Crushercleal
Bencher
Crusher's YE tirade - issues for next year
Last night highlighted the massive gulf between us and the top teams. The Dragons were 2 gears above us, and didn't even get out of 4th. There pack steamrolled us, they were in our faces all night, their kicking gave us all sorts of problems, their big, quick outside backs were dominant over ours, and their intensity and enthusiasm was much too much for us. Problems:
1. Front Row. Besides Kite, who I thought really stood up for us in the latter half of the season, we do not have another frontrower who can be counted on. King is too soft and injury prone, Bryant has limited ability, and Rose is too immobile. Rose needs to lose 10 kgs over the Summer and Bryant needs to work on some ball skills. Big problems.
2. Back Row. Why have I not see Watmough run outside of Orford and Burns all year? Why would you make him just hit it up one-out? I am absolutely baffled. Is this a coaching thing, or a Choc thing? He is a shadow of last year. He should be used more smartly. We desperately need a replacement for BK.
3. Five-Eighth. Barrett sh*at all over Burns. I know it makes a difference when your pack is actially making ground, but Burns doesn't have the offensive capability of a 1st Grade 5/8 - his kicking is non-existent, and he is not creative. I kow he is only young, but we need ansers NOW. Based on last ngiht, you'd have to have Lyon there.
4. Outside Backs. Last night our lack of size really showed up, as we were completely outmuscled by Morris and Naiqama. Stewart needs to bulk up.
At the end of the day, my worries start and end with out pack. Our front row is obvioulsy not talented enough, and our backrow is short on depth. We desperately need some young blood here, and playing guys like Cuthbertson is a must. Food for thought...............
Last night highlighted the massive gulf between us and the top teams. The Dragons were 2 gears above us, and didn't even get out of 4th. There pack steamrolled us, they were in our faces all night, their kicking gave us all sorts of problems, their big, quick outside backs were dominant over ours, and their intensity and enthusiasm was much too much for us. Problems:
1. Front Row. Besides Kite, who I thought really stood up for us in the latter half of the season, we do not have another frontrower who can be counted on. King is too soft and injury prone, Bryant has limited ability, and Rose is too immobile. Rose needs to lose 10 kgs over the Summer and Bryant needs to work on some ball skills. Big problems.
2. Back Row. Why have I not see Watmough run outside of Orford and Burns all year? Why would you make him just hit it up one-out? I am absolutely baffled. Is this a coaching thing, or a Choc thing? He is a shadow of last year. He should be used more smartly. We desperately need a replacement for BK.
3. Five-Eighth. Barrett sh*at all over Burns. I know it makes a difference when your pack is actially making ground, but Burns doesn't have the offensive capability of a 1st Grade 5/8 - his kicking is non-existent, and he is not creative. I kow he is only young, but we need ansers NOW. Based on last ngiht, you'd have to have Lyon there.
4. Outside Backs. Last night our lack of size really showed up, as we were completely outmuscled by Morris and Naiqama. Stewart needs to bulk up.
At the end of the day, my worries start and end with out pack. Our front row is obvioulsy not talented enough, and our backrow is short on depth. We desperately need some young blood here, and playing guys like Cuthbertson is a must. Food for thought...............
