Half Time Report : Mon Jul 01, 2024 10:20 am  

We have now played every team once this season, so I thought it would be interesting to see everyone's thoughts on how they fell it has gone so far, areas we can improve, which teams will be a threat in the 2nd half, who will make the play offs etc

Re: Half Time Report : Mon Jul 01, 2024 10:59 am  

Toulouse away is the only game I think we could potentially lose as they seem to have improved from early season jitters. Home advantage in the grand final will see us win the league

Re: Half Time Report : Mon Jul 01, 2024 11:45 am  

financialtimes wrote:

Toulouse away is the only game I think we could potentially lose as they seem to have improved from early season jitters. Home advantage in the grand final will see us win the league

I feel similar. I think Toulouse away is the only time we could drop points as they’re going well and the only other full time team.

Toulouse will be wanting to beat us in the final for sure. They will be the biggest threat.

As for Trinity, think we are going well. We lack a bit of punch with Rodwell out as the combination of Rodwell and Uele is brutal.

Would like to see Walmsley get more game time on the wing. Olpherts is going well but with an eye on next season I’d like to see more of Walmsley on the left wing where he was scoring for fun.

Harvey Smith looked good so I’d like to see more minutes for him second half of season for a few games.

Bain is a cracking tackler but seems like he’d be more suited to 13 so I’d like to see him play there.

I’m happy though. Things are going well and I’m enjoying it.

Re: Half Time Report : Mon Jul 01, 2024 12:22 pm  

I think with the recent players they have brought in Bradford away will be another good test as well as Toulouse away as mentioned.

Re: Half Time Report : Mon Jul 01, 2024 12:31 pm  

Errors and penalties are our potential Achilles Heel and will be the reason if/when we lose a game. Teams struggle to make metres against us and the majority of the favourable field position comes from one of those two areas. I'd also like to see us smarten up the attacking play. As we can steamroller most sides, I feel we neglect the skill somewhat to go for power, making us a little predictable. The cut-out pass to the left is also something that will be countered by opposition coaches so we need some variation.

All in all, 13 wins from 13, 1 trophy, just 5 aways games in the run in leaves us nicely set up.

Re: Half Time Report : Mon Jul 01, 2024 12:41 pm  

Khlav Kalash wrote:

Errors and penalties are our potential Achilles Heel and will be the reason if/when we lose a game. Teams struggle to make metres against us and the majority of the favourable field position comes from one of those two areas. I'd also like to see us smarten up the attacking play. As we can steamroller most sides, I feel we neglect the skill somewhat to go for power, making us a little predictable. The cut-out pass to the left is also something that will be countered by opposition coaches so we need some variation.

All in all, 13 wins from 13, 1 trophy, just 5 aways games in the run in leaves us nicely set up.

Agree getting very predictable in the way we are playing ,still a lot of work to do to get us up to S L standard ,never mind a top 7 team

Re: Half Time Report : Mon Jul 01, 2024 1:09 pm  

alegend wrote:

Agree getting very predictable in the way we are playing ,still a lot of work to do to get us up to S L standard ,never mind a top 7 team

Is anyone expecting us to be at that level this season? I'm certainly not.

Re: Half Time Report : Mon Jul 01, 2024 1:21 pm  

financialtimes wrote:

Toulouse away is the only game I think we could potentially lose as they seem to have improved from early season jitters. Home advantage in the grand final will see us win the league

I watched Toulouse play Fev on French TV, despite not having the biggest pack Fev did make plenty of metres down field but ultimately dropped the ball too many times to take advantage. The second half of the game became a penalty fest with both sides losing their discipline, in Fev's case it was pure frustration with their errors but Toulouse were dumb they were 14-0 up, and under no threat, yet gave away cheap penalties for really niggly stuff.
I think the temperature is going to be the big factor when we play there.

Re: Half Time Report : Mon Jul 01, 2024 1:25 pm  

alegend wrote:

Agree getting very predictable in the way we are playing ,still a lot of work to do to get us up to S L standard ,never mind a top 7 team

Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Re: Half Time Report : Mon Jul 01, 2024 1:40 pm  

upthetrin92 wrote:

I think with the recent players they have brought in Bradford away will be another good test as well as Toulouse away as mentioned.

Toulouse play Bradford this Saturday in what could be a really interesting encounter. Do people know all of Toulouse' home games are available free to view on Via Occitane TV, I will try and post the link when I can, the coverage is ok but the commentary is in French, it got a bit annoying this week as they kept talking over the ref mic who was speaking English