Re: Squad imbalances. : Thu Apr 22, 2021 11:10 am  

We need a good attacking hooker who can distribute quickly and scoot some quick yards

Re: Squad imbalances. : Thu Apr 22, 2021 3:22 pm  

1315trinity wrote:

Totally agree.
Tanginoa if used right would be devastating out wide.
Arona never was a prop although he’s Trinity through and through and does his best in that role.
We’re two good props short.

I think in the two good props department you can say that about most sl clubs - despite tanginoa probably being better in second row and arona better at loose we currently have a complete pack fit and we can't burst our way out of a paper bag

Re: Squad imbalances. : Thu Apr 22, 2021 10:14 pm  

Kirmudgeonlyisback wrote:

At the moment think a large part of the problem is our lack of self belief. Yes the squad is unbalanced, could argue that arona is a bit light at moment etc etc but for me we need a leader on the field and a spark

We’ve had far worse playing rosters than this that have managed better win averages / mainly as a result of the sum total of the team being better than the individual parts

At the moment our issue is that the individual parts add up to less than the whole.

To me it’s a leadership and belief issue not tinkering with marginal differences in the squad

On the arona v crowther v westerman at prop - westerman is our best loose forward by a mile this season, crowther is a great squad player who fills in - would switching arona and westerman make any difference to the second half collapse or our inability to score tries - definitely not

Just said similar on the other thread. We're under performing, I still think we have an ok squad especially considering our lack of resources

[PopTart]

Re: Squad imbalances. : Fri Apr 23, 2021 6:43 am  

The 'Arona is too small' thing is just not true.

Stats against Sts
Made more tackles and more successful tackles than any other prop.
He made the same metres as Fifita in 5 less runs because his average metres gained was more than any other prop.
Same average gain as Walmsley actually.

You don't have to be big to be effective. He complements Fifita really well in my opinion.

Re: Squad imbalances. : Fri Apr 23, 2021 7:21 am  

PopTart wrote:

The 'Arona is too small' thing is just not true.

Stats against Sts
Made more tackles and more successful tackles than any other prop.
He made the same metres as Fifita in 5 less runs because his average metres gained was more than any other prop.
Same average gain as Walmsley actually.

You don't have to be big to be effective. He complements Fifita really well in my opinion.

My own comments about Arona is not that he is 'too small' - I too agree that size is not everything for a prop. It's simply that he didn't come to us as a prop and IMO is better further back. OK, we're well off in the back row and LF positions, but by putting Arona and Tanginoa at prop is masking over the fact we are a couple of props short.
Green has been disappointing but perhaps there's time yet for him, Time, however, is fast running out for the club to start getting some points on the board and for our forwards to be more competitive.

Re: Squad imbalances. : Fri Apr 23, 2021 7:28 am  

One of the best props I’ve ever seen Paul Gallen was 5:11 and 16 1/2 stone. Him in his pomp would of mullered anything in our competition giving away a lot of size to other forwards. You don’t need to be 6:5 and 19 stone to be a top prop, plenty of props kicking about who prove this. I think Arona is just a great player and plays effectively whether it be at prop or loose forward.

[PopTart]

Re: Squad imbalances. : Fri Apr 23, 2021 7:35 am  

1315trinity wrote:

My own comments about Arona is not that he is 'too small' - I too agree that size is not everything for a prop. It's simply that he didn't come to us as a prop and IMO is better further back. OK, we're well off in the back row and LF positions, but by putting Arona and Tanginoa at prop is masking over the fact we are a couple of props short.
Green has been disappointing but perhaps there's time yet for him, Time, however, is fast running out for the club to start getting some points on the board and for our forwards to be more competitive.

OK. I see your point. I agree he's better at 13 but that may be because when he plays 13 there is another prop on the field.
Playing him at 13 improves us in one area but takes away what Westerman does so I'm ok with him at prop for now.

Tanginoa is the best Sr we have so I would just leave him there I agree. Which I think is Chester's intention.