Could not get to Wigan : Tue Mar 13, 2018 2:54 pm  

Luckily as I was unable to get to Wigan I was able to get a match report from my son who knows a great deal more than me concerning RL ( hard to believe I know ), for what its worth he made the following observations :

- First 30 minutes were a great advert for the game, fantastic Rugby played by two good, equally matched teams.
- Ref was brilliant in first 30 minutes, very few penalties
- Our game management in first half was excellent, keep it simple when necessary and played more expansive Rugby at correct time and right part of the field
- Randal really improves our defence
- Miller floated around a bit, not direct enough
- Ref had a complete change of approach after 30 minutes and started to penalize and became to pedantic this carried on throughout the second half spoiling a great contest ; players started to try and win penalties which is the biggest fault with our game
- Coaching staff may have cocked up when substituting Arona with Horo, it did not luck like Arona was injured - we were defending our line - as a result we got our marking wrong, possibly confused as new player on the field resulting in a huge gap for Tautai to stroll through. Basic rule ( to add to always take the two, is only put a sub on when we have the ball )
- Arundel is a better defender than Lynne and works better in defense with BJB.
- It looked like we were very unlucky with the forward pass disallowed tries ( that said not easy to tell from behind the sticks )

All in all another strong, encouraging performance that highlighted that we as fans have a lot to look forward to as we have a good team that is giving their all.

My questions are, does anyone think that Rocky should be given a start at 6 as he his direct and a good game manager, is Miller a better option coming off the bench

Anybody else agree that Arundel should start against - Wigan , Leeds, Saints, Hull, Cas as he is our best defensive Centre.

Should Fafita start ? I have the impression that his most effective games are when he comes off the bench and often is utterly devastating, i like it when Huby and England start and then we unleash the Fafita beast.

Re: Could not get to Wigan : Tue Mar 13, 2018 4:02 pm  

Agree with Arundel

You are going to be in trouble with the spelling of Fifita

Re: Could not get to Wigan : Tue Mar 13, 2018 4:04 pm  

Nice rework of the John Harbin's Dad routine.

MC can re open the thread in two years time and your son gets to feel a tool.

Re: Could not get to Wigan : Tue Mar 13, 2018 5:26 pm  

One thing I said at the game and after is that although bishop and Lynn seemed to be the most potent attacking threat on the field the defence on that side was shaky to say the least. I’d be tempted to throw Arundel back in for Widnes.

Make no mistake though I do rate Lynn a lot.

Re: Could not get to Wigan : Tue Mar 13, 2018 5:30 pm  

To add to the above I’m not seeing much in Horo atm. His tackling technique looks a bit weak for me. I do like the fact he’s direct in attack though. I’d be tempted to give Arundel and batch a go.

Re: Could not get to Wigan : Tue Mar 13, 2018 5:36 pm  

Wish people would lay off Lyne he is far better than Arundel .Give him a break, just been picked for England reserves squad .I am more worried about the lack of pace at full back. Grix played ok under the high ball but did not have the pace to go though the gap. Every other team in S L seems to use the tactic of a F B with speed but not us. If you throw Finns lack of speed into the equation though he does a good job getting use round the field .It is essential that we have speed in the other backs to make up for this if we are after a top 4 finish.

Re: Could not get to Wigan : Tue Mar 13, 2018 8:16 pm  

That would be the same Scott Grix that ran around Robert Lui to score, when we played Salford !!

Re: Could not get to Wigan : Wed Mar 14, 2018 8:25 am  

I’d be bringing Arundel back in, thought it was quite harsh on the lad to get dropped for Wigan as he did enough for me against Hudds to earn a run in the side.
I don’t think Miller has hit his straps yet, but I’m not sure Hampshire is the answer at 6.
I hope Chester has a plan to bring Batch through and into the side, he needs some game time!

Re: Could not get to Wigan : Wed Mar 14, 2018 8:50 am  

FIL wrote:

That would be the same Scott Grix that ran around Robert Lui to score, when we played Salford !!

Because Lui is such a speedster

Re: Could not get to Wigan : Wed Mar 14, 2018 9:14 pm  

Bjb got a shot down the touchline well in to the 2nd half but got tagged.
I know pitches are a bit heavy right now but I couldn't help wishing TJ had had that same opportunity.
I think Wigan really looked after Tupou and TJ as far as opportunities were concerned.