We looked good finally when we were going STRAIGHT! TPJ in the second half and Fai were doing it. Hard runs. Straight up and busting defenders one on one. When McGuire was at hooker he did the same thing! Just ran hard and straight. We rolled up the field that set of 6.
The rest of the game, our props were running sideways! Getting mowed down for 6,7,8m runs. Very poor output from our starters and McGuire. Too much lateral movement!
I read somewhere in the live thread someone say, "we need to go sideways more and give it to the backs " are you freakin kidding me??! That's all we looked like we were doing! We need to start coming up with some structured moves that go forward and not sideways. Our props are being taught bad habbits and aren't using their frames to run hard at all.
We are playing with poor shape and little depth. Our halves never got in the game because they were focussing too much on "improving" certain aspects of their game and I get that they need to.. but as soon as we start losing, they start playing irratic! Stick to what type out there to practise if you're going to waste your time trying to improve yourselves. It is after all a trial! Trial the things you've been practising all preseason now! Cause now you've only got two weeks to sort your shit out before you're again, treading water trying to keep up.
People are talking up Offa but I doubt you watched his defense... abysmal. He doesn't show any urgency or angst at marker. He's far too passive! He needs to learn controlled aggression and learn how to play in the team.
TPJ looked good as an impact prop. Glenn came on and fixed some of our defensive issues but i feel like he'd be best starting.. Thaiday as good as he's been in the back row might add more as a bench player.
All in all. Very disappointing. Our halves just can't be superior mentally. They play the scoreboard far too much. They let the opposition dictate their game plan too much.
We need a tactician. And fast
