I think you're underrating him by a significant margin. And no matter how many youngsters you have coming through a genuine utility player gives you an extra flexibility with squad and bench selection that's invaluable. Whiting can cover pretty much any position on the park and we can move him there [iduring the game[/i to cover injuries if necessary. You can't carry enough youngsters on the bench to give you options like that.

And if you genuinely believe that the [imajority[/i of back row forwards in SL are better than Whiting then I suggest you haven't been paying attention to some of the distinctly average players currently making up the numbers.

Back rows at other 'top clubs' I'd definitely have Whiting ahead of:

Farrell
Tuson
Lauaki
Faiumu
Ferguson
Blythe
Solomona
Mounis
Gossard
Clough
Dixon
Delaney
Kirke
Clarkson

Plus a few I'd also lean toward Whiting but it's closer:

Fa'aologo
Raguin
Wilkin
Flanagan

This myth that teams have 17 'class' players and then youngsters backing them up is peddled far too much.

Whiting has had half a season in a more central role after filling in at centre and wing for most of the last few seasons. In that time, he's shown he can cut it with the best. He's been 'very good' or better in most games and a stand-out performer in the Rovers and Leeds games.

Anyone saying he doesn't offer enough to be part of a top 4 team needs to look at the Leeds game again. He won the Sky MOM, the club MOM, and the MOM as voted for on here. The more time he gets in a pivotal role, the better he'll be.

A player such as Whiting cannot be judged on how he performs solely against the elite in any given position,though as Kosh mentions he'd be not far shy in the back row dept anyhow. That he reads a game so well is very very consistant in his performances and his seemingly innate ability to cover every position means he would be a regular in any SL team. That in itself reflects on the man and if he had another yard (okay maybe two..lol) of pace would have been classed as a freak.

Anyone who was at London when he broke his leg [ Didn't he later break his arm? ] cannot fail to be inpressed with his battle back to fitness and subsequent improvement DESPITE the previous regime. For me he is playing the best RL of his career this season. As has been mentioned - Mr Gentle knows a thing or two!!

Apart from Wigan, Whiting would walk in to any team at either 11,12 or 13.

Even then its close between him and Hansen.

And he'd easily make the bench for Wigan too.

Don't agree with that at all. He can't even get into our starting 13 when everyone is fully fit and we will be 5th at best.

You are joking?

I have slated him in the past, but last season and the games he has played so far this year have shown me to be completely wrong,he is an incredibly valuable member of the squad and I hope we give him another two years with the option of a third.

I genuinely rate him as one of the best players at Hull FC, his versatility is a massive asset although his rugby brain and his ability to read the game very quickly is the icing on the cake.
One of the most underrated players in SL imo

He has the rugby brain to become a good coach in the future.

He makes things happen, I'll bet his intercept stats are up there with the best and how often is he caught out of position?

Great player, one that the squad relies on.

That Gentle thought he would be more effective from the bench hardly means he was unable to get a place in the starting 13. By your reckoning, Moa wouldn't get a place in a top side either.

This. We are a different team when he's on song and his quick reactions and intercepts have saved us countless times.

I'd be more than happy for him to see out his professional days with us.

Are you for real? PG obviously thinks he's worth a place, as do 99% of the posters on this forum.