On the weekend, in a losing game, our second rowers and lock did the following:
Papali'i - 192m, 1 line break, 6 tackle breaks, 41 tackles @ 91%
Blore - 151m, 2 line breaks, 4 tackle breaks, 34 tackles @ 94%
Bateman - 116m, 52 tackles @ 93%
You need to go for a HIA.
No problem with Papali’i. His stats have been good all season and he was undoubtedly our best player by a long margin on Saturday night.
All his ball carries are now starting to be with the same vigour as what they were while he was at the Eels.
Blore also showed glimpses of what he is capable of on Saturday night and I have never doubted his ability.
JB does well with his stats, but are his ball carries anywhere near as strong and does he threaten to break tackles or make line breaks anywhere near as often as the other two ?
He’s a tough nut and I was excited about him joining us based on his form when with the Raiders.
But was concerned with many reports saying his form when playing with Wigan was well below what he showed at the Raiders.
After 16 rounds, I don’t know how anyone can say his form is comparable to other NRL back rowers earning anywhere near what we are paying him, we are not getting value for money.
If we are the complete team minus our halves which many seem to believe, why are we not winning more games ?
Yes sub standard halves make it difficult, that didn’t stop the Roosters or Eels from winning on the weekend as all their team mates lifted and ensured the win with their halves keeping it very simple and not having to do anything special.
There are plenty of problem areas in any team with only 3 wins by round 16, not just the halves.