Most scrum halfs in Sl dfend out wide, defensing isnt really there job.

Dobson was involved in everything, and set up most of Rovers trys that day, Cooke didnt do anything of note all game.

Lets be honest though there oppisition halfbacks that day where Washbrook and Lee.

think cookie chased down and tackled well,and got better after been on bench for last few games.every thing early on went though dobson because thats how they had been playing,but i rate cooke and did when at hull,so didnt see much of the ball while late on

It should be every players job. When I think about the best SH's I've seen, they all happen to have a good defensive game; Johns, Sterling, Gregory, Stuart, etc, etc.

i think its down to the coaches these days and the way they set up in defence,they keep it tightdown the middle, using your better defensive players to keep it tight around play the ball area,alot more thought in defence these days , and game plans

I do agree, all players should help out in defence, but the best most clubs put there SH defending in the centre position, Horne does too much defending for a halfback.

That's four players over the last 35 years so.

The game has changed a lot over that period - the 10m rule being a fundamental one - prior to that intoduction, the SH often played a sweeper role in defence.

'etc' - I put it twice for the slower members, I'll add an extra one just for you next time Dave.



I appreciate that but even in the modern era the top scrum halfs can defend well when required, although admittadly their defensive duties are reduced wherever possible.

Thanks

Except Leuluai and Deacon who can both defend more than their weight.
Danny Brough can defend, so can Horne. Some are weak, most of them are spots in game plans due to their size, but 3 or 4 in SL seem to love defending.

why has the debate turned into how well a half back can defend?

When you look at the great half backs over the years the only thing that sticks in the mind is how good in attack they are. The half backs who can run well with the ball stand out most - look at Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire at Leeds, both great runners of the ball and that's why they've held the half back spots at Leeds for so long. Millward was a great runner of the ball, as is Lockyer. Some half backs are tougher than others but they don't become greats of the game for their defence.

It's just a back handed swipe at Dobson to say his defence isn't very good, probably because you can't find any real weaknesses in his game.

A poor attempt