I think the defense does deserve a wrap and no it still isn’t good enough but let me explain why.
This team tried its guts out and yes they were affected by some rough decisions but the difference was the coach, plain and simple.
Every time the team got a roll on, he subbed someone off. One of the forwards looks good? Sub him off. Turps was holding the middle together and providing a fantastic platform for the attack, sub him off.
The team defended so much and so well in that second half and kids like Haas and Carrigan are exhausted and starting to drop off tackles, leave them on. Luke is having a shocker, leave him on. Sub out BOTH hookers from last week because you know, to hell with continuity!
Coates an absolute weapon in the air, kick to him once. Go into the press conference and praise it as a great performance. The guy is a deadset loser, LITERALLY.