R20 | Knights 12-28 Roosters @ Hunter | Sunday 3.00pm

[Big Tim]

I hate it when people whine that the game has gone soft..... but it has.

The whole game was chippy, and unprofessional. players trying to get "one over" on each other within the limitations of the game. It was a disgrace. Coming in late, forehead rubs, overcrowding the man playing the ball, knees in the play-the-ball, slaps to the face, pushing...... it was horrid.

If they were able to swing a few punches the game would have settled after someone was penalised. As it was, the niggle and shit just continued and ruined any flow the game had.

The deliberate penalties inside their own 20m were also a joke. Not once did the ref's even threaten to send someone to the bin.

 

[Rod]

I hate it when people whine that the game has gone soft..... but it has.

The whole game was chippy, and unprofessional. players trying to get "one over" on each other within the limitations of the game. It was a disgrace. Coming in late, forehead rubs, overcrowding the man playing the ball, knees in the play-the-ball, slaps to the face, pushing...... it was horrid.

If they were able to swing a few punches the game would have settled after someone was penalised. As it was, the niggle and shit just continued and ruined any flow the game had.

The deliberate penalties inside their own 20m were also a joke. Not once did the ref's even threaten to send someone to the bin.

Very good point, I hadn't really made that connection but thinking about it, if they'd been able to throw a few we might have been able to get on with the game. Instead we had stupid niggly penalties all game and a bunch of near dust-ups where players just run in and grab each others collars.

I've said this several times already but the way the refs dealt with the discipline of the Roosters in the last 20 mins was pathetic.

Not that we were completely innocent of course, that whack Smith gave JWH was extremely niggly too.

 

[Nuffy]

Chris Houston is a prop btw. Made the most metres yesterday as well.

I forget to mention Houston, I thought he really stepped up yesterday after Mason departed.

Usually he gets dominated in tackles but yesterday that didn't happen.

If he could turn in yesterdays game regularly, he'd be a real asset and worth keeping.

 

[Nuffy]

We do need to work on our left to right shift, I thought that Gagai would be putting Uate into more holes but that hasn't happened yet, they suffer a little because Boyd doesnt do the left to right as well as he can with the right to left.

I hope the club has Gagai working with the Dog or even the CEO regularly to help him develop his play because Uate isn't getting anywhere near as many chances as Jimmy and thats a waste.

 

[The Showstopper]

Don't know what Wayne has done to Houston's game but he is a totally new player. He runs harder than ever before and tackles with more aggression. He was outstanding and i would consider him to start at prop on Friday he was that good.

 

[Big Tim]

Very good point, I hadn't really made that connection but thinking about it, if they'd been able to throw a few we might have been able to get on with the game. Instead we had stupid niggly penalties all game and a bunch of near dust-ups where players just run in and grab each others collars.

I've said this several times already but the way the refs dealt with the discipline of the Roosters in the last 20 mins was pathetic.

Not that we were completely innocent of course, that whack Smith gave JWH was extremely niggly too.

It was pathetic. They knew they would cost their team alot if they swung, so it resorted to sibling type rivalry. Doing the niggle and dirty stuff to get a response.

We do need to work on our left to right shift, I thought that Gagai would be putting Uate into more holes but that hasn't happened yet, they suffer a little because Boyd doesnt do the left to right as well as he can with the right to left.

I hope the club has Gagai working with the Dog or even the CEO regularly to help him develop his play because Uate isn't getting anywhere near as many chances as Jimmy and thats a waste.

You dont give enough credit to Joey and Rochow. The lines they run open up that pass to Jimmy. They are genuine threats.

Dane and Aku are too structured (crazy, I know) Dane is trying to beat his man on the outside, and draw the winger. The defense slides, Aku stays on his wing and the right side backrower isnt a damaging option.

If Aku would come "under" Dane when he went outside he could pose more problems for the defense. Right now there is no doubt for the defender.

 

[1qaz]

Boyd has always struggled to pass left to right and draw in the opposition on the right edge.
All the tries at the Dragons were scored down the left side as well.

 

[Joker's Wild]

How good is it to see a confident Aku under the high ball. He is getting safer and safer with each game

 

[Big Tim]

How good is it to see a confident Aku under the high ball. He is getting safer and safer with each game

Amazing what a long range try can do....

 

[Big Tim]

Boyd has always struggled to pass left to right and draw in the opposition on the right edge.
All the tries at the Dragons were scored down the left side as well.

Agree, but the right side isnt offering anything else, so the defense just slides.