I think you go with the team that you would pick for Wembley, if LC wasn't available for that game so it has got to be Richardson for his place kicking alone in pressure games.
I think you go with the team that you would pick for Wembley, if LC wasn't available for that game so it has got to be Richardson for his place kicking alone in pressure games.
Lomax has the no 1 on his back though, I don't think we would be experimenting too much. Makinson is a big part of our game in every attacking set when our forwards have attracted extra numbers into the tackle, I don't think we should be losing those options. As for running the ball back from the kick Lomax just needs to engage Grace and Makinson to do that work.
It has to be Lomax for me.
He is the better attacking and defending full back. He is also great at marshaling the defense at full back and gets the numbers right on either side of the ruck.
Richardson has a better kicking game than anyone else in the team both in open play and place kicking.
Moving Tommy to fullback means you lose his scoring prowess down the wings.
There are far more positives to bringing Richardson on board than there are to bringing swift on to the wing.
Yes its only Halifax and we'd be odds on to win with anyone at fullback but if it was a playoff game or final, which it could be I'd want all those positives in the team.
The only positive I can see that Tommy leads on is running the ball back from deep, which he can easily do as a winger as the fullback often passes to the wingers.
Tommy to FB is a ridiculous claim when we have Lomax/Fages/Richardson/Welsby ready to take on the 3 positions.
Those claiming no Richardson are dumb AF. Take a look at previous games when one of Lomax/Fages/Coote weren't available - Richardson played and kicked for us.
This is a massive game. Yes it's Halifax, but we cannot take any risks. It would take the biggest underdog story in the history of RL to see an upset here - something we cannot simply afford to risk.
For me it’s quite simple. Lomax is an international full back so should play there. Makinson has been voted the worlds best winger so should play there.
Coote is our goal kicker and now absent. Richardson is a brilliant goal kicker so should play.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Lomax to full back for me
I only saw highlights of the London game but was disappointed when DR made an excellent break and rather than use the inside man he dummied and went himself losing the ball. It was an moment of greed and self interest when his position requires him to be selfless at times
Yes I get that but like I said in my post, in terms of us having to change the way we play it would be a bigger experiment to play Makinson at 1.
He played there in 2014 out of necessity not choice.
Look at how many tries we’ve scored this year from cut-out passes from Coote (or Lomax). That’s a key part of how we set up in attack. For all of Makinson’s strengths, he isn’t going to execute that play. He’s going the get the ball from his half back and pin his head down and go for it. Our centres and wingers wouldn’t get a look in because Makinson simply isn’t a ball playing full back. That’s not a criticism of him; it’s just not his game.
NEVER WRITE OFF THE SAINTS
The decision needs to be made without any reference to the fact that ‘it’s only Halifax’. I just can’t see beyond Lomax at FB and DR next to Fages. Least disruptive option and we are not compromising the FB position.
Of course we should be strong enough regardless of who plays where, but if we see an ‘unusual’ selection for this game I would question ask does JH get the fitters in big games?
Humans are more concerned with having than being.
Exactly. Regardless of who we're playing, its a Challenge Cup Semi Final. We haven't been to Wembley since 2008 therefore this is a huge game. We go with our strongest team and go all out to win the game. We have a huge buffer in the league where we can afford to experiment but not in knock out games.
Lomax to 1, Fages to 6, Richardson to 7 - easy selection for me.
Originally Posted by Despondent Dave
Didn’t Naiqama play full back in the NRL and for his country? Bring Costello in and move Naiqama to full back for me
Can Costello play FB?
This is a Challenge Cup Semi we have not been to Wembley for over 10 years....full strength team for me no resting. Probably best to put Jonny where Coote played and leave Danny in with a serious warning to behave and stick to the game plan.
Learned comment from The Don
Can't see past Lomax fages Richardson myself.
Danny will do a good job for us and this is a perfect example of why he's in the team. Think reacher has probably spelt it out the best. Plus we can't go back to Percy kicking, it's not just that he misses a few I think it has a knock on effect with his confidence during the rest of the game.
Same here we need Danny in for this one this is precisely what he is for, back up half back and Goal Kicker Johnny is a proven full back and both wings in full strike mode CoyS
Lomax has been our best player this year, playing at 6. Know he has 1 on his back but he is an out and out 6 now, and I have real worries about how his knees would hold up playing FB now.I'd keep the half back pairing as it is, and have either Makinson or Welsby at FB. Know Welsby has been a bit hit and miss but think he should be given the chance. Don't think he can be judged too much on Sunday's game, and remember him having a blinder against Catalan on Easter Monday - was our best player that day for me