They are used as an extra prop these days of course, but I'd say you're still looing for a bit more ball playing from your 13, in at first receiver etc at times plus a better engine generally.
They are used as an extra prop these days of course, but I'd say you're still looing for a bit more ball playing from your 13, in at first receiver etc at times plus a better engine generally.
Yep, unless you have an Andy Farrell, O’Loughlin, Scullthorpe even Westerman type 13 you might as well have another prop there.
The only difference I see is the 13 don’t take the first carries off kick off and drop outs.
Philbins best asset is he is kick off returns, leave him at prop I reckon.
Going a wee bit off the Harrison thread now, but as NSW has mentioned Philbin, I'll say that this could be a make or break season for him. At his best, he's a very valuable player for us, and he had some excellent seasons before going off the boil over the past couple of years, for whatever reason. Now he's coming back off a major injury and has big competition for those front row places. Let's hope we see a revitalised Philbin in 2023.
Going a wee bit off the Harrison thread now, but as NSW has mentioned Philbin, I'll say that this could be a make or break season for him. At his best, he's a very valuable player for us, and he had some excellent seasons before going off the boil over the past couple of years, for whatever reason. Now he's coming back off a major injury and has big competition for those front row places. Let's hope we see a revitalised Philbin in 2023.
I do remember the excitement in Jonathon Davies (Challenge Cup) when he saw Philbin coming on after about 25 minutes followed shortly by Sitaleki Akauola. They had a spell (a few years back) where they were both very physical lively boys.
Going a wee bit off the Harrison thread now, but as NSW has mentioned Philbin, I'll say that this could be a make or break season for him. At his best, he's a very valuable player for us, and he had some excellent seasons before going off the boil over the past couple of years, for whatever reason. Now he's coming back off a major injury and has big competition for those front row places. Let's hope we see a revitalised Philbin in 2023.
Bumped into him last night at a 'do' he's in training and planning on being in the mix in March and said that he and the squad are in good spirits, looking forward to making amends for last year and that this group of Aussies were the best we've had.
I'm a bit on the grumpy side (think Larry David meets Alf Garnett) but after a very brief chat with Joe and Ben Currie, you know what, I think the players and the club know what is at stake and it more than whetted my appetite for next season.
I do remember the excitement in Jonathon Davies (Challenge Cup) when he saw Philbin coming on after about 25 minutes followed shortly by Sitaleki Akauola. They had a spell (a few years back) where they were both very physical lively boys.
That transported me back to Thrum Hall for a particular match with Halifax. Davies was mercurially brilliant that afternoon.
Back on the Harrison thread, I was surprised at the two year extension, as I was left wanting more from him, as he was good for his first couple of games, but dropped off after that. However, he was amongst a good number that dropped off, as last season went on, but Bullock is in front of him for a jersey in my opinion.
I was trying to put a positive spin on things. Personally I did not use the argument of competition for places last year. That pack was garbage. However I do think there was complacency in previous seasons that we had 2 automatic pick forwards who were never in danger of losing their spot.
Those two were by far our best props, and there was a drop in our go forward, and a swing to the oppositions go forward when they were replaced. In 2023, a lot hinges on the performance of Maguire and Vaughn, as I'm not a huge fan of either Dudson, or Kasiano. Having said that, I'm hopeful that they will be better than what we previously had. Apologies for bringing up the unbalanced squad, again, but there's Bullock, Mikaele, Philbin and Harrison who will be getting game time on loan in the championship.
I do remember the excitement in Jonathon Davies (Challenge Cup) when he saw Philbin coming on after about 25 minutes followed shortly by Sitaleki Akauola. They had a spell (a few years back) where they were both very physical lively boys.
i used to be pretty much the lone voice about this, philbin and site off the bench were a very very good pairing, when sita fell out of favour that was when philbin became less effective
the usual suspects were more concerned with banging on about game time, and lack of hit ups or whatever, ignoring what was happening in front of them
