So overall, a pleasing amount of energy and effort in the second half. Maybe it was Ryles' half time talk, maybe it was Smith - but that's the threshold we should aim at for 80mins, not the shit we dealt up too often in the first half.
Our spine is really inexperienced - Iongi, Hawkins, Smith - and trying their hearts out, and will get better with each run. One notable and departing exception though - Brown really can't do anything of note unless the conditions are created for him by others. I'd persist with starting Lussick for 30mins to soak up the niggle, and then swap him out for Smith 10mins before halftime through to the end of the match.
Lomax was immense, and hopefully that effort will be infectious to the guys who aren't beyond saving. I think JAC will add similar energy on the other side, hopefully that lifts Penisni's game too, and more important his decision making. Samrani is a year or two away, and I expect we'll see Simonssen return to first grae alongside Lomax from next week, with Russell as the back supersub during rep season (Lomax) and if anyone cops an injury.
Forwards - Paulo played well in teh forst 20mins, but I think he is a max 40min per game player now (like Fisher-Harris, nothing wrong with that). Our front row rotation is then Williams, Offa, and (eventually) Matterson - but Tuivati will do for small stints in the meantime. Doorey's solid enough as an option to allow Hopgood and with a bit of shuffling any of our edges a break. Lane (post 2022 form) and Kautoga (despite efforts) are ordinary pair of starting edges though...
0-3, and while yes Moses is missing he isn't teh answer to some of the stuff that lets us down out there... the individual defensive lapses and variable energy in the first half of games.