I couldn't agree more, but just doing the same thing week after week won't bring about a change of fortunes. We need a circuit breaker, we need something to change. It's not possible to substantially change the roster mid season but it is a relatively straight forward process to change the coach. A new coach without any baggage can then change the selections, the game plan and the roster rotation. He can put all on notice (Not just pretend to like Toovey did) that they need to perform or go. Then and only then we might see a change in our fortunes. I am a huge fan of Toovey, but I hate the thought of the spoon more.
In my opinion Ralphie, comes down to a few things for us. The first and biggest issue is the play the ball ruck speed imo. We seem to to easily get dominated in the ruck. This allows the opposition defense to get set, and stop our roll forward and metre gaineage.
For this reason, we get hemmed down in our own half, and seem to struggle getting out of there.
Look at the really good teams like the Chooks - they play the ball at absolute speed and energy, and this sets the opposition constantly on the back foot. A player like Burgess or Mason running against a retreating defensive line would triple or quadrupal their output metre wise.
But you know what, I don't blame the forwards for that entirely. Guys like Taufua playing the ball like a snail, absolutely kills us, and the whole set of 6. In fact, Brett Stewart also plays the ball really slowly now as well. Matai and Lyon are ok. Hiku is dreadfully slow as is Taufua. Foran is average, and DCE is pretty good.
I've heard about Toovey speaking about the Chooks Post Hit Metres. Ours would be dreadful because of these slow play the balls and playing against set defenses. He spoke about how important it was.
The other issue is (and I love the player) Matty Ballin's dummy half runs. It's almost better that he doesn't try, or for the LOVE OF PETE, bring Hodges in 20 metres either side of the half break.
Ballin running three metres slowly, and playing the ball slow, again allows a defense to get set. He does this once every two odd sets of 6 in attack. That hurts us.
Defnesively, because the opposition focus on the play the ball, and the post hit metres these days, our defensive line is retreating, meaning opposition forwards look like they are rolling over the top of us. Again, it's a ruck speed issue - and we need to slow theirs down somehow - same as is done to us.
This is just my opinion of coarse, but get this right, man, we'd look like world beaters. Imagine guys like DCE, Foran, Lyon, Mateo etc with heaps more time on their hands.
Hiku & Taufua, play with more passion, aggression and speed you lumps !
