Recent content by Jolls

I follow the logic but think that the issue is that you are kicking so deep in your own half that you are handing over possesion (if it doesn't go out) in good field position. I haven't looked at the 25 Stats but the 24 stats we were one of the worst for starting our sets deep in our own half...

Yes, missed that - 20/40s. Getting it right definitely shifts momentum; but get it wrong....... I can't find any stats on 20/40s for 2025. I need to keep digging. Anyone recall games where they were kicked?

Donkeys kicked 11, Storm 7 and both appeared in the GF. The Silvertails nailed 4, the Sharks and Faders and the Riff 2. Everyone else kicked one bar us, the Titans, Cows, Rabbits and Drag Queens. those that kicked no 40/20s finished 12-16. The only team to kick a 40/20 and finish below us...

This is one of y biggest criticisms of Api and Luai, neither of them look to change the momentum using their smarts. At the moment teams try to change momentum by putting on a high output player (Connor Watson type) or a high impact player (Spenser Lienu type). I think that there are smarter...

First session is ours. Brook playing Bazball is a good sign for us in the next session

Two very good points and possibly glossed over a littel in the deep dive. I did mention them both when I described our 2025 defence as "slow or hesitant edges, soft tacklers and our defenders being sucked inwards" - but certainly not as explicitly as you have pointed out. Inside pressure is a...

Was up last night with an sinusitis. It was a good way to try and take my mind off the pain in my head!

I mentioned it to Merlot last night - line speed requires good leadership to drive and reinforce the mindset. You and he are both right - it all comes from within - its a mindset and attituce combined with the fitness that makes it work.

Unless you are playing Bazball!

If we win the toss no doubt the runsmith will elect to bat - as he has done so almost every other time. If Sotkes wins the toss we might be batting anyway given the Bazball philosophy of trying to score big runs on day 2/3 when the movement dies down and before the pitch starts to deteriorate...

Defence is definately a mindset but it is defeinitely something that can be improved with focus. I would take your exampe one step further and say defence is a leadership requirement and every leader we have shoudl be setting the tone.

Hope at 13? I hadn't considered him at all.

We are aligned on that one Merlot and I get the feeling that our man Benji is of the same mind.

A less contentions subject for us to debate. I think we all agree that our defence in 2025 was one of our weak points. Richos comments about our right edge combined with the way we gave up simple points at crucial times are clear enough indicators of our need to improve in this area. Part of the...

It is defeinitely not imperative that the 13 is a play maker and nor it imperative that they play as a link. My problem with a May/Twal style of lock is that our halves are play what you see types and at the moment they don't have the time and space to see properly. May could surprise me in...