The Great Ruck Debate.

[kruddler]

There's another factor that comes into play in this decision and it works for both sides of the argument
That's the state of the list at any one time in terms of injury, fitness and ability to run out games.

As Kruddler points out if Harry was out injured there is little argument about playing both Pitto and TDK

If we have a full list to choose from including players like Cerra and Cottrell we may have trouble squeezing Pittonet in (I'm assuming Tom's there to stay now)

But if it's a choice for the last spot between Pittonet and a Carroll or Binns you have to ask which player is likely to have a greater impact on the game.

The 'rest' for the other runners comes into play to some extent but that would be well spread...and do we want players like Walsh and Cripps off the ground for any extra time.
The rest would be minimal spread through the mids and flankers.

And I'm just scratching the surface in terms of variables
If you think this is a simple 'one or the other'....think again

Yes, as mentioned, its all about OUR team and OUR team balance.

Other teams can play 1 ruck, 2 rucks or 3 rucks.....and it might work for them.....it doesn't work for us as well because of our other personnel.

The 'spread of rest' is important. You're forgetting something though, there are other areas players can go other than the bench.
Resting Cripps forward and swapping with someone like Kennedy can actually increase our potency of both players, and the team.

But yes, the 22nd player you displace to play that ruck needs to be taken into account too.

As an example i highlighted TDKs worst game this year (game Pitto got injured?) was when he played mostly as a forward. His stats as a forward were terrible even when comparing to someone like Fantasia and Durdin who are perennial 'underachievers' on the stat sheet. So would blooding a binns in that instance have been a better option? Potentially.
If the 22nd player was someone like Jack Martin or Matt Cottrell though? Sorry TDK, try again next week.