So lets run through this scenario:
McInnes cannot start the season due to injury or is injured during the season. Who plays hooker?
Lets move Hunt there.
Who plays in the halves, either 7 or 5/8 with Norman?
Our incumbent fullback (barring the last game against the Titans was Sailor), so, Sailor is an option, but is inexperienced at NRL level in that position. Another option is Clune, but he has no NRL experience and would need to be elevated to an NRL contract.
Lets go with Sailor.
Now, who plays fullback?
Lomax, who is an incumbent winger can play there.
Now we have a plethora of wingers who can play in this role.
If we run with this option our spine would consist of:
A fullback with 1 or 2 games experience in that position.
A half or 5/8 with no experience in that position at NRL level, or a complete rookie.
A hooker who is supposed to be our premier half, and doubtfull if he could sustain the role on a continuing basis (yes he plays there in SOO, but those games are spread out).
Our only experienced half is Norman.
So, the only feasable solution is signing an experienced hooker to slot right in, without upsetting any of the spine.
Sailor satays as fullback, Norman anx Hunt remain our experienced halves combo, and Luke, who is experienced at NRL and International level.
One final point on Hunt, in the recent PM's IX game, Hunt, playing hooker made 17 tackles and missed 3 against Fiji.
If Luke isn't the answer, maybe we should have opted for Kurt Baptiste!!!!
