Twal needs to run hard and straight. He's one of our typical players in that he folds when the going gets tough. He's massive and yet he runs sideways with twinkle toes.
People blaming the backs, and they were average, but we were strangled as a team. Penrith transition so quickly, everyone is sharp and aware and takes the advantage. So a 20 tap happens instantly, a penalty taken so quickly. They are also relentless about pressuring runners tackle two and three, where we are just off the pace in those tackles and regularly allowed 10 metres and players pushing through the tackle. So that equals dominant field position and then they get attacking kicks in and of course the wingers are going to make errors. As a team, they have to win those contests, and we just never do. Backs aren't doing anything when as a team we're not matching physicality and effort.
We had no plan to beat Penrith today. They were not threatened and were faster, smarter and more physical. Disappointing that we basically seem to try to play Penrith lite. Good coaches may not always win, but you can usually see how they would like to attack and opposition. Like most of our season, we had no obvious plan.
I don't know how to beat Penrith but one thing I noticed is they get three men in on the tackle on the 1st runner, and they look a little thin wide of that area. Surely trying a little short passing near the line between forwards might get something. At least it means they can't just tee up on the first runner like they did all match. Got to try something, right? Our solution seemed to be just keep hitting it up. Like many bad coaches' game plans in our recent history, there seems a complete lack of ambition.