Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jan 15, 2018 3:52 pm
Madderzahatter wrote:
One thing I remember Andrew Johns saying during a TV commentary (State Of Origin, I think) was that it's not always what the guys with the ball are doing that's important, but the guys who don't have it. How hard are the dummy runners running? Are they busting a gut to ask questions and getting defenders make wrong decisions? IMO that's been absent from our rugby for a couple of years.
Cas last year were all surging forwards, giving their halves options and confusing defences. Yes their play was quite structured, but it wasn't one-dimensional. Our style was too predictable whether it was the one-up rugby from the forwards or the pass out wide where Tomkins slots into the line. Far too often we looked clueless and lacking direction and now Tomkins, Escare, Williams and TL are all fit, I expect (and demand) that our play improves.
Cas last year were all surging forwards, giving their halves options and confusing defences. Yes their play was quite structured, but it wasn't one-dimensional. Our style was too predictable whether it was the one-up rugby from the forwards or the pass out wide where Tomkins slots into the line. Far too often we looked clueless and lacking direction and now Tomkins, Escare, Williams and TL are all fit, I expect (and demand) that our play improves.
I'd agree with this.
When we were at our best attack wise we still had the same structures that we use now. The difference was the option runners were running hard and looked like they may receive the ball.
Last year, the runners were still there, but they were very lethargic and relaxed, almost like in a training game. Our option running players knew the ball wasn't coming to them, and the opposition knew that as well. It was all so predictable. And thats the problem, it is possible to play with structure, without being completely predictable, but the option runners have to at least put themselves in positions and look like they are going to receive the ball.
