Well put. So with our lack of creativity and injuries in the halves would it not make more sense for Agar to alter his plans and play a ball playing 13 to help us? I wouldnt mind Turner and Horne in the halves if Washy played 13. (i see Turner and Horne both as runners)

It would make sense. I'm not sure where that would leave the forward rotation, but it would probably mean only one of Lauaki and Moa being in the same squad as I'd guess they'd both have the same role if Fitzgibbon went to second row, sharing it with Manu and Tickle. One of Radford, Dowes and Cusack would also miss out, but all three have looked off the pace in the last couple of games so rotating them wouldn't be a problem.

to cut a LONG story short.....i think he's been average of late...thats when he has actually played.

Maybe just shift Fitz up to prop then like he's played for Oz?

Fitz
Houghton
O'Meley
Tickle
Manu
Washy

Bench:
Radford
Moa
Lauaki
McShane

At 13 he plays as a prop anyway. (a bloody good one though) and numerous times for club and country in Oz he has been named in the front row and played prop.

Agar has been quoted as saying he doesnt really have 2nd rows or props etc. He has forward that play down the middle channel like his 3 props and then he has 2 2nd rows that play down the wider channels. My view would be that 2 props should suffice for the middle channel and we can have an extra ball player at 13.

Agar wont though.

I maybe wrong but I thought he worked with Nobby at International level. I personally consider Nobby a top class coach.

I used these 'type' of players as an example for championing the "traditional" loose forward; they're not bulked up 3rd prop players, they're mobile and with a greater all round ability than your average forward. The players I picked have enough skills to play in the halves if need be (and regularly do) I'd put Washbrook in there with them.

Therein lies the problem for me. At times too predictable and easy to defend against.

That is what you get signing a player of that age, but its games like todays that you need him to step up and perform, and in the past he has done it on the big stage

Thats why the team needs him today, hes a big game player, i wouldnt be bothered if it were a league game. If hes out, so be it, weve played plenty of game time without him this year and even when hes played hes only looked good at saints and also defensively at kr.