Which is why getting out 9 right is so important. Both Walsh and Mam tend to go for the glory play and Reynolds is targeted relentlessly by the opposition because he is the only mature head out there in the spine. I really hope Smoothy hits the ground running here but while he has experience at Q Cup, he also is a rookie at NRL level. I reckon this is why Kevvie keeps going back to Walters (and Turpin this year), he's trying to balance the age / experience level of the spine, albeit with mediocre players.
Walsh is coming into his third season of first grade now though effectively, so hopefully he is starting to get into his stride.
Yep, this is what I've been banging on about.
I think we need two above average hookers: one at 9, the other at 14.
I would like a "thinking hooker" at 9, one with a decent kicking game (including 40/20's) who can take the pressure off Reynolds or who can assume tactical duties when he isn't on the field. Ideally this would be a senior player, perhaps towards the end of his career or maybe an exceptional junior, like we're hoping Mozer will be. This is the only role I can find for Billy, but
in my opinion he's not up to it.
The other would be a "go forward hooker" at 14. Someone who exploits tired forwards, someone unpredictable. A more selfish player like Segerayo, Granville or Levi would even be acceptable here. Like I've said many times - to much ridicule - I could see someone like Tesi filling that role. Billy doesn't offer anything new off the bench unless the starting 9 is really poor, like Turpin became.
An alternative to a "thinking hooker" would be a "go forward" hooker. Someone who keeps the momentum rolling. From what I've seen of Smoothy, I think he could fill that role.
The way I see it, if Smoothy doesn't take 9, we are shortchanged there. And we don't have anyone who stands out as a 14, unless we turn someone into one.
I don't see either of Walters or Paix fitting any of those descriptions. For mine, Paix is depth, good depth. Walters is behind Paix, or surplus.
The conversation around hookers of late seems to be more about defence. I'd like to see us emerge from that.