ghoti
Bench
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- 3,529
Just picking up on the main essence of most threads after the last two games...but 90% of the forum wants widespread changes and the coaching staff will persevere, so what's the logical way forward? After setting up a squad for three months, it's a huge risk to made sweeping changes and introduce a poorly prepared new squad two games into the season without any preparation...so I do think the coaching staff would be right in persevering. But it doesn't seem to be working either. I think persevering with progressive changes in positional play is the right way forward to rescue the season..
Our main issues are:
- Poor kicking game
- Cramping ball runners out wide
- No ball playing threats in the middle
- Stagnation with forwards playing too many minutes
- Errors
Kicking game is hard to get around considering our lack of personnel who can do the job, though Murphy's kicking game is stronger than both Robson and Barba's. I'm hoping by mid-season he has the confidence to come through and maybe replace Robson at 7.
Ball runner issues has a lot to do with the halves, but also with Graham crabbing at the edges and Gallen stalling the sweeps by wanting to get involved as a pivot. To get around this, Gallen to move to the front row and Graham to come into the centre as a roving lock, which also helps the ball playing aspect from the middle. He won't handle the hit-up demands of a modern lock, but who says we have to fit the modern mould?
Issues with ball playing in the middle also has to do with Gordon standing too far wide and wanting to play as a traditional injected runner mould of fullback. That role in our squad, with guys like Lewis, Toops and Boogs, is filled by second rowers - and we need to play them angular, rather than the Gallen/Heighington/Graham hold and play style of backrower which isn't working. Barba needs to play like a modern day fullback, with the half (Robson or Murphy) working with Graham in the centre as the attacking hubs.
Forwards need to rotate often to keep the spark up, especially with the pace of the rucks. Considering this, I think the game this year is partially about mobile forwards, but there is just as much traction in having a few giants who are kept fresh to take advantage of tiring halves, hookers, etc. So that means Tagataese, the Fifita's, Gallen rotating around for 20 minute spells a piece.
And, as most have identified, Gordon isn't the fullback to do the job, but he's still the best one for it for now. Alternate with Holmes until he's ready to go to the back, and Gordon can fight out for the wing spot with Gagan, or shift to centres.
So my team for mid-season 2015:
1. V Holmes
2. M Gordon / J Gagan
3. R Leutele
4. G Beale / S Saulima
5. S Feki
6. B Barba
7. T Murphy
8. P Gallen
9. M Ennis
10. D Fifita
11. A Tupou
12. L Lewis
13. W Graham
14. J Robson
15. J Bukuya
16. A Fifita
17. S Tagataese
Our main issues are:
- Poor kicking game
- Cramping ball runners out wide
- No ball playing threats in the middle
- Stagnation with forwards playing too many minutes
- Errors
Kicking game is hard to get around considering our lack of personnel who can do the job, though Murphy's kicking game is stronger than both Robson and Barba's. I'm hoping by mid-season he has the confidence to come through and maybe replace Robson at 7.
Ball runner issues has a lot to do with the halves, but also with Graham crabbing at the edges and Gallen stalling the sweeps by wanting to get involved as a pivot. To get around this, Gallen to move to the front row and Graham to come into the centre as a roving lock, which also helps the ball playing aspect from the middle. He won't handle the hit-up demands of a modern lock, but who says we have to fit the modern mould?
Issues with ball playing in the middle also has to do with Gordon standing too far wide and wanting to play as a traditional injected runner mould of fullback. That role in our squad, with guys like Lewis, Toops and Boogs, is filled by second rowers - and we need to play them angular, rather than the Gallen/Heighington/Graham hold and play style of backrower which isn't working. Barba needs to play like a modern day fullback, with the half (Robson or Murphy) working with Graham in the centre as the attacking hubs.
Forwards need to rotate often to keep the spark up, especially with the pace of the rucks. Considering this, I think the game this year is partially about mobile forwards, but there is just as much traction in having a few giants who are kept fresh to take advantage of tiring halves, hookers, etc. So that means Tagataese, the Fifita's, Gallen rotating around for 20 minute spells a piece.
And, as most have identified, Gordon isn't the fullback to do the job, but he's still the best one for it for now. Alternate with Holmes until he's ready to go to the back, and Gordon can fight out for the wing spot with Gagan, or shift to centres.
So my team for mid-season 2015:
1. V Holmes
2. M Gordon / J Gagan
3. R Leutele
4. G Beale / S Saulima
5. S Feki
6. B Barba
7. T Murphy
8. P Gallen
9. M Ennis
10. D Fifita
11. A Tupou
12. L Lewis
13. W Graham
14. J Robson
15. J Bukuya
16. A Fifita
17. S Tagataese