Okay so my view of the game, was a poor display first up. The score is not the issue, the way we played is.
I grant we had our two highest paid players missing, however they have played with the club for a long time and have proven themselves, I was not looking for their performance.
I thought the halves combination didn't get a great deal of time to settle down, for a number of reasons, our handling errors, decisions and execution let us down in the lead up for most of the game and we failed to put any pressure on the tigers in their own 20.
The first try was from a Sandow kick that Esi took, but a few kicks before that were taken by Ben Roberts, and while I am loathe to say his kicking game was like anyone’s, I would have to say it was more Daniel Mortimer like than I was comfortable with, most kicks found the backs on the full with our chase still 20 metres away. After Sandow got injured we looked rudderless.
Most have said the back row was an issue, I would say the back row and most of the right hand defensive edge had defensive difficulties all night.
Taulima Tautai has continued his run as handling error champion, one of his major weaknesses was his handling when he left and that was again proved true Saturday night, while there were many handling errors from both sides, I could only count two clean catches from Tautai.
Horo was I think trying to play like a 13, but I don't think he has the skills to be a first grade 13, and Reni Matuia will slide straight back into the side.
All in all, I had to say I was disappointed with the performance. It felt like a low intensity display, with little structure and direction. So much so I have to wonder if there was any direction from the coaching box on set plays or event set positions.
The Tigers did seem to appear to have some structure and several times their structure lead to their breaks, and the backing up from it.
The front row did what was expected, but without a real standout, amongst them. Fui seemed a little down on intensity but again it was a trial. JP seemed to be chasing everything down he could.
We will see how our players perform next week and for the weeks after and I hope for improvement.
. all good only trials lol.
