Ok rewatched the game to my wife’s digust:
Has Sam F lost weight? Maybe it’s his hair. Was quieter than usual maybe on purpose - doesn’t look in same condition as last year? Didn’t play bad just didn’t do much. He defended well when I watched again. He would have scored a try with that run at the line early second half last year. Did cop a whack to leg as he built momentum though.
Mason returning the ball especially broken play is great. He is a good ‘problem’ to have. Can fill in anywhere in the backs
Add Turuva 💪 out of the back
Twal better than baby giraffe. Best running game in a while. Looks good behind new look pack. Add api and it’s exciting. Need a tough backrower … as stated here for a long time. Baby giraffe gets bent all the time. Adds nothing in attack.
Bird was great. Just hope he stays fit. As others has said he brings the attitude we need
Players excitement at Hopes try was great. Matterson hopeless defence there. Also celebration on Skelton whack was great.
Kit - what is the make up of the starting pack? Baby giraffe for defence but I’d like Kit in the 17. Is he back up impact if Royce / Pole et all get injured?
Royce was good in what I believe was very limited mins - injured?
Fataape was good but his hands were poor tonight
May is such a great signing - We will not lament the pillow
TDS had an average game save for decent passing. T Hope looks tougher atm.
I think latu 14 for now. Can bird play a stint at hooker? Or who else other than Latu. I don’t think Latu is a Dene Halatau type - too much ball paying talent. I liked where he fit in last night. Must be in the side for me
Good to see Sione’s toe is ok - showing his footwork at the line
Second try eels was slick - the fullback that replaced gutho - thought staines should have pushed out as Toa had his man. I thought Toa had a decent game with not much ball (as expected with Doihie and LG)
Pole made a huge hit early second half - very strong runs / great footwork. What a beast!
Hope - great to know we have him - can’t play till rd 11 i see unless we make changes
A couple of flat passes - yes marginally forward - could have been 2 to 3 more tries - Galvin to Latu to Bird was slick. Eels bombed a number of tries too
Eels ball control / overall game was poor - turned over the ball so many times - a much closer game if not .
Offloads from parra close to our line was an issue
Poor old Nado! He busted his arse. Good to see him in good spirits on the sideline second half
Skelton great. What a hit! Knee strapping not ideal and limping often 😳. Won’t be surprised if needs a rest now and again. Shame if he doesn’t play round one
Add Laui, API and Turuva - they add Moses, Brown, Paulo and Lane. Would likely be a close game - we look about the same heading into the season for me - hopefully we don’t play them for the spoon again! Why they let RCG go is beyond me!
Not sure why I was so confident of winning that. Staines worst for me - he is ok just not in FG unless injuries to many
Refs let parra get away with murder. Ref inconsistency already concerning - nothing new
Still need to tighten defense. Hopefully API does some of that. Their fullback is very good. Much more ball playing ability / speed than an aging Gutho
May if cleared at centre and decent back rower and we are stacked imo for the first time in a LONG time
Still a trial and low intensity game
