It was Fitzy's defence that got him ahead of Fisher in the first place. Fisher, Cockayne...etc are leg (or as some people call it) text book tacklers something of which is no longer a part of rugby league. Wrestling is a big part of the game now and clubs are willing to give more meters away as long as the play of the ball is slower than what a leg tackler like Fish can offer.

Call me old fashioned but I'm not sure I agree with that. Fisher stops them in their tracks and is imho our best tackler around the ruck. What's needed is some proper two man tackling with Fisher taking the legs and A. N. Other wrapping the ball and helping to win the wrestle to stop the quick ptb.

Fisher is no more a leg tackler than any player in Rovers team. He is regularly into the tackle first attempting to lock the ball and start the wrestle.

Cannot agree with your analysis of Fish i'm afraid.

You dont have to agree with me but its how it is, he's not a good defender in Super League, he never manages the wrestle because he isn't big or strong enough, simple as. If he makes the tackle around the legs the props and other forwards have to be onside much quicker, turned and ready to make the next tackle which over 80mins is too much in this modern age game.

It is a big reason why we need to bring in a top class hooker that can defend and wrestle. Maybe this will become apparent as the season kicks off because for sure this year we got lucky.

Your way off the mark Nick. Fishers defence is pretty decent and technically sound from what i've seen, when first in he nearly always makes contact with the ball and starts the wrestle so i'm not sure what you've been watching. You rave about Fitzy but his decision making was terrible out of dummy half at times, as was his service and its no coincidence that Rovers better performances last season have been when Fisher started and Fitzy came off the bench to break things up around the ruck, his real strength. Its also no coincidence also imo, that Rovers form tailed off when Fisher was out of the side altogether.

Its always flavour of the month though for the clique to have a pop at a player who appears to be out of favour with the coach. There are much worse defenders in the side

Im of the opinion that Fishers form dipped at the season end but he was the top tackler in SL in 2007 so cannot be faulted regardless of which way he tackles the opposition legs or wrestle.

www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2009 Have a look at their stats for last season

www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2009 Have a look at their stats for last season

Don't know what contitutesd an error in those stats but I can't believe Fitzy has so few.

Morgan's worst tactical mistake of the season for me was dropping Fisher, (although clearly from some of those stats he didn't have as good a season as '07 and '0icon_cool.gif and starting with Fitzhenry.
Fisher is our best defender at marker and at mopping up around the ruck, Fitzhenry was good at breaking things up as the game got stretched. That said, I don't think I've ever seen a hooker make so many catastrophic last tackle plays as Fitzhenry. Kicks that were all over the place, running the ball without looking at who was in support and at times just utter madness.

I wasn't on Fitzhenry's back throughout the season and I genuinely thank him for his efforts, but lets be honest, he won't really be missed and using a quota place on someone who at best was not bad is not the way to go. There has to be a young British player that could do as well if not better, for example, Andy Ellis.

As an outsider looking in, I like Fisher as a player and think he is underrated

Fisher is undoubtedly our best hooker. Unfortunately for whatever reason, Morgan has only used him sparingly this season in 15 minute spells which to me doesn't get the best out of Fish. To my mind Fisher is a better player when he plays for longer spells of the game.

Also PMH is correct Fitzy gave his all but he is not a big loss in the scheme of things.

Think you will find it was the aussie contingent that wanted fitzhenry in the team!

fisher was your only hooker in 07 wasn't he? No wonder his stats looked good if he pretty much played 80 minutes every game

Out and out hooker yes, and he performed admirably. Tommy Gallagher also had a go there (I think) Kirk Netherton played and we toyed with Scott Murrell as well as Stan having the odd go possibly.

For me, his best season was last year. Gave us organisation, go forward and excellent defence around the ruck. Unless you're Cameron Smith or Benny Elias, I don't know what more you can ask.

but also a reflection to his durability to have so much game time.

I think Iain Morrison did a bit of training for hooker too , but as you state Fish was the main man by some long way.