Crusher_Cleal
Bencher
Guys and gals, I had a great view of proceedings from near the half-way line in the Members stand last night. Here's my assessment:
What went well:
1. Taupau's running game was top-notch. He hit the line hard with intensity and energy, and showed the passion we needed in a marquee forward signing. He still goes missing for periods of time, but I was very encouraged what I saw. Being a former club he was obviously up for it - the standard has been set now for every week.
2. Walker showed signs of brilliance (what a try), but again goes missing for long periods of time. I was still encouraged by what I saw from him.
3. Brenton Lawrence looked awfully good out there, and bent the line with his runs. He must start next week imo.
4. Jake Turbo tackled hard and effectively all game, and never stopped trying. Seemed to play a lot of minutes. 46 tackles, great effort.
What didn't go well:
1. Myles looked very average out there, and even disinterested. This guy is meant to be a marquee signing, but you wouldn't even know it was Myles out there if any other name was on his back. I was pretty disappointed, even though he made 38 tackles.
2. The sliding defence was shocking - I felt they would score every single time they were down our end.
3. Our outside backs look woefully below-par. Matai tried hard but was generally ineffective. Lyon is a shell of his former self and wouldn't start at any other club I don't believe. I think we'd have more success with him at 5/8 and Walker out wide, but it won't happen.
Wiliame, no need to comment there. Tom Turbo tried hard (and picked up an ankle injury in 1st half which might have affected his game), but didn't add much at the back and at times didn't even chase hard for the kicks which came down his end. I'm not yet convinced by him as a fullback.
4. Barrett's strategy. This while 2 hooker policy needs to go - it's obvious Parcell must start. I'm also not convinced of Brown as a starting NRL forward.
What should change for Rnd 3:
1. Drop Green from bench, drop Koroisau from team, drop Starling to bench, start Parcell, bring Mateo and Symonds into squad. Consider starting Lawrence or Mateo.
2. Drop Wiliame for anyone.
What went well:
1. Taupau's running game was top-notch. He hit the line hard with intensity and energy, and showed the passion we needed in a marquee forward signing. He still goes missing for periods of time, but I was very encouraged what I saw. Being a former club he was obviously up for it - the standard has been set now for every week.
2. Walker showed signs of brilliance (what a try), but again goes missing for long periods of time. I was still encouraged by what I saw from him.
3. Brenton Lawrence looked awfully good out there, and bent the line with his runs. He must start next week imo.
4. Jake Turbo tackled hard and effectively all game, and never stopped trying. Seemed to play a lot of minutes. 46 tackles, great effort.
What didn't go well:
1. Myles looked very average out there, and even disinterested. This guy is meant to be a marquee signing, but you wouldn't even know it was Myles out there if any other name was on his back. I was pretty disappointed, even though he made 38 tackles.
2. The sliding defence was shocking - I felt they would score every single time they were down our end.
3. Our outside backs look woefully below-par. Matai tried hard but was generally ineffective. Lyon is a shell of his former self and wouldn't start at any other club I don't believe. I think we'd have more success with him at 5/8 and Walker out wide, but it won't happen.
Wiliame, no need to comment there. Tom Turbo tried hard (and picked up an ankle injury in 1st half which might have affected his game), but didn't add much at the back and at times didn't even chase hard for the kicks which came down his end. I'm not yet convinced by him as a fullback.
4. Barrett's strategy. This while 2 hooker policy needs to go - it's obvious Parcell must start. I'm also not convinced of Brown as a starting NRL forward.
What should change for Rnd 3:
1. Drop Green from bench, drop Koroisau from team, drop Starling to bench, start Parcell, bring Mateo and Symonds into squad. Consider starting Lawrence or Mateo.
2. Drop Wiliame for anyone.