Vs Knights Rd4

[MKEB...]

While we had a good win against a terrible Knights team; I honestly think our Forwards can match or better most teams.

I don't want to take away what was a great win though. I think Tevaga has overtaken Roache in the pecking order. Ayshford has been a good pick-up. Gubb is a Gubb and will always be a crowd favouite. Vete continues to impress. Robson gives his all, but Tommy will be an upgrade when fit. RTS's las man tackling is woeful.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Wow. Just wow!
I had to check to see if the post had been edited. (It hadn't.)
Why aren't you leading the tipping comp?

Flukes. Honestly. I knew we'd thrash them but I wasn't confident after a 12 all halftime score

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Agree on the forwards, we're developing a good mix there, we've got an elite prop in Mutts backed up by a workhorse metre eater in Lilyman, two high impact bench props in Vete and Lisone and a defensive mongrel in crazy Charlie. We've got a gun hooker with a good young backup and a pair of elite international backrowers in Mannering and Hoff. If the backline and halves can chime in as well we'll go alright.
One thing I want them to fix pronto though is backing up, we must've had 3 offloads go to ground today simply be side we didn't have someone sniffing around backing up the ball carrier.

 

[Dr Crane]

After that first half we were extremely lucky that the Knights are dreadful.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

After that first half we were extremely lucky that the Knights are dreadful.

They have a lot of newbies, had 90 mins golden point last week which seems to affect teams the next week.

 

[vvvrulz]

Bittersweet. Garbage first half followed by running through a garbage team.
Funny how SJ clicks an extra gear against poor teams.

But we desperately needed to get that win and it's good to see the boys finally putting together some attack. It's not going to be enough though, there are only 2-3 games in the season we're going to have it that easy.

Liking our forwards a lot, but Luke is still fat and lazy and Robson is worrying as hell.
We're not going to get the spoon, I guess that's a plus.

Roosters next which helps, then a run of Manly-Dogs-Storm-Dragons that will really show us what we are.

 

[WithTheDawn]

We played well for the majority of the game and scored the points when it counted. It was a good win to come away with, but I won't read too much into it. More relieved that we managed a decent win. It would have been serious alarm bells if we dropped that one.

The Knights were pretty woeful though, I think the Roosters (despite their 0 points so far) will prove to be stiffer competition next week.

 

[Dr Crane]

They have a lot of newbies, had 90 mins golden point last week which seems to affect teams the next week.

Plus they're dreadful.

 

[Fufu Andronez]

They seemed too concerned with the wrestle imo.

Few decent players amongst a fair bit of rubbish in that knights squad though. Snowden couldn't even get a game wtf (unless he's inured)

 

[SpaceMonkey]

They seemed too concerned with the wrestle imo.

Few decent players amongst a fair bit of rubbish in that knights squad though. Snowden couldn't even get a game wtf (unless he's inured)

They're a bit like us for much of last year IMO. Not lacking talent but patched together and short on experience in key spots.

 

[Izz]

Quote from the end of this article, from Knights' halfback Hodkinson: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11612912

"In that second-half they did a bit of damage when they were going forward and they played off the back of that.

"In the first half they played a bit lateral and we found it a bit easier to contain but once they got a roll on it was hard to stop."

Play direct and fast, lads. Then lateral once the defensive line is compressed/going backwards. Is it really that hard?

 

[Penrose Warrior]

We don't know anything from that performance, against a side that is already a certainty for back-to-back spoons. They're so far behind the other 15 sides it's laughable.

Good performances across the board but so they should've been. It's very easy to get up for a game when you know you're better than the opposition, and it took us 40odd minutes to establish that dominance. Once that happened, an inexperienced side like the Knights was always going to fall over.

As soon as this side starts to play direct and through the middle, we have that many weapons that we should knock good sides over.

And there's enough winnable games before the bye that if we pick up our act, we could be in a decent position for our usual predictable mid-season up slope.

 

[TheDMC]

Yeah I wouldn't read too much into that performance, though great to get the win and entertaining too.
My key points

- If we were up against a good team our first half performance would have seen us beaten down and probably destroyed in the second half. Newcastle got worse and worse, made it easy for us.
- Probably the worst attacking set I have ever seen in the NRL was by the warriors at the 32 min or so mark - absolutely clueless.
- Backline defence improved somewhat - especially sliding out quicker - although Robson looks the easiest person in the world to fool with a pause/in step before blasting on the outside - he is so slow and looks as easy to mesmerize as a cat with toy mouse on a string.
- Robson has absolutely no clue how to play off a free wheeling Johnson - not that it is easy. But cutting in on Johnson in mid field when Johnson is stepping and drifting is not something Robson should ever do - and he blew a potential try late in the game with this. Johnson is always aiming to make space/numbers on the outside (when he running from midfield) so stay outside him ffs! Inside ball from Johnson is his last option if he can't make the space/overlap on outside - its the cop out play.
- Outside backs even though sliding out better still drift backwards too much giving easy meters and extra, and dangerous, space, that is a lack of confidence and not backing their speed to cover (maybe fair nuff!) - but that to me is such a no-no and must be addressed. Maintain the shape at worst, come up if you can (as they slide).
-Kata is going great guns - some excellent tackling.
- Mannering and Hoffman are too similar - one of them needs more explosiveness/skill in running/distributing. no spark.
- Forwards got better as the game went on, but were pretty weak in the first 30 mins - lacked intent. The young guys (Vete and Gubb) adding a lot of spark. We started that game way too slowly and lazily. They need to be way more fired up.
- Luke really is out of shape.
- If luke/robson/RTS/Johnson find some combinations and the forwards can have at least parity we could tear some teams up.
- Either the team is not coachable or our coach is pretty f**ken average.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Quote from the end of this article, from Knights' halfback Hodkinson: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11612912

Play direct and fast, lads. Then lateral once the defensive line is compressed/going backwards. Is it really that hard?

From the post matxh press conference it seems like Cappy list his shit at half time and had previously left the direction at half time to the players.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

most players had good games

but i havent read any manu should be in the forwards comments this week. is it becos we won?????

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Things we missing:
A structured attack inside the 20-30m zone.
Robson defensive reads inside our 20-30m
Players supporting/ following for second phase play.
A consistent kicking game.
Discipline in defense regarding penalties. (Ref a bit enthusiastic today)

Sure I've missed a few things.

But glad for the win and gives Cappy a bit of breathing room.

great points phil