Quote Cherry.Pie="Cherry.Pie"Chances are Hughes won't be able to make the team playing as a forward so starting him off at centre seems sensible. As it stands he's the best option in that position until Thornley or Gelling are able to show what they've got to offer.
Just because Hughes is number 4 doesn't mean he won't get an opportunity to play in the pack. After all Thornley has been given number 17 which suggests he's likely to get a decent number of games too.
The squad numbers are usually little more than a reward. Neither Thornley or Gelling performed as well as Hughes did and as Hughes is one of the centre options he got the number 4 shirt.
If he turns out to be the best option at centre after the pre-season games then it's best for him to stay there until someone can force their way ahead of him. He'll still be able to feature in the back row too but it seems the club basically want him playing in the first team and I can't see that as a bad thing.'"
I am sure Wane thinks he's the best option but I don't see how that conflicts with anything I posted about it essentially being a compromise.
I also don't agree he wouldn't get many games in the pack. I reckon in the 2nd row he would already push Faz for a place. Faz is more suited to 13 IMO anyway but he won't get much of a chance there I know but there is just too much compromising going on. Faz isn't really a 2nd row and Hughes isn't a centre.
I like both players and in Hughes I can see that same kind of spark that set Hansen and Joel apart when they first hit the senior squad.
It would be a pity if his potential was hindered or his confidence affected by being played out of position. I don't really see what benefit he will get from playing centre if ultimately he isn't suited to the job.
Quote Cherry.PieI agree with the last part though. This isn't a strong squad and it's much more like a step backwards than forwards.'"
Not enough players to "scare" the opposition. It will be close Sam down and wind up Hock when he comes on and that is our threats nullified. A lot of responsibility is going to lie with Green to add a third threat as Finch did and Smith has big boots to fill in at 7. Lauaki effectively being the pack leader is just sad compared to recent packs that had front rowers like Coley and Fielden never mind Lima.