and roby has been our 9, we shouldnt ever play him against them either

Jinx!

Please read for context.



I was responding to the point about experience. You have simply agreed with my point. For most of the trips to HKR we have played the same players and still lost. So why should Gardner's experience be considered more helpful than Swift's pace and step? That's right: it isn't. We still lose there loads, regardless of who we play. So why not introduce a bit of threat and pace instead of going with the same old, same old?

or dont put swift under massive pressure in a knock out competition. we've rushed too many youngsters recently

I think Makinson has done OK at FB but I would rather give Swift a go there. Think he could be an explosive runner from there. Give Makinson his wing spot back.

Gardners kick returns aren't even that good.

Percival is in the line up. Why not Swift?

Interesting thought. No idea how well he reads a game though, have you? I haven't seen enough of him to have any idea.

Perhaps Swift is further behind in development and looking fatigued either physically or mentally in training? There may be a number of reasons

I haven't to be honest, but he does seem to share a lot of Lomax's characteristics, from what I have seen. Makinson is more solid than spectacular. I reckon Swift would be the latter.

A Challenge Cup tie away to a side that beat us convincingly isn't the right place to go messing about with positional changes and blooding kids in new positions. IMO it's basically our season on the line at the weekend. We don't have it in us to win the Grand Final, so knuckling down and trying to do a professional job and have good cup run is the best we can do.

Except Swift played HKR on the wing two weeks ago (and scored) and he played again on the wing last week, so he has been blooded and the messing about actually comes with re-introducing Gardner after a few weeks' absence.