I like Aitken and initially saw the similarity to Cooper's defence but last year saw his weakness in lateral defence. Players were getting around him. Happened in the 4 Nations tournament playing for Scotland too. Hope Cooper has been schooling him this last week!
Euan aitken is a gun.. he is all that was talked about last year now after we resign him people want him gone.. he is going to be a centre for a few years yet.. defence is about communication and the winger has a choice to push in with the centre or leave a massive hole on the outside and i think its mostly the wingers fault for not taking his man or reacting quick enough.. aitkens saved us plenty of times by rushing out of the line and making the right options..hopefully as the combinations have more time they can get it right.. look forward to some strong defence and a dugan man of the match performance should top the week off well :L
I see where your coming from he has been beaten a few times standing but give the opposite centre credit where it's due last week it was jennings.. aitken was a solid centre last year with an average game plan.. watch him light it up this year.. he is young and still learning i dont see much difference with aitken defending in the second row.. he has the footwork and power to score on the edges but he isnt the biggest player in the world he would be handled easier by there forwards..
Aitken is young and will develop further. We do have some quality options at centre however, and a stint in the 2nds would not hurt his development one iota. It also keeps players on their toes knowing that if they have a shocker, they can be dropped.
Thanks Maryaitken is our best centre.. great half by the boys