Re: Tonga v GB : Sat Oct 26, 2019 2:34 pm  

wrencat1873 wrote:

Though McGilvery, along with Bateman and Walmsley were our best 3 players.
Hall was excellent coming off our line but didn't look as solid as usual under the high ball.

The first 40 was one hell of a physical challenge, which we struggled with.
Improved in the 2nd half but, Tonga were the best side and deserved their victory.

Coote was bang average and Hardaker should be in the no 1 jersey next week, with Connor and maybe even Lyne coming into the centres, as Gildart doesnt look like he will be playing the next one.

Funny how we all see it differently, I though Walmsley was the worst forward on the pitch, no yards and easily cut down, maybe the stats will show differently but I don't think he's an international class prop.

Re: Tonga v GB : Sat Oct 26, 2019 2:46 pm  

What did Thompson do ,best sl forward, nothing!

Re: Tonga v GB : Sat Oct 26, 2019 3:48 pm  

cosmicat wrote:

What did Thompson do ,best sl forward, nothing!

Played on while injured ! Pop a rib cartlidge apparantly.

Re: Tonga v GB : Sat Oct 26, 2019 4:11 pm  

Fishermanscap wrote:

Funny how we all see it differently, I though Walmsley was the worst forward on the pitch, no yards and easily cut down, maybe the stats will show differently but I don't think he's an international class prop.

He seemed to get over the gain line with pretty much every carry and take some putting down.
Burgess was error prone as usual, Thompson got crocked, hardly his fault, Jones- I'm not sure about, Graham - always 9/10, Bateman was excellent, Hill 6/10.
So Graham and Walmsley for me were our best 2 props, Bateman, best forward - all this without any stats mind so, as you say, it just depends what / who catches your eye.
Of the backs, I thought both wingers did ok and made excellent yards, although they seemed to target Hall with some high kicks, which he had mixed results with.
Widdop, solid but not spectacular and Hastings poor first half but improved as the game went on.
The kicking game was similar to Trinity without Brough on the field - apart from a couple of repeat sets, where possession was then squandered cheaply.
We also failed to properly test their teenage fullback, which is criminal really.

Re: Tonga v GB : Sat Oct 26, 2019 6:02 pm  

Willzay wrote:

How are the fake Englishmen getting on?

Not as well as the fake Tongans.

Re: Tonga v GB : Sat Oct 26, 2019 6:17 pm  

Whatever they were, they were bigger, faster and more skilful than us.
I hate the fact we are coached by an Aussie and had a 1 and 7 from the same country, and who were bang average.
My wallet is smarting and watching that crap hurts. The Kiwis must be quaking in their boots.

[PopTart]

Re: Tonga v GB : Sat Oct 26, 2019 8:54 pm  

The Tongan deserved the win.

Thompson.going off hurt us a bit. We need some big hitters.
I thought Walmsley did well. Graham playing at 13 kinda took some of his go forward away. I'd have him at prop.

Ultimately the difference was that we made mistakes with ball in hand, turning the ball over cheaply and some poor last tackle plays.

I could easily see them bearing New Zealand but could get tonked too.

Re: Tonga v GB : Sat Oct 26, 2019 10:15 pm  

I thought we missed big Sam tbh. People can go on all day about him not being quite as good post RU but the fact is the bloke's still a force to be reckoned with. even with a knackered soldier last season he was still putting in 130meters and about 30 tackles per game. With Thompson getting injured and only Warmsley and to some extent Graham making meters we just didn't dominate in the front row or lay much of a platform at times.

Our kicking and last play options were confusing and poor, plus we seemed to love to defend because we kept giving the Tongan's ball after ball.

The choice of Hill above Watts looks inspiring now, although same could be said about Tom Burgess, but at least he's playing well for Souths.

Tbh when the teams were put up on the VT and I did a bit of who'd have have in my team, I was surprised by how few GB players I'd have had. i just hoped the time we'd spent together on training and at other times would prove the dividends.

Re: Tonga v GB : Sun Oct 27, 2019 12:07 am  

Let’s not kid our selves, they were stronger, quicker more skill full and wanted it more, we were second best in all departments

Re: Tonga v GB : Sun Oct 27, 2019 4:24 am  

Big lads mate wrote:

Let’s not kid our selves, they were stronger, quicker more skill full and wanted it more, we were second best in all departments

I think the crucial bit is wanted it, if you take that away there wasn’t much between the teams tbh. I don’t think Tonga would beat us in England. Not taking anything away from them but they won by a try in the end so no walk over.

I’m not overly dissapointed as Noble said GB did plenty right just not our day. So long as our heads don’t go down it’s not a crushing loss for me.