Pack philosophy : Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:31 pm  

I’m sorry to start a new topic but hope it brings various strands together.
Looking at our pack what is the philosophy behind it?
We only have 2 “classic” prop forwards in Hill and Cooper.
We run with 2 lightweight second rowers who tackle but aren’t making any breaks.
We have 3 impact players, Philbin who puts in a big stint and then SA and BMM. Neither of those have played anything other than cameo roles. For all the praise of Sita lately, I don’t understand what he brings to the team.
The regular back ups are Davis and J Clark. I really admire Davis, but he is on the small side, which we could probably deal with if J Clark wasn’t in the same mould.
I hear a lot that JC does the “unseen” work, but is he actually worth a quota spot, I don’t think so.
Ben Westwood adds size and aggression, and if he isn’t fit we desperately need someone of that ilk to bring an injection of enthusiasm to the pack.
I understand that some of the signings were based on the reduction of interchanges, but if Fifita can put in big minutes why can’t BMM and co.
In other words our pack seems to amount to a jack of all trades and master of none, and it shows. Time for a re think on the recruitment front I think.

Re: Pack philosophy : Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:54 pm  

Maybe it's just me but Jason Clark is not very good. There I've said it.

Re: Pack philosophy : Tue Jul 16, 2019 4:03 pm  

I don't really get the use of our players.

If BMM and Akauloa can't do big minutes, get rid. BMM did it at Salford and I don't get why we hold him back so much.

J Clark, Hughes, Davis and Currie are all too similar. A couple of those in the team are great but not 4.

We desperately need the Ben Westwood of 10 years ago and a big nasty prop.

I like J Clark but it's hard to see what extra he brings to the team. It probably is a quota spot and money better spent elsewhere.

Re: Pack philosophy : Tue Jul 16, 2019 4:16 pm  

The game has changed. Impact props are useless

Re: Pack philosophy : Tue Jul 16, 2019 6:34 pm  

I don't think Sita even did 20 minutes as starting prop on Saturday. Contrast to Hilly who does 60/70 minutes regularly. We will soon need 4 props on the bench to cobble together 80 minutes out of them all.

Re: Pack philosophy : Tue Jul 16, 2019 7:02 pm  

BMM hasn't been fit since the day he aigned, and he's now had two close seasons to sort it.

Akuola? Yes watching him skittle the opposition is great fun, but I was.watching Bob Jackson do it years ago, 80 mins at a time, week in week out. Bit more of that please.

Elsewhere, J Clark has been a huge disappointment for me. Yes I'm sure he does loads of unseen work, but so does my local vicar and he's cheaper and could put a word in with god for us as well

Re: Pack philosophy : Tue Jul 16, 2019 7:59 pm  

There are only two simple principles comprising a successful pack philosophy,

If it’s our ball, get it up your jumper and charge.

If it’s their ball, then knock their f@ck&n heads off.

It has served us well in past glories

Re: Pack philosophy : Tue Jul 16, 2019 8:20 pm  

This is spot on

Our problem is more about props and general go forward than it is Dec Patton

Re: Pack philosophy : Tue Jul 16, 2019 8:21 pm  

Completely Agree on all the above, Jason Clark is ok at best from what i've seen. And i really like Davis but he doesn't have any impact, Sita i'm a massive fan of but like someone said with the interchanges being reduced he doesn't do enough minutes and neithers does BMM.
We need big solid props that put in the minutes and put in the hard work. Westwood will retire at the end of the season, i think Sita will go and it's been confirmed Tasi is going so straight away we are 3 props down. If Hull can sign the type of forwards they have for next season why can't we seem to find anyone?
Hopefully we have 1 or 2 props lined up and Gelling for centre if that ever actually happens?
We have 5 possibly 6 players if Sita leaves going at the end of the season and 1 player coming in, if we don't have players signed already just not announced or nearly signed i'd be very worried.

Re: Pack philosophy : Tue Jul 16, 2019 8:46 pm  

morrisseyisawire wrote:

BMM hasn't been fit since the day he aigned, and he's now had two close seasons to sort it.

Akuola? Yes watching him skittle the opposition is great fun, but I was.watching Bob Jackson do it years ago, 80 mins at a time, week in week out. Bit more of that please.

Elsewhere, J Clark has been a huge disappointment for me. Yes I'm sure he does loads of unseen work, but so does my local vicar and he's cheaper and could put a word in with god for us as well

Sorry even God couldn’t fix us, he is all out of miracles. If he could I’m sure he would point Westwood to the fountain of youth.