They are so patchy. I think defending size is a huge problem for them. Especially wide. Paulo and PapaliI both exposed them. As mentioned above, they are both small, and you can usually hide one, but two becomes a massive challenge. They seem to also have massive issues reforming a line after a break. I keep hearing how Tedesco is the NSW fullback, but he really isn't closing down much at the back. He might be an attacking weapon, but that's only half the battle at origin. Tom T still has a lot to learn this area too. Fullbacks always get the raw end of the deal making a tackle as they are often up against someone at speed. The great ones find a way to make the try saver and brink them to ground or at least slow them to allow defenders to catch up. I'm not suggesting Teddy isn't a good player, most clubs would love him on the books. But he won't be great until he can close them down consistently. Yesterday was pretty difficult though, as most of the stuff happening was real close and soft, as well as being either poor reads or poor tackle attempts with adequate numbers.
Ball control against Canberra is essential. You need to complete, make them work hard and turn the around a lot with good long kicks that are chased hard. If you do that well for 60, you can chase them down quickly for the last 20.
After all the crap that happened the last few seasons between Farah and Taylor, I think they would have been wise to get rid of both of them. And anybody else who got seriously involved in that stuff. You need a united team. That whole Simona mess is hard to believe. 'I didn't know anything was wrong. I asked and he said he was fine.' The guy was inconsistent for ages. More often than not, there usually something going on outside that causes that. Wouldn't you take the time to work it out? If you see he has a few issues domestically offer help to them. The whole jersey and betting stuff is hard to tell, but I don't think working out that something was up with the way things worked in his relationship would have been hard. That's what a good coach would do. Take the guy under the wing and get to know him a bit better. Give him some help to be a better person.
Its not all doom and gloom, they played well in round 1 I thought. And Souths aren't a small side. I think if they can find a way to get Moses and Brooks defending well, perhaps on the wing, they would be a lot better placed. If they are going to defend 3 in, make sure whoever is on their inside is prepared to help cover.
