Did anybody at the game notice that Kativerata left his winger outside him almost EVERY play? Breaks were made outside him at least two or three times, but not only that, so many times he looked like he was marking the centre rather than the winger. It was shocking.
Petersen didn't play too well but Jamie Lyon was worse. His defense was terrible, both positional and tackling. Just because he's an international doesn't mean he's immune to criticism, he was ordinary tonight, very ordinary, in every facet. At least Petersen didn't give up and worked hard in attack for the two late tries.
Burt as a fullback was a shocker, way too passive in defense. He'd wait for the guys making a break to get to him and force him to make a move, rather than force the attackers to push the ball. The chip over the top he should have got to first, and every time a line break was made he'd drop straight back, not to mention his sideways running only to get hammered and drop the ball. Back to the wing for Burty I have to say.
Vella was useless. I was hoping Smith wouldn't put him back on the park after his first effort. Two missed tackles, two tries. One was such a poor effort I don't think it even counted as a miss, more like a gentle caress. None of the pack could be bothered to get in there and work it out from our own line, leaving Kativerata to make useless dummy half runs (if you aren't good at something, don't do it!), then Petersen, Morris and co. to work it out from the line.
Hindmarsh was solid as always, every tackle he seemed to be there. Same with Cayless, the sin bin was harsh but deserved, other than that he was good out there, Cannings did some nice things too.
Dykes played a pretty good game for a guy in a side beaten by 30+. Towards the end when the dogs pack tired he really came into his own, if our pack can get it together and wear the opposition down without giving up 42 points Dykes will be dynamite for us this year.
I say go back to the standard backline. Ash Graham when he comes back, until then, persist with Burt. Then have Grothe, Lyon, Vaealiki, Petersen. Kativerata is dead weight, Petersen belongs on the wing. He did make a lot of tackles out there tonight, unfortunately he missed a few as well. Luckily he wont match up against Sonny Bill Williams every damn week. Then again, Vella fell off that bloke too...
That hurt tonight though, and it should hurt all Parra supporters. Why would you come out and say 'I told you so'? Why would you predict a loss for the side? Is that something to be proud of, you tipped your team to get done by a lot this week? While it may not be smart, a little blind faith now and then in supporting your side doesn't go astray. You seem to be enjoying trashing the performance of the team rather than realising if we keep this up for 26 rounds, footy ain't gonna be much fun this year.
