Well, I'm probably the pioneer Herbie basher, so I'll take this one.
I've been watching him closely all season, particularly after he won BHQ Player of the Round twice, waiting for him to do more than just look like something's about to happen. But it never does. He really doesn't look to hook up with other players. And he doesn't find the line. He just makes metres up the middle. That's not nothing, but it's a forward's role.
And it's not about the support. That's another issue. One that's endemic across the entire team. Actually a far bigger worry, but for another post. It's about him never trying to get in a position to link up, draw the defence and put his neighbour through a gap. It's about him not looking for support. Even when there is support, he doesn't even acknowledge it.
I've always considered Staggs a bit of a hog too. But he makes up for it by barging across the line, seemingly at will. And when he came back from injury - maybe because he's angling for a halves role - he was very clearly looking to link up and use his gaps and overlaps. Herbie NEVER creates an overlap. He runs sideways. He breaks the odd tackle. He hits it up. And then plays the ball.
Don't get me wrong: I'm not hating on Herbie. The kid has some skill. I'm just not seeing him perform the basics of what's required in a centre.
On the other hand, I'm seeing some progress in Niu. He's trying to do exactly what I want Herbie to do, albeit with varying success. I'm hoping his other issues - mostly effort related - might get ironed out with experience.
One issue Herbie may have is that he is carrying it in his left hand.
That is the correct thing to do at left center or left wing, but he kicks with his right foot so possibly he's carrying it with his weaker hand and it becomes more difficult to offload from that point... just not as much confidence in the hand carrying it.
I'm not willing to throw Herbie out just yet, but he seems to lean towards making contact and offloading or trying to engage the defensive line, rather than just dumping it off to the winger.
I think a lot of the time Herbie and Oates are already pretty tight to the touchline to be able to put Oates away... that can definitely be due to Herbie trying to beat them on the outside, but I've seen him cut back through on the inside shoulder as well, being able to beat the opposite on either shoulder is a very handy skill to have. If he's a predominantly right handed/footed player then his natural step is the right foot step which takes him closer to the sideline, it may be beneficial for Oates to be dropping under Herbie a fair bit as the right foot step would draw the center and get Oates away from his winger, leaving a good line back at the half... definitely something they should be working on.
I'd say the effort just before halftime yesterday he should've given it to Oates as he looked to have a little bit of space, but when he did go I thought he was in a half gap and momentum would get him there only to be held up just short... but he's definitely finished those tries before.
When Herbie made the bust earlier in the half, Oates wasnt there or was covered anyway, so he couldn't pass it to him... and other times the winger isn't committing to Herbie (unlike Coates on literally every center), so giving it to Oates is a risk that he'll get bundled into touch.
I think Glenn on the inside doesnt help in taking the inside defensive pressure off him and potentially the timing of backline sweeps to the left isn't great either so he's not really got an overlap to work with.
The only other aspect I would flag is that under Vlando ball we have very little field position (often we're sub 40% in their half) so that potentially reduces his opportunities for tries, etc. I think we do look dangerous at times when we spread to his side early in a set deep in our territory.
I think there is something to work with in Herbie though... having this whole year, in what I'm imagining is his first serious stint at left center with a left arm carry, will help his development and at worst I think he'd be a seriously good left winger for us