BENJI'S DEFENCE

[snowleopard]

Have been thinking about this for a few seasons now and not really sure if the problem he obviously has in defence is a physical or mental problem. Seems to me that he is at best an 'arm grabber" now and never uses his shoulder in tackles. Also seems his only form of defence is the rush out of the line and attack strategy but most of the time he seems to easily get pushed off. Thoughts, comments or inside info anyone?

 

[snowleopard]

Sorry..bloody Ipads..Topic should read BENJI'S DEFENCE

 

[weststigers4life]

He's always been a weak link in defence but who knows maybe all those shoulder reco's have affected his confidence to put his body on the line. Towards the back end of this year some of his defence was embarrassing. Whilst on players that arm grab, I have closely followed Aysh as I played for the same local club and he has a bad habit of arm grabbing in defense as well. It will be interesting to see how a few poor players this year go under Potter next year.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[ball_main]

Sad to say but the whole team can't tackle. God help us if Royce becomes defense coach
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[system]

Would be better served defending in his proper position rather then in the centres. Centre requires complete commitment and good decision making and Benji with an effective backrower inside should defend in the 6 slot

 

[Paris_Cobbs]

Smeg is right. Look at it this way - his defence is better than some, e.g. Jamie Soward. And it wasn't Benji's defence that caused us to miss out on the play offs in 2012.

I was watching the Rugby last night, Australia v France and 5/8's don't tackle at all. We are lucky to have Benji, he could make more money playing Union and never have to make a tackle.

 

[Irvine]

Would be better served defending in his proper position rather then in the centres. Centre requires complete commitment and good decision making and Benji with an effective backrower inside should defend in the 6 slot

Agree..I believe Benji has improved his tackling technique. Defence and target area has changed so much these days you are taught to grab and hold for the backrower or centre to come in and slow everything down.
Gone are the days of tackling around the legs.

 

[Gordon]

how about adam blairs defence and dare we mention big keefy ,royce simmons was defence coach in 2005 no problem then.

 

[Basil_Tiger]

Agree..I believe Benji has improved his tackling technique.
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Yeah,he's improved a 100%.,not a great defender but passable at NRL level now.In the early days Sheens had him defending on the wing but other Teams still targeted him which Sheens used to the Tiges advantage.

 

[phil1986]

Have been thinking about this for a few seasons now and not really sure if the problem he obviously has in defence is a physical or mental problem. Seems to me that he is at best an 'arm grabber" now and never uses his shoulder in tackles. Also seems his only form of defence is the rush out of the line and attack strategy but most of the time he seems to easily get pushed off. Thoughts, comments or inside info anyone?

One thing that I believe is overlooked, if anyone has or does make a break benji is almost every time the first person there or chasing! His problem is not commitment! He has saved us numerous times this year.

In saying that, his one on one defense in the first line isn't the best, and has deficiencies, but in all honesty he has had a few shoulder ops and each time you will lose mobility and flexibility, maybe it's a liability that can never really be fixed??
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

cant be worse than Ben Barba.

 

[strrretch]

I think it is for good reason he doesn't put his shoulder into tackles, with his past injuries, fair enough, his forte is attack.
But have always wondered why he doesn't defend from the marker position more often, if not always…...Is easier to defend from there, can get the oncoming attack from a side on position more often than not and with his speed, he can be on them before they get a run up. Makes a lot of sense.

 

[Newtown]

Sad to say but the whole team can't tackle. _Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

Very general statement indeed. Try saying that to Robbie and Liam for starters.

 

[Guest]

I think it is for good reason he doesn't put his shoulder into tackles, with his past injuries, fair enough, his forte is attack.
But have always wondered why he doesn't defend from the marker position more often, if not always…...Is easier to defend from there, can get the oncoming attack from a side on position more often than not and with his speed, he can be on them before they get a run up. Makes a lot of sense.

It makes no sense actually. Having him defend at marker in the middle of the field will simply result in him being burnt out quicker from the extra work involved in slowing down the play the ball.

 

[simonthetiger]

I think the bigger issue is other defenders not trusting Bunji.plenty of times this year we had numbered up,but the outside player has come in to assist and there is the overlap!!

I noticed Reddy do this a few times as well as Beau when he played centre.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[tigermaniac]

cant be worse than Ben Barba.

Ben Barba's goal line defence was pretty good this year. He held up plenty of would be try scorers. No comparison.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_