Trial vs Newcastle Thread

[emjaycee]

Our forward pack looks a light. We really do need some bigger front rowers. Wish we could get Paulo back...

Was good enough to get us into the top 4 last year and we have added 2 big boppers in Evans and Williams (when fit). Not sure what the concern is.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Was good enough to get us into the top 4 last year and we have added 2 big boppers in Evans and Williams (when fit). Not sure what the concern is.

And Taka moving into the pack gives us another different attacking point - taller forward with the ability to offload (similar to what Evans will offer).

 

[hineyrulz]

T boob coaching, all forwards run up the middle and are not allowed within 20m of the touch line.

Sounds worse than Bennett ball.

 

[T-Boon]

Halves are also cats for running at bigger, slower, tiring forwards, taking advantage of their more mobile and quicker skills - they should just run at the opposition halves!! f**ken cat halves !!

Haha, tiring forwards.
What is this the 1980s?

The whole reason this edge forward position group runs about a thousand decoy runs a game is that they don't get tired anymore. Thing of the passed.

In addition the reason the David and Goliath story is popular is the little guy beats the big guy. That is cool. The reverse in uncool.

 

[Stevie]

I thought we may be a little light on also but that is a really true comment re adding an extra couple of bodies. Makes me wonder, did our forward pack over achieve last year?
Will the Semi factor hurt us this year?

So many questions...

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Haha, tiring forwards.
What is this the 1980s?

The whole reason this edge forward position group runs about a thousand decoy runs a game is that they don't get tired anymore. Thing of the passed.

In addition the reason the David and Goliath story is popular is the little guy beats the big guy. That is cool. The reverse in uncool.

If forwards didn't get tired why do coaches replace them? Of course they get tired!!

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Prop rotation? Hmm. What's everyone's opinion on that?

With Ma’u, Takairangi and Edwards in the 17 how will Moeroa get any minutes at edge forward? He has the least skill of the four.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I like the idea because I like Moreoa but I have zero respect for the concept of edge forwards.

They are the cats of rugby league in my opinion. Build your game around running at halves and centres? Real brave.

It’s about creating a mismatch, which benefits the attacking team. Edge forwards are also targeted in defence by halves and fullbacks, for the same reason.

Think of them as the old inside centre, except with one on each side of the field.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Come round 1 though, Tep surely takes Matagi’s place in the 17.

I reckon plenty could change by round one.

 

[Gary Gutful]

If forwards didn't get tired why do coaches replace them? Of course they get tired!!

Particularly now as the number of interchanges continues to reduce.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Care to explain?
Am I mistaken about something. Isn't the edge forward running at halves? Am I mistaken in thinking they actually seek the halves out to run at?
My hatred of the position is actually based on two counts. Firstly, as I said it is a position based on cowardly/bully type principles and secondly their existence as decoy runners fugglies up what use to be a beautiful sight in the game - namely the backline shift.
It would be a step forward for the code if we found a way to get rid of the concept of the edge forward.

The backline shift was f**ked by professional, hard working defences filling space and putting pressure on runners. Decoys are an attempt to make defenders plant their feet, hopefully creating space around them.

 

[Noise]

Particularly now as the number of interchanges continues to reduce.

Has it? I thought it was the same as last year ..

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Hmm I guess I never thought of it but you certainly do simplify it. You are also assuming that Peni has fallen out of favour as when fit he was somewhat of a favourite of BA I thought but perhaps he has shifted out of the 17.

How do you reckon Taka will go?

I reckon he’ll kill it.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

If forwards didn't get tired why do coaches replace them? Of course they get tired!!

If they don’t get tired they’re not working hard enough.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

The backline shift was f**ked by professional, hard working defences filling space and putting pressure on runners. Decoys are an attempt to make defenders plant their feet, hopefully creating space around them.

Would be interesting to see stats of how tries are scored out wide ( from the half to winger), whether it is due to an actually missed tackle or a misread.

 

[T-Boon]

If forwards didn't get tired why do coaches replace them? Of course they get tired!!

They usually get interchanged at set times the times being set to avoid them being out on the field with any fatigue. Maybe they play for a set or two with signs of being fatigued but the coach will be all over that. When does a player miss a tackle out of fatigue these days?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I also think the term ‘misread’ is overused when talking about the defence. Usually the attacking team won the ruck and created an overlap. When faced with numbers, the defence knows there are too many attackers. All they can do is make a decision and hope the attacking team f**ks it up. In that situation the only misread is the attack bombing a try.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

They usually get interchanged at set times the times being set to avoid them being out on the field with any fatigue. Maybe they play for a set or two with signs of being fatigued but the coach will be all over that. When does a player miss a tackle out of fatigue these days?

It’s not missing a tackle, it’s failing to fill a gap. It happens fairly often.

 

[Twizzle]

Gower is gonna be pretty knackered after 2 games

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I also think the term ‘misread’ is overused when talking about the defence. Usually the attacking team won the ruck and created an overlap. When faced with numbers, the defence knows there are too many attackers. All they can do is make a decision and hope the attacking team f**ks it up. In that situation the only misread is the attack bombing a try.

Probably true for long distance tries (maybe from 30 or so metres out), however when attacking on the line, I say a lot of tries are from misreads as there really is no "ruck" to win.