bartman said:
Coaches have still stuck with them in their starting 13, meaning they think they're better options than anyone else for the role.
Could be the start (or next step) or de-specialising the hooking roles? Just get the quick service from dummy half out to the playmaker, and that's your job. Maybe they could be very good at it, and be retained by their clubs next year...
The hooking role and the five eighth role are becoming incredibly despecialised IMO. I had this debate regarding the five eighth role when Warriors fans ummed and aahed about Sione Faumuina at five eighth; who really is the traditional five eighth anymore? They come in all shapes and sizes, and have differing roles in their team structure - for instance, Shaun Timmins for NSW had a far different role at 6 than Darren Lockyer has at 6 for Queensland. If you look at some of the bloke's who've played there, or are playing there, they have the ability to play in another position or they're not your typecast #6 - Daley centre/lock big guy, Fittler likewise, Timmins likewise, Trent Barrett could play centre or lock I feel, Nigel Vagana for the Sharks/Kiwis, Johnny Smith was a hooker mainly for Parramatta, Preston Campbell was shunted all over the shop at Cronulla, Justin Smith and Travis Norton have spent time there for North Queensland etc. etc.
Hookers, I think its another position, as long as have a bit of guts to get in and do some defence that can also be fairly adaptable. The Warriors pushed Lance Hohaia - five eighth/halfback - into hooker last year and he played IMO the best football of his career. Even PJ Marsh, came to the Warriors as a utility but was stenciled in to be the club's five eighth. I think the key assets here are guts, street smarts, and a bit of acceleration.
The only roles I really think are specialised are fullback, and halfback. To some degree wing on defence - odd as it may sound, but that's incredible tough to defend in. You have to change your game from defending man on man to defending space, adapting to the player's inside you, and knowing where the sideline is. Many players have been given a chance there to get into first grade, and have been humiliated - I couldn't work out for the life of me why Simon Mannering played their last year for the mighties, and he got thoroughly outclassed and exposed in defence on the wing because he didn't know where to be. Also, Jerome Ropati was pushed into fullback, and he was practically preying for good luck to catch the bomb, and safely return the ball from a deep kick. Skills that are often overlooked by naive coaching staff.
