And you are desperate for them not to be ready.
I would love nothing more than for them to be ready ... and if they are ready i would love nothing more than for them to be given a chance.
BUT ... if they are not ready, i would rather they take the time to develop properly rather than risk damaging their confidence, setting their development back (possibly years).
from what i understand from some people who watch the 20s, ATM, the halves are setting themselves up more rather than their outside players. that may be fine in the under 20s but it just won't cut it in the NRL. it is more of the same as what we have at 5/8 right now. (but the 5/8 we have now will be a better defender, and probably have a better running game).
EDIT:
I think we all acknowledge that we fucked up Hunts development by rushing him into first grade (on the bench) and now people seems to be happy to do the same to other young halves... even if it means another long season, we need to take the time to develop them properly.
and IMO development (especially of halves) is a gradual time consuming process.
first we get them into the NYC, where the get exposure to the demands of travel and training and a higher level of competition to what they are used to.
next we move them up to the ISC. where they need to develop their skillset further against more hardened opposition. the learn composure and leading a team around the field. they learn when its best to run, kick or pass. they learn execution. the discover what works and what doesn't.
then when it is time, we throw them in the deep in and give them a shot at the NRL.
If Hunt had have stayed in the ISC rather than the NRL, he would be much further on in his development. he likely would have taken Wallaces spot 1 or 2 years ago at the latest. his kicking game would be more developed. he wouldn't be trying to develop it in the toughest rugby league competition in the world.
TL;DR: even if it means one more long season, lets get our halves ready instead of trying to develop them with the pressure of leading around a club that demands success, and where failure is not acceptable ... just look at the comments on here over the last 18 months