The case for Des' bench selection - Willo and Dunners both there

[Crushercleal]

The case for Des' bench selection - Willo and Dunners both there

I know we've all bagged Des for having these two guys together on the bench, but think about it this way - our backrow rarely comes off during the game, so basically we're only subbing two props. Why then have anything more than two props on the bench? They can just rotate themselves - King and Kite go off, two props come on, King and Kite go back on, etc. Dunners and Willo usually play at the end of the halves - Willo to tackle his heart out and relieve the backrow of some work, and Dunners to make yards against tiring forwards. It sought of makes sense in a way, and seems to be working. It looks like Des is playing to a set strategy here.

 

[Rex]

The case for Des' bench selection - Willo and Dunners both there

Can't say I'm a fan of Willow ahead of Cuthbo, but did you see Willow's tackle on Utai???

Utai was in the open expanses with no-one else to beat, and Willow smashed him front-on stone-cold. A dead-set try-saver.

 

[Crushercleal]

The case for Des' bench selection - Willo and Dunners both there

That was a PHENOMINAL tackle by Willo - you could have mistaken him for a certain Manly great in headgear. Would Cuthbo have made that tackle? Probably not. Not saying this is a reason to play Willo ahead of Cuthbo, but just saying that each brings something different to the table.

 

[CliffyIsGod]

The case for Des' bench selection - Willo and Dunners both there

Dunners offers nothing when he comes on and relieves Monas of hooker. See the kicking at the start by Monas at dummy-half? Had the Dogs' back three lost.

 

[Crushercleal]

The case for Des' bench selection - Willo and Dunners both there

I agree. It pained me to see Monas come off. Dunley does offer more of a spark from dummy-half though, but we lose a second kicking option, as well as more creaticity near the line. It also must be a bit demoralizing for Monas.

 

[CliffyIsGod]

The case for Des' bench selection - Willo and Dunners both there

But even his 'spark' of late has been lacking. Time to go, Dunley.

 

[SilentBob]

The case for Des' bench selection - Willo and Dunners both there

I agree. It pained me to see Monas come off. Dunley does offer more of a spark from dummy-half though, but we lose a second kicking option, as well as more creaticity near the line. It also must be a bit demoralizing for Monas.

I doubt it is demoralising, just about every hooker in the game gets relieved at some point.

 

[Crushercleal]

The case for Des' bench selection - Willo and Dunners both there

Yeah, but not a former captain and 80 min player. But I s'pose that's the way it's going these day.

 

[Rex]

The case for Des' bench selection - Willo and Dunners both there

Have you considered a reason why Monas can provide spark at dummy half is that he doesn't play 80 minutes non-stop?

Sprinters, not marathon runners, are better at making breaks.

 

[Nutzcraw]

The case for Des' bench selection - Willo and Dunners both there

Can't say I'm a fan of Willow ahead of Cuthbo, but did you see Willow's tackle on Utai???

Utai was in the open expanses with no-one else to beat, and Willow smashed him front-on stone-cold. A dead-set try-saver.

He'll do it all day... on ya willo