I agree and the few times either of them makes the right decision with the ball in hand is more down to the law of averages rather than them actually picking the right play. Thorman in particular actually goes against the law of averages and it gets it wrong far more times than he gets it right. Several times on Friday night we had created a gap out wide (with Motu coming around the back) and every single time he would pass it to the one player who could be easily tackled. So frustrating.

I've said many times that for sure technical ability Tommy Lee is the best passer of the ball at the club. Hornes passing is way too slow and not particularly accurate which is why, for the balance of the side, I would move him to FB next season (assuming Motu is going) and sign a SO who can actually create to play alongside Long.

I don't have a problem with Horne at stand-off alongside a creative, organising half. Give him a free role there and he's got enough ability to cause any defence problems. His problem comes when he's restricted by playing to a rigid structure as that will invariably require him to be shipping the ball out much more often. This isn't something he's good at, with slow, inaccurate passes. When he's allowed to think on his feet and pick from three or four options on a play, he's much better (although he does tend to go on his own too often still), but that will only come when someone else is there to dominate and take the attention away from him, giving him a bit more space. Thorman doesn't do this and Horne is easier to shut down as a result.

And I don't think he should be anywhere near fullback.

I think he could do a good enough job there and with a few more games to settle into the position could be more than adequate. For the balance of the team I'd rather go with

1. Horne
6. New player
7. Long

than

1. New FB
6. Horne
7. Long

I just think that would give us more attacking options across the pitch and make us less predictable.

Depends on who the new player was, I think we already have our 1,6 and 7 signed on for next season in Tansey, Horne and Long.

Absolutely. I'm thinking someone who has a good passing game, decent kicking game and can take the line on. A bit of extra leadership wouldn't go a miss either.

Think Tansey plays anywhere from 1 - 7 doesnt he. I do think he is our new number 1 though, as I can see Tony leaving.

I'd much rather have Tansey at fullback than Horne. Horne could be adequate, and almost certainly would be, but that isn't enough. He's got plenty to offer at 6, which suits his game much more, and should be fine there alongside Long.

I'd rather have a much better HB combination and an adequate FB than a very good FB and an adequate HB combination. Having said that Horne's wages would be wasted at FB but he should have some of that not count on the cap due to the 10 year rule.

I think Horne and Long would be more than adequate as halves, potentially a very good combination. And I also think you're underestimating the importance of a fullback.

I think your overstating it to a degree as well. I'd rather we had more options in attack than relying on a quick PTB from the FB.

A good fullback gives you options in attack. Often they are the player either making the break or providing the incisive pass.

The importance of which would be diminished if the HB's were creating. If the pass doesn't get wide quickly enough (due to poor passing) it negates the option of the FB joining in anyway.

Yes, but we already have players (either currently or signed up) who can/will provide good enough service. At hooker, both Lee and Berrigan have a good range of passing. At loose we'll hopefully have either one of those two or Washbrook, again someone who can pass well enough. Then Long at half is more than good enough. And Horne has done the job in the past and can provide good enough service when he's not asked to do so too often.

The fact that Tansey is playing fantastically well at full back in Oz currently suggests to me also that he will be our starting fb.

I can see the sense it what your saying but I disagree that Horne's passing is good enough to offer the option of getting the ball wide quickly. I'd like to see us have a more creative SO so that we can attack both flanks quickly and make us less predictable. That would mean Horne moving position and the only real option for that IMO is FB.