Blunt Barrett says Sharks are in danger of sinking GREG PRICHARD
March 1, 2010
Cronulla captain Trent Barrett didn't try to hide his frustration with his team's poor performance in its final trial before a first-round NRL showdown with Melbourne.
The veteran five-eighth played the first half against Wests Tigers at Gosford on Saturday night and watched the second half from the grandstand - and it didn't look good from either angle in the 36-12 loss.
''We dropped too much ball in the first half and we didn't control the ruck,'' Barrett said. ''[Tigers hooker] Robbie Farah cut us to pieces. It was a carbon copy of last year, when they towelled us up at Cronulla [56-10 in round 23]. I'm very disappointed with that. I know it's only a trial, but there's not many positives to take out of it, for us.
''A few players did some good things, but we're going to have to work really hard between now and the start of the competition. We're going to have to put our heads down and really rip in, because we play Melbourne, who are the premiers.
''There were bits and pieces in the second half that we could be happy with, but you can't lose control of the ruck like that. It was there for everyone to see.''
Earlier in the week, Barrett talked up Cronulla's chances of making the finals, after finishing 15th last season. He pointed to the forward pack and the potential of the young players as team strengths, and added the rise of the Bulldogs from wooden spooners in 2008 to second going into last year's finals proved it was possible.
But it was evident that even though Sharks coach Ricky Stuart trialled a lot of players against the Tigers and the team was without its inspirational lock Paul Gallen, they need a lot of improvement if they are to rise at all.
It remains to be seen who Stuart will pick as starting halfback for the first round, with Scott Porter and new signing Albert Kelly getting time against the Tigers. ''Albert did some good things,'' Barrett said. ''And then 'Ports' came on with his good kicking game. We've got some good young players coming through, and there's 'Gal' to come back for the first round, which will obviously give us a lift. But we need to control the footy - you can't turn over that much of it and hope to win.''
The Tigers were way too good for the Sharks despite being without chief playmaker Benji Marshall, who was rested because of an ankle injury but will be fit for the first-round game against Manly at the SFS on March 15. Marshall's absence gave rookie Robert Lui, who played four first-grade games towards the end of last season, the chance to shine, and he took it.
The club has been looking for the right halfback since Scott Prince left at the end of 2007, and Lui could be the answer. ''It was a good opportunity for Robert to take a bit more control, and I thought he was great,'' Farah said.
Sydney Roosters beat Parramatta 40-14 in the late game of the double-header at Gosford, with new Roosters recruit Todd Carney continuing to impress in his switch to fullback.
''I'm pleased with the way things are going,'' Carney said. ''But I'm the harshest judge of my own game, so I'm looking at the negatives I need to work on. If I fix the negatives, hopefully the positives will keep coming.''
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...s-are-in-danger-of-sinking-20100228-pb62.html
