Re: Pre season. : Mon Jan 23, 2023 9:27 am
I think it is important to remember that this was a first run out for the lads, for some like Clifford, Swift, Cator it is their first game for a very long time. Regardless of opposition it was never going to be a vintage performance.There was definitely positives to take away from the game. The first thing which became evident is that every player looked in very good shape. We have some absolute units in our side, but the likes of Satae and Tag looks much fitter then what we have previously seen, the proof of that being playing the full first half and still looking relatively fresh.
The second is Pace. Hoy and Dwyer in particular looked rapid. I can understand the comparisons made between Hoy and Field, especially in how they move. He has a couple of blunders which lead to tries but with ball in hand he will always have the defenders guessing.
I also thought the line speed was good, and even more impressive seen as the ref was keen oven giving a massive 10 most sets. There was some hits from the likes of Fash and Satae, and also Taylor. Easy to say in a friendly but it looked like he had a bit of fire in his belly for the game again.
Onto some negatives and one of them has to be the leaving ourselves short on numbers out wide. It wouldn't be as much of a worry if we hadn't struggled with this for a while. It is still early days for Smith so I am hopeful this can be rectified. There were some daft individual errors, but as a first run out in freezing conditions it can be forgiven.
Overall, a good run out. And credit to Sheffield, they have some good players and wouldn't be shocked to see them in the frame for a play off spot in the Championship.