Quote ="Sandra The Terrorist"
I've been a big fan of Hall since his Hull days, but if ever a player would benefit from an extended run and having a defined role it's him. I would absolutely love him to be able to have half a season just playing and honing his skills at left centre.
He's got it all going forward, he's never going to be the best defensively, but, he can be taught to be at least proficient. His one on one tackling isn't poor. He can be taught when to hold his line and when to communicate with his half back and second row.
I think given a proper spell, Hall can go on to be a very proficient player, probably not an International, but certainly a very good player and I really hope Rovers extend his deal.'"
Craig's defensive problems have always tended to stem from bad positional sense rather than being a weak tackler. Whether this is down to bad advice, directionless coaching or it's something that is merely genetic I'm unsure. It would be more than a tad strange if it was the latter reason as it was one of his old man's strongpoints. As you say, his one on tackling isn't poor (certainly no worse than the majority of threequarters currently playing in SL) and still appears to be communication/indecision on his part of when to go and when to stay (again, not exactly an uncommon trait in modern day backs, hello Jordan Turner
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He's never going to be Ellery Hanley when it comes to defensive duties, but as you point out there is no reason why he can't at least be proficent to the point of not being a liability in this department with a little sound advice. Although after watching last night's game he would be a veritable tackling machine if he found himself in either Bradford's or Castleford's sides.
Certainly, there is still a part of me that would like to see him succeed (even though he is no longer our player) because, as I pointed out in my original post, used correctly in a centre position, he still has all the qualities required to be a potent strike centre. I hate to see genuine talent go to waste and as a natural attacking rugby player, Craig is arguably the most gifted player this City has produced in the last 25 years.
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