you're exactly right you have an amazing backrow, but one which I believe we have the ability to compete with but when a team like ours carries outside backs with the size, strength and about twice the speed of any forwards in the comp than I'm sure you'll realise that you'll need to do a little more than just carry a formidible forward pack.
Stagger, as mentioned in posts before Christmas.... this has been the basis of the tactics I would be applying if I was coaching the Eels. I would be using Robson and Mortimer to direct the attack in such a way to pull big defensive forwards apart (as Souths now have) and stretch them out across the park into staggered defensive lines. We do this by the fast play the balls and the 2nd phase plays we would employ.....
Forwards like Fui and Poore denting the defensive lines (with Cayless, Hindy, Mannah etc, assisting) providing fast play the balls, speed men running at lines at the forwards to keep the defending forwards unable to meet at the play the ball and then with staggered defensive lines in place (after 1, 2, 3 or 4 tackles), setting off forwards running and turning at the line, at speed, setting off 2nd phase plays (balls back to Robson, Mortimer, Mateo, Keating/s, Burt, etc) and having our big fast backs at speed then getting these balls while running at lines (often at angles), (either side of the ruck and even up the middle if Robson or Mortimer dictate) and then either after bursting through the staggered defensive lines and scoring or offloading to speed men (or those with great fends) following them through and then offloading to our mobile backrowers or fast backs or halves and scoring. Kicks through or over the line will be employed too instead of offlods or crashing through defenders.
In a game against teams like Souths, who controls the ball the best for 80 minutes will most definitely tire out the opposition forward pack and go on to win the game. DA & trainers will have the Eels forwards fitness even better than last year.
Souths may play well 2010 but if the Eels play well too, they will run right over the top of the Souths pack in the last 10 minutes (even the last 15 to 20 minutes). It's the Eels big fast backs, wide expansive game (even in wet weather) and huge array of attacking arsenal that brings undone all other defensive units in the NRL 2010.... all compliments of tremendous fitness, never say die attitude and a calm cool organised disposition that defeats whatever is thrown at the Eels.
And then there is this awesome ability for Eels backrowers (and occasionally 8/10 props) to interchange with the backs anywhere on the park at anytime during a game causing absolute nightmares for all other teams to defend against. The Eels "natural unpredictability" and with a bit of titillation provided by DA & Co to help this skill be brought to fruition, players like Mateo, Fui, Cayless, Mannah, Smith, Hindmarsh, etc, will devastate back-lines. We all got a glimpse of what is coming 2010 during the 2nd half of the 2009 GF against the Storm.
There is no other team in the 2010 NRL competition that can match the Eels attacking prowess across the park unless News Limited instructs its referees to cripple the Eels attacking game and we ALL saw the net result of this despicable tactic at play in the 2009 GF.
