On the re-watch, we weren't that bad in the first half, actually better than them with less ball for the first 20, but a few crucial moments when we didn't execute and the Cowboys got a 14 point lead, late in the first half. They had a lot of ball (62%, and even after the game had 55% of the total ball) and were still a bit fortunate to be up by 14.
But it was disappointing from us, as we did shoot ourselves in the foot those few crucial times and it hurt on the score board.
The second half was a great "come back" from both the team, and some individual players.
We started the 2nd half with heaps of energy, just like the first half, but crucially Maloney converted it to points, unlike the first half (if only Feki got that first try! but it was a tougher chance than I gave him credit for on the re-watch). And we kicked on from there.
Fifita, Holmes, Maloney, Feki and Townsend all had some regrettable plays in the first half, but all did some crucial things in the second half, which showed some character. Fifita was a beast in the second half.
Brailey, Graham and Tagatese were mostly OK, Beale and Leutele were quiet, didn't see much play but didn't do anything wrong.
Heighington was strong starting at prop, Bakuya was great on his return, Latimore and Paulo continued to be great off the bench, so our "bit" players continue to perform.
Bird, Gal and Lewis were strong all game, all three lifting the team at various moments with their high energy plays.
Pretty solid team effort in the 2nd half, play like that and we can beat anyone. Just want to see that more often!
But it was disappointing from us, as we did shoot ourselves in the foot those few crucial times and it hurt on the score board.
The second half was a great "come back" from both the team, and some individual players.
We started the 2nd half with heaps of energy, just like the first half, but crucially Maloney converted it to points, unlike the first half (if only Feki got that first try! but it was a tougher chance than I gave him credit for on the re-watch). And we kicked on from there.
Fifita, Holmes, Maloney, Feki and Townsend all had some regrettable plays in the first half, but all did some crucial things in the second half, which showed some character. Fifita was a beast in the second half.
Brailey, Graham and Tagatese were mostly OK, Beale and Leutele were quiet, didn't see much play but didn't do anything wrong.
Heighington was strong starting at prop, Bakuya was great on his return, Latimore and Paulo continued to be great off the bench, so our "bit" players continue to perform.
Bird, Gal and Lewis were strong all game, all three lifting the team at various moments with their high energy plays.
Pretty solid team effort in the 2nd half, play like that and we can beat anyone. Just want to see that more often!
