I just wish they'd try moving up in defence and hitting hard instead of standing back and sliding.
I think they might be surprised what a difference this makes.
We lack AGGRESSION. Pure and simple.
That's my point...
They are standing back and sliding (being passive) because pushing up and being aggressive requires a decision to be made. If you come up, you have to be sure who you're tackling, who you think will be getting the ball (decoy runner or out the back etc) and our players are afraid to make these decisions because of a lack of confidence.
Brian Kelly was ****ting bricks every time the play came near him because he didn't want to take the wrong man and let in a try, so he hung back to let the play unfold and got hung out to dry numerous times.
Sure there are other factors at play but...
If it was strictly a personnel problem, we wouldn't be losing to sides like the Dogs and Tigers because they have just as many if not more issues with their roster. OK, we are a couple of stars off being a premiership threat, but not a few stars off matching it with the also rans, so that excuse won't wash.
The other argument that
@Technical Coach put forward about the opposition exposing our weaknesses can be combatted by the number of tries Canterbury scored where we had actually numbered up and had players there to make the tackle but the opposition still scored. That's not a defensive structure issue or losing the ruck problem, that's a decision making problem as a result of a lack of confidence. The defenders were on the scene but didn't wrap the ball up or make a definitive decision. The Dogs also got down our end through penalties in the first half, not from tearing the ruck to shreds up the middle.
Finally, the leadership issue that
@Chip and Chase has bought up. I think there is some merit to it, in the sense that a strong leader can help combat the confidence crisis in some ways by staying strong through adversity...we might not have that type of leader at the club currently...it's hard to say....probably not. Chez has done a fair job at times but generally when things are going our way. We need a fighter...it'll be Jake T one day but he might need some help at this stage.