Phuzzy wrote:I don't think the roles are disimilar enough to make that conclusion Mark. Mago still ran the ball in from 13, carrying 3 or 4 players with him as he did so. You could argue that 13 is actually more aerobically challenging as you're on the ball far more often but still have to run it in like a prop. 13s traditionally have good engines for that very reason.
Mago is never going to be an 80 minute prop. We didn't sign him expecting him to be, so I think criticism because others are is a little unfair. The question should be "is he fulfilling the role we expect from him" and the answer to that is yes. I have rarely over the last 12 months or so seen him come on and not make an impact. He dents the defensive line better than any other prop, and that includes Thompson. That he hasn't done it for big minutes in many matches is, as I say, down to tactics. Peet, quite understandablely, likes Thompson, Harvard and Ellis on for as long as possible. Whether that's the right tactic long term is another argument and I've said many times that I think it carries risks.
i agree Mago isnt ever going to be an 80 minute prop and i personally wouldnt assess him against one, but i also think we all expect him to be skittling the opposition every time he takes the ball in, so are probably putting too much expectation on him on that front. there is no doubt he gives us a different option in the front row, with 3-4 men regularly in the tackle on him and his ability to offload, although i think he has probably been asked to be more controlled with it y the coaching team
re the 80 mins, i agree that there is an element or risk, and personally i would have given Thompson the Hull game off, as it feels like we are very reliant on him doing 80 each week. The coaching team however, are probably looking at the other options, and not seeing them replacing Thompsons intensity if they give him the week off at the minute,. We all know Bryne can do good minutes as he played most games last year, Dupree i'm not sure about, but he was very good when spelled and Hill is still learning his trade
