So what would you put Halatau's poor form down to Vish? Is he playing any worse than he ever has? IMO i don't really think so. Yes for the few matches back from the shoulder op, but then after he has been playing quite solid. His defence hasn't been affected from going under the knife, he is still running the same lines in attack, he hasn't lost any of his dynamic impact due to any size change. I noticed this merely 4-5 matches since he returned in 2006. What i did notice also was Sheens constantly play him in the starting 13 in 2nd row and lock for most of 2006/2007. He was used for the initial game settling period and was then spent when it came to put on any attacking plays. Spent most of his games scrambling around the ruck exhausting his energy. So the trial with him back at centre may give him the breathing space in defence to bring back his explosive attack.
As for playing the same 17-19, that was beyond a joke when there were lower grade players CONSISTENTLY playing well and not given the chance to show their skills at the higher level, when their respective positions in 1st grade were being dominated all year. Also quite a funny observation is how several people continue to name the same line-ups in forwards as last year, when they will be the first ones to have a sook next year if the forwards get pumped again. Some people are even just throwing in Payne to replace Saffy in their pack thinking that will solve the problem up front.
Now as for playing Fulton off the bench for something different, how would you propose to play Fulton in the starting pack to accomodate for Brown(who would only have versatility in the hooking or lock positions within that first grade pack) in the top 17?
