On the whole, it was fantastic to see us play for the whole game (a small spell in the first half aside) and not let our advantage diminish in the second half. Connor and Fonua (my MOTM) were excellent and are showing real signs of an outstanding partnership. Sneyd was immense again and pretty much played in a tuxedo the whole night. His goal kicking, and sorry to sound like a stuck record, but it's worth so many points on the table throughout the whole season - he's the most important player we've signed in the past few years in terms of what he offers to the gameplan.
To be top at this stage of the season, with injury issues, discipline issues, problems with playing 80 minutes, big defeats (especially at home) and not exactly firing on all cylinders is a real credit to the club, especially considering that in recent weeks we have seen youngsters in Fash, Litten, Downs, Turgut, Matongo all get really good game time.
The squad, as a direct consequence of these youngsters getting valuable game time and experience, plus the likes of Houghton, Ellis, Talanoa, Bowden and Watts (albeit for discipline reasons) having a bit of enforced rest, will be all the better for it and maybe we will be able to make this count as we reach the summer and autumn months, and go that one step further in the Super 8s.
Too many quality performances to single people out but Fonua amazing, Conner fantastic, Fash played like a man twice his size, Green leading from the front, half backs wow.................everyone was just superb!
didn't manage to watch the second half but sounds like a cracker, well done to the players and LR for getting them playing in the second half as they did the first 10-12 minutes. Manu's afters is horrible, should get two games for that in all honesty. Connor has really matured, think the responsibility he's being given has helped and LR should be applauded for that and connor for (so far) taking his chance. I really wasn't sure where he was going to get a game but he seems to have slotted in just perfectly in that right centre position.
As for Griffin, well he needs some game time, can he get a run out in the 23s? Certainly going to be tough at the moment not playing as he was the 'star' signing for us (before Kelly). Does he "deserve" another chance, bit of a silly question really, it's not whether one deserves it but if the coach thinks it's the right move for the team as a whole to stick him in X game. if he does then it shows faith and if he's had some coaching on a few aspects it's a chance to show the coach and fans and himself that's he's improved and ready to do the business.
I think talanoa will struggle to get back in the side, I would hope we are looking to bring someone through to replace him for next season, good as he has been his defence is much worse than michaels and I think keeping either could be a mistake in the medium to long term.
didn't manage to watch the second half but sounds like a cracker, well done to the players and LR for getting them playing in the second half as they did the first 10-12 minutes. Manu's afters is horrible, should get two games for that in all honesty. Connor has really matured, think the responsibility he's being given has helped and LR should be applauded for that and connor for (so far) taking his chance. I really wasn't sure where he was going to get a game but he seems to have slotted in just perfectly in that right centre position.
As for Griffin, well he needs some game time, can he get a run out in the 23s? Certainly going to be tough at the moment not playing as he was the 'star' signing for us (before Kelly). Does he "deserve" another chance, bit of a silly question really, it's not whether one deserves it but if the coach thinks it's the right move for the team as a whole to stick him in X game. if he does then it shows faith and if he's had some coaching on a few aspects it's a chance to show the coach and fans and himself that's he's improved and ready to do the business.
I think talanoa will struggle to get back in the side, I would hope we are looking to bring someone through to replace him for next season, good as he has been his defence is much worse than michaels and I think keeping either could be a mistake in the medium to long term.
The depth in the backs is much better this season. I'd rather have Griffin and Talanoa as our options to bring in than solely having only Naughton available. Tuimavave has been a revelation at centre and we look all the better for it.
Was concerned when I saw the two benches but to pull that off with Ellis, Houghton, Watts, Bowden and Talanoa all sat in the stands was special. Connor, Fash, Fonua all outstanding. Only April and we're just 2 wins off last season's safety points total of 20. Very impressive.
didn't manage to watch the second half but sounds like a cracker, well done to the players and LR for getting them playing in the second half as they did the first 10-12 minutes. Manu's afters is horrible, should get two games for that in all honesty. Connor has really matured, think the responsibility he's being given has helped and LR should be applauded for that and connor for (so far) taking his chance. I really wasn't sure where he was going to get a game but he seems to have slotted in just perfectly in that right centre position.
As for Griffin, well he needs some game time, can he get a run out in the 23s? Certainly going to be tough at the moment not playing as he was the 'star' signing for us (before Kelly). Does he "deserve" another chance, bit of a silly question really, it's not whether one deserves it but if the coach thinks it's the right move for the team as a whole to stick him in X game. if he does then it shows faith and if he's had some coaching on a few aspects it's a chance to show the coach and fans and himself that's he's improved and ready to do the business.
I think talanoa will struggle to get back in the side, I would hope we are looking to bring someone through to replace him for next season, good as he has been his defence is much worse than michaels and I think keeping either could be a mistake in the medium to long term.
I am often critical of you, but that's a good post. Thought Griffin did well in his brief spell, ran really hard.
Really pleased . thought fonua conner fash where terrific as was washy. Heck there all played well. Sneyd tackle on Hughes what a hit. Said at ht Kelly was quite and that he'd score second half. He scored two and he really is special. Shaul save under the high ball and defense top notch. Well done lads.
didn't manage to watch the second half but sounds like a cracker, well done to the players and LR for getting them playing in the second half as they did the first 10-12 minutes. Manu's afters is horrible, should get two games for that in all honesty. Connor has really matured, think the responsibility he's being given has helped and LR should be applauded for that and connor for (so far) taking his chance. I really wasn't sure where he was going to get a game but he seems to have slotted in just perfectly in that right centre position.
As for Griffin, well he needs some game time, can he get a run out in the 23s? Certainly going to be tough at the moment not playing as he was the 'star' signing for us (before Kelly). Does he "deserve" another chance, bit of a silly question really, it's not whether one deserves it but if the coach thinks it's the right move for the team as a whole to stick him in X game. if he does then it shows faith and if he's had some coaching on a few aspects it's a chance to show the coach and fans and himself that's he's improved and ready to do the business.
I think talanoa will struggle to get back in the side, I would hope we are looking to bring someone through to replace him for next season, good as he has been his defence is much worse than michaels and I think keeping either could be a mistake in the medium to long term.
Dont agree with the Talanoa point. Straight back in for me. Good post other than that though.
Second half performance (well once we'd got that Philbin break out of the way) was pretty much as good as you could ask for. Everyone of them deserves a mention but in particular Fonua was unplayable, Connor is making that right centre spot his own and Fash looked like a seasoned hard nosed prop. Put Houghton in that team to give us a bit more zip out of dummy half and to sure up the middle defence and we are going to be more than a match for anyone imo.