Quote ="Grimmy"Regardless of whether he has been used there, Leuluai is/was still the best hooker at the club. Leuluai hits harder in defense, has more skill in attack, better fitness levels and has a kicking game.
I agree McIlorum is aggressive, but that's it. Surely we can expect more from a starting hooker at a top SL team, when our competitors have the likes of Roby, Parcell, Houghton and Clark. I just hope we see:
1 Escare
6 Williams
7 S.Tomkins
9 Leuluai
14 Powell/Ganson
rather than what I expect:
1 S.Tomkins
6 Williams
7 Leuluai
9 Powell
14 Escare'"
Personally I just cant agree, I don't know how you can deem Leuluai the best hooker at the club when he hasn't played there for 3 years. Fitness demands are completely different for a 7 and 9, so we'll have to see Tommy at 9 to be able to make a decision on fitness levels. His kicking game last year was atrocious so I wouldn't list that as a positive, the only positive is that hopefully he'll kick less at 9. Don't get me wrong I don't think McLlorum leaving will make or break our season I just believe we are weaker for not having him. McLlorum and Leauluai from the bench is superior IMO to any combination we now have.
There is other position where we are flooded with mediocrity IMO.
Flower, Clubb, FPN, Tautai, Isa, Sutton, Hamlin, J.Tomkins, Bateman, Farrell, Wells, O'loughlin, plus more youngsters.
Now I'm not saying they're all mediocre, but a few are and that's 12+ players for 6 starting spots and 3 bench spots.
