It's an absolute no brainer for me, I'd also be far more patient with Pay if he went this way and allowed them to play to their strengths and have the team support them.
Wakeham and Averillo as halves pairing works because it allows them to play to their strengths and perform roles they are far more comfortable with. They are also comfortable on either side of the field. Lewis in the team simply does not allow this not to mention he just isn't good enough and really not worth persisting with, God knows why we jumped the gun and re-signed him so early.
Wakeham at 7 has the freedom to float around the ruck, push players where he wants them, setup up plays and then inject himself where he sees fit. He also doesn't need to rack up 70+ useless touches like Lewis and stifle the attack...instead the he can play an active role and push up in support or further organise the side.
Averillo in the 6 gives us a genuine ball running option, someone with with proper pace and footwork that wants to run at defenders and ask questions. He can pickup the ball in all different types of positions and scenarios and just attack the defence there and then while having the skill to linkup with his support in all sorts of ways.
Hopefully Pay goes with this halves pairing next week and continue on with it into the season and we can try and build around these guys, yes they're going to make mistakes and look crap at times but I'm more than willing to be patient with them if they get the proper opportunity and continue to show ability that's worth persisting with.
On a side note DWZ absolutely has to go from FB, not just because he can't catch a fucking ball but because he just isn't a fullback and lacks the vision and ball skills required in that role. A lot of what he does well he can do from the wing or centre. JMK again is another issue, bloke has peaked and just lacks any sort of guile in the dh role, can pass okay and defend well but that's it.
1. Hoppa
6. Averillo
7. Wakeham
9.????
That's 3 genuine ball players, a proper ball runner and the experience of Hoppa. Surely these players getting good ball in areas they're good at is a major upgrade on what we have now?