to call him versatile. The hooking role for what it is these days is no stranger to him.

I personally believe in the universal pivot player these days rather than 6,7 and 9. Miller, Wood, Williams and Finn can all play all those positions IMHO, they differ only in attributes, pace, agility, game management, kicking etc. I wouldn't be surprised to see at least 3 out of this 4 play hooker at some point.

Yes an out and out 9 like Moore would be nice but we'll cope (even Moore started as a H/B if I recall).

Leeds did well with last season with make weight hookers !!!!! Imagine having a Brad Drew or a Terry Newton in our squad. When you think of them then look at Wood , Finn ans Sio you realize, unless you are Vastman, just how short we are in the hooking department, no matter how much Vasty tries to engender himself with the owners and coaching staff it is our Achilles heel. For me hooker is the most important position in the modern game. Again even with Vastys rose tinted`s on Wood Finn and Sio are not hookers. Its no ones fault but the idiot Scott Moron that we are in this position. O`Brian would be an excellent player for us, he agent would be foolish to accept a deal to Hull, if he came to Wakey he would be first choice and play every week if fit.

Do you ever bother to read anything or are you intent on playing the buffoon?

I clearly state it would be better if we had Scott Moore as hooker as he clearly showed that he could get us moving, what part of that didn't you get?

You'll also find that you're opinion is in the minority on this thread so where you get the idea from that you are somehow representative of the majority I don't know.

Belly the only people you represent are the people you slavishly listen to who like you tend to be stuck somewhere between 1979 to 1994. The games moved on like it or not and in the pro game the hooking roll has morphed into a kind of general purpose position as have S/H and S/O whilst L/F barely exists at all.

But hey you think what you like - I get the idea that you need a pet subject to moan and whinge about, it seems to be in your nature these days - well at least on here

The phrase should be "experienced" hooker not "natural" hooker etc.

The experience of playing at hooker and managing a team around the park and specifically managing the distribution is key to a team.
I'm sure sticking a half back in there will plug some of the gaps but it won't be the same.

Because Finn has played there, and is an intelligent versatile player I think he'll do well there. Miller would be a stop gap. No idea on Williams. Wood has experience so is fine. He'll be judged on how well he can manage the team I'm sure as we are saying that is now his sole role rather than covering from half back.

But overall, I still stand by my point, and the point Belly makes, which is Hooker is very important role and we have to get it right to get the best out of our team.

I tend to agree with that and I reckon if the Club had more money and there was a decent one out there, we'd have brought one in once Moore screwed up. We haven't so we'll make the best of the players we've got. At least we've got a few options.

Yep.

That wasn't your point or belly point it was everyone's point - all that differs is the degree. You're not telling anyone what they don't know, I haven't seen a post on here that doesn't lament the loss of Moore the player, but his non availability is something we will have to cope with.

Unless of course you and belly know where another hooker as good as Moore is available because no way is O'Brian as good as Moore. I honestly doubt either of you know much about him because I didn't but I've spent a few hours watching him on yout...... and he's nothing special, nowhere close to Wood and apart from being quicker than Finn not as good.

I accept you are open minded but I guarantee you Belly wouldn't know O'Brian if he walked up and slapped him, the only time he'll have seen him play was the MPG where he played ok - I wonder why. Belly basically adores any player we don't have which is odd but there you go, whether the poster himself does doesn't appear to be the case when I speak to him in the flesh

Knows who better than me Belly or O'Brian?

Don't tell me you're yet another one of the many supposed ex pros who post on here - good for you.

Yes I did play but it was a long time ago. I played for the Bathurst Railways RL club NSW U13's part of the Penrith feeder group of clubs - now called Bathurst Panthers. Same club that Brad Davis started at but that was after my time there. Got selected for NSW Country under 14s though never actually played as we moved back to the UK. Lived in a non RL area for first 18 month before moving to Wakefield.

Played a bit at school but never got back into it in a serious way, mainly because the amateur game was full of people like you.

HTH

Ashurst played hooker a bit and did a
good job last season so as some have said before doesn't require a specialist. Finn being a scrum half and hooker should
Be fine and maybe he'll stay on field longer and not give as many penalties away and the MRP won't be
constantly watching him. Hope my opinion counts as played quite a bit of Amateur rugby.

I played amateur can I have an opinion please?

It appears you can, its those who haven't played who cant according to Kirmudgenly.

Don't remember that but I didn't see every game.