Eh?

As long as he knows for the 1st game i wouldnt worry. It's the same as getting concerned by squad numbers. Nothing matters other than match fitness in these kind of friendlies imo.

Moore, Obst, Murphy and Phelps we bring these four in and we have adequate cover.

I think you're reading too much into this TBH, particularly given Agar's widely-publicised opinion on the value of friendlies. The time to start worrying is if we start the league campaign with an oddball selection.

We may have no choice in that though.

I just think it's very odd that a coach who has repeatedly stated that he sees Briscoe's future at centre and Lyne as a very exciting prospect who's not too far away, when faced with a selection problem at centre chooses to go with a 2nd rower in preference to them.

Worrying how many names you've needed to include there.

Not half as worrying as the quality of three of them.

Don't know a lot about Moore, but the sad fact is that whilst the others aren't that great players, they are still better than the options we currently have (i.e. crap, or none).

Agars stated he wants the forwards to get a lot of minutes under their belt, maybe this was the easiest way.

Great point, Sheldon.

Agar knows that Briscoe will do a job at centre. Agar knows that Lyne can (and will) have to come in at some point on the wing. Agar has already had a look at the youngsters at different points.

Agar hasn't seen what other options we might need through the season with such a thin squad. We have very few backs with experience and tonnes of forwards. Moving one of them to centre could be a good back-up if it comes off and Agar wants to see if he has that option. I (and others) have said that Manu could be a good shout at centre. Running at the smaller backs and palming them off the way he does could see him make even more breaks and not get as tired, but it will limit his involvement.

This is what friendlies are for people!

But seriously, how many back rowers can we fit into out starting 13?

3. Turner
4. Manu
5. Whiting
6. Westerman
7. Washbrook
8. Lauaki
10. Radford
11. Burnett
12. Tickle
13. Fitzgibbon

David Waite in disguise?!

to be fair, whiting and turner are not forwards and burnett is out on loan but i take your general point, some genuine backs played in their correct positions would be nice

this just shows what an excellent coach agar is he couldn,t organise a p88s up in a brewery, banging on about the youth prospects then don,t play them its about time the hull board sacked him,for all of halls defensive inabilities his try scoring record speaks for its self another self inflicted cock up by agar

Manu's combination with his winger was the play of the game. Genius.