James Haskell. Preferred Position?

Was just wanting to get the thoughts from English supporters as to where you get the best out of Haskell?
As he is "one of us now" (a Maniatoto Maggot) where in the back row would be his favored position?
He has come on as sub in 3 matches sofar in the S15. Twice as openside and yesterday at #8.
Has played well in the 30 mins per match he's played.
Yesterday was probably the most impressive, especially his taking the ball into contact.
He really hit the defensive line with some purpose.
Can see him starting more games as the season progresses.
Along the same line do fans see more NH players taking a season off and playing S15? Especially in the season following a RWC.
I believe its bein called a rugby sabbatical.

I see him as being no.8 long term ,good for England to have him and morgan contesting that spot.

My personal favourite would be him starting 8 and covering 6 and 7

I agree, he seems to have played well for Highlanders so far. But I think they are using him to attack the rucks more and getting him involved in attack less. Maybe thats because he is still integrating into the team. Will be interesting to see him when he gets his first start for them. I do like him at number 8. And England are lacking at depth at that position.

The idea of taking a year, or possibly two, and playing somewhere else is a fantastic idea. From a pure Rugby point of view, its different coaches, different players, different referees, and different playing styles. From a personal point of view, who wouldn't want to experience living in different countries? Guarantee anyone who does this comes back a better person for it.

His preferred position is surely lolling on a faux velvet banquette being photographed for another nude calendar?

I think a number of England supporters will say 8 because that is where we've had most need for him to try and develop, but I feel his best and natural position is 6.

He can do a decent job at openside, but isn't a true scavenger and lacks the natural instincts of one, better at hitting and clearing out. Regarding 8, he carries quite well, but doesn't have the control at the base or finesse of link play that the best 8s have (these could admittedly be worked on). At blindside you get the best returns form his good engine, tackling, physicality at the breakdown and carrying ability.

Gunner wrote:Along the same line do fans see more NH players taking a season off and playing S15? Especially in the season following a RWC.

I think many would benefit from that, but the problem remains of the quotas and limits that Super Rugby place on recruiting foreign players.

In NZ I believe the rules say that the franchises are allowed up to 2 foreign players in their squad, but there can be no equivalent native player available to the side, nor can there be more than one overseas player in a specialist position across all the franchises.

stlowe wrote:I think a number of England supporters will say 8 because that is where we've had most need for him to try and develop, but I feel his best and natural position is 6.

He can do a decent job at openside, but isn't a true scavenger and lacks the natural instincts of one, better at hitting and clearing out. Regarding 8, he carries quite well, but doesn't have the control at the base or finesse of link play that the best 8s have (these could admittedly be worked on). At blindside you get the best returns form his good engine, tackling, physicality at the breakdown and carrying ability.

I agree with all of this.

My ideal position for him is number 19 really- if he can play 6, 7 and 8 well enough to cover all of them to Internationalish standard then we can play a specialist starting back row (well we can when we find a 7) and Haskell can make an impact off the bench

IMO Haskell has always been a specialist 6, but has been played out of position the past number of years. If he plays like he did during the world cup, he should definitely be in with a shout for a starting place. Only at 6 though.