Interchange half backs

I've written a lot these year about how I think the role of the halves/hookers/fullback is changing. Just to recap. as hookers take on more responsibility for leading the direction of play, it pushes half backs into a less important role organisationally and therefore their running game is of as much importance if not more important than their ability to pass. Particularly as much of the creative play is happening wider via your five-eighth or fullback. So it got me thinking that instead of interchange hookers, why not have interchange halfbacks? For example, Jeff Robson is well suited for the early bustle of the game with his solid play and defence. However, as sides start to get tired, a player like Kris Keating could really come into his own by taking on the line more and being a bit more in attack. Having two halves on the roster means the coach can also respond to the flow of the match; ie when we need defence he shores up that area, but if we're down and looking for attack he throws on the attacking half. Personally, I'm not a fan of interchange hookers. I think you want continuity from your dummy half and I want my best organiser there the entire game. And if you want a bit more spark from dummy half, if you've got a nippy player like Keating he can always jump in there to make a few runs as well, as can a back like Luke Burt. To me, nothing beats having a player like a Cameron Smith, Danny Buderus or Michael Ennis calling the shots for the full 80 minutes. However, I can definitely see some value in interchanging your halves. The other benefit of this is you have added injury protection around your key positions. Keating for example can jump into six, seven and nine with no problem at all. The Dragons have had Matty Head on their interchange bench most of the year...

Sounds okay in principle but I've rarely seen it bear fruit. Souths were travelling well this season until Jason Taylor got confused with the prospect of playing Sutton, Sandow, Luke and Wing in the same squad - and thus rotated his halfback.

I don't entirely agree with your assessment of the changing role of the halfback. Yes, Robson is a catch and pass merchant with us, but several other teams rely very heavily on their number 7 (e.g. Norths Qld, Canterbury, St George, Gold Coast, etc) and those halfbacks play the traditional organisational role.

Many people on this forum seem to get tangled in a knot over 6 and 7 (which are basically interchangable these days). Comments like KK is more a 6 and Mortimer a 7 is utterly irrelevant as both could switch between plays with minimal fuss. Nonetheless, teams do need an organiser - ours currently is Mortimer - and that role needs to be a constant. If KK is, as you and I believe Phil, a quality halfback in the making, then he ought to come in for Robson now, rather than rotate as a dummy-half interchange.

If we can bed down a set halves combination and maintain stability while executing the game plan, then we'll be a markedly better side than we currently are.

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Wild_Eels August 12, 2009 at 1:37pm

KK can play fullback as well.
Dan August 12, 2009 at 2:00pm

Mate.... I've never even thought about this before but it makes perfect sense in the modern game. Is Kingston going for sure next year? If he does, that might leave the door open for some revolutionary interchange play next season.
Bourbon Man August 12, 2009 at 2:07pm

Sounds okay in principle but I've rarely seen it bear fruit. Souths were travelling well this season until Jason Taylor got confused with the prospect of playing Sutton, Sandow, Luke and Wing in the same squad - and thus rotated his halfback.

I don't entirely agree with your assessment of the changing role of the halfback. Yes, Robson is a catch and pass merchant with us, but several other teams rely very heavily on their number 7 (e.g. Norths Qld, Canterbury, St George, Gold Coast, etc) and those halfbacks play the traditional organisational role.

Many people on this forum seem to get tangled in a knot over 6 and 7 (which are basically interchangable these days). Comments like KK is more a 6 and Mortimer a 7 is utterly irrelevant as both could switch between plays with minimal fuss. Nonetheless, teams do need an organiser - ours currently is Mortimer - and that role needs to be a constant. If KK is, as you and I believe Phil, a quality halfback in the making, then he ought to come in for Robson now, rather than rotate as a dummy-half interchange.

If we can bed down a set halves combination and maintain stability while executing the game plan, then we'll be a markedly better side than we currently are.
- Dan > Bourbon Man August 12, 2009 at 3:21pm
  
  You've probably rarerly seen it bear fruit because I can't remember it ever being successfully tried & executed... I think it could prove to be a revolutionary step forward if done right. Something that gives us an edge over every other team in the competition.
  
  Although if not done correctly could have the opposite effect.
Djl August 12, 2009 at 5:01pm

great idea
shwgrl August 12, 2009 at 5:23pm

Got a good point
Tim August 12, 2009 at 6:07pm

I think the fact you make about your dummy half in taht you want continuity applies doubly for your halfback.

No matter how big you think your dummy-half has in organising a team, your whole gameplan usually revolves around your halfback. Changing halfbacks during a match just to add extra attack or defence would kill any momentum and confidence gained by the halfback throughout the match. Certainly not a fan of implementing it.

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Interchange half backs

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