What have we learned from Aus? : Sat Feb 17, 2018 11:09 am  

Do we know any more than we did? Has the problematic right edge been sorted? Have any of our want away players shown the kind of ability that will get them a gig in the NRL? Was it worth it? Those of you of a certain vintage will be reading this in the style of a 1970s soap.

Re: What have we learned from Aus? : Sat Feb 17, 2018 12:17 pm  

Ultimately it’ll come down to profit and loss as to its success. The benefits on the field will be minimal, especially so considering they didn’t get a hit out against a full strength NRL team. It could cost us when we get back also but hopefully us having a fully fit squad will help keep players on their toes.

In regards to today’s game solely, I’d say only really Navarette and Mullen will come out with reputations enhanced. I don’t think many NRL clubs will be falling over themselves to tempt the likes of Gildart, Williams and Burgess over on that showing.

Re: What have we learned from Aus? : Sat Feb 17, 2018 2:05 pm  

Yes,if that was a shop window exercise then they all fell short,if nothing else though it sort of proved Wane right that most aren’t ready for the NRL,and showed us fans the super league is a long way behind the Aussie comp.

Honestly I don’t think anyone can put their hands up and say yea I did ok out there today,even Davies with his tries didn’t look as fluid as he normally does,so it turned into the kind of day we all hoped it wouldn’t in the end.

As for success who knows,I’d presume there will be an audit by the government agencies in aus to see the economic benefit of the tour,will there be another one? Gut feeling is no mainly because of the sheer cost involved and certainly won’t be if the Auckland nines goes ahead next season and a lions tour.

Re: What have we learned from Aus? : Sat Feb 17, 2018 2:11 pm  

What have we learned?

We dont have a right centre
We have no half back
Joe Burgess has gone from being one of the best wingers in SL with speed to burn to one of the worst.
Tautai is now ineffective and doesnt offer the impact that he used to
Leulaui is well past his sell by date
When O'Loughlin goes off we still look a shadow of the team we are when he is on.
With O'Loughlin off, close Williams down and we are lost in attack
NRL teams are still light years ahead of SL teams

Most of the above wont matter too much in the SL and we will still be there or there abouts although i expect the trip to see us struggle for the next week or two.

Re: What have we learned from Aus? : Sat Feb 17, 2018 2:22 pm  

Does anybody else wonder why we did not play/travel with alternatives for our most worrying position. People say that Mullen did well out of position but we travelled with four full backs so he was unlikely to get game time in position. Where were the centre alternatives given that Bateman travelled post injury?

Re: What have we learned from Aus? : Sat Feb 17, 2018 4:25 pm  

That it is getting to the stage where academy teams in the NRL could beat the best super league teams.

Re: What have we learned from Aus? : Sat Feb 17, 2018 7:10 pm  

Levrier wrote:

Does anybody else wonder why we did not play/travel with alternatives for our most worrying position. People say that Mullen did well out of position but we travelled with four full backs so he was unlikely to get game time in position. Where were the centre alternatives given that Bateman travelled post injury?

Wane obviously had more faith in Sarginson than he should have. To be fair though, he looks badly out of form and low on confidence. Although hes no world class player, he is better than the rubbish hes served up so far. He also looks badly out of place on the right, rather like a right handed person trying to write with his left hand.

Re: What have we learned from Aus? : Sat Feb 17, 2018 7:12 pm  

Quickening wrote:

That it is getting to the stage where academy teams in the NRL could beat the best super league teams.

True that,even with our first choice team out for the first 20 minutes, we hardly looked convincing.

Re: What have we learned from Aus? : Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:59 pm  

that the aussies have more money and resources

Re: What have we learned from Aus? : Sun Feb 18, 2018 12:09 am  

Quickening wrote:

That it is getting to the stage where academy teams in the NRL could beat the best super league teams.

Rubbish, if we’d have played our starters for the full game we’d have won comfortable.

Did alright against Cronulla’s first team last year didn’t we?