Our New Backrow

T

Tigerdon

New member
From Round One until Round 11 we were essentially playing modern style of a third prop at 13 and two wider edge Backrowers.
With the arrival of Elijah Taylor it's totally changed the way are forwards and backs are Linking up. It's almost going back to the tradition lock play of the 80's-90's. A player that can either hit a gap in the middle or have a passing game to the halves. Plus being a workaholic in defence. By have such a player it allows the second rowers to play more direct and gives the halves an extra second in attack.
The combination of ;
11\. Josh Aloiai
12\. Chris Lawrence
13\. Elijah Taylor
…has worked very well and with Sue coming off the bench, gives our pack some real punch.
So far this new combination has only been tested against Newcastle and a Broncos side lacking Origin forwards , however this new structure seems to have a better balance. Barring injury or suspension I'm Looking forward to seeing this new backrow continue to lay a platform for our backs.
 
We have always struggled against the big physical sides, so the Chooks should gives us a good indication how this new style of football is progressing. I do think Taylor has made a massive difference to both our attack and defence. Always thought he was solid but never thought he had the skill he has shown us over the past few weeks
 
Just makes it more important to complete our sets, dominate the tackle and take good 5th tackle options. Big packs look ordinary rucking the ball out from their own line.
 
I like it. ET has been a breath of fresh air for our pack. He's playing as an old style ball playing 13 as opposed to the third prop that 13's are used as today .

Lawrence has been reborn. He was always going to take to the backrow the way Lewis did. He's a born footballer.

Aloiai is still only a pup, but he looks the goods.
 
I liked the idea of using the lock as a 3rd prop but you work with what you have and ET is a great ball playing lock.

This current approach that we have is great. Aloiai is also going well out a little wider. I think though Aloiai is really only a 40 minute player so Halatau is filling that role when Aloiai is on the bench.
 
He's our James Graham. It's such an advantage having a ball playing forward in your team. Im interested to see how we go with Teddy back next week. Gives us multiple avenues in attack.
 
I like Aloiai, but we can't really have a starting back-rower playing 30 odd mins a game. Need to get his mins up to get a better balance.
 
@ricksen said:
I like Aloiai, but we can't really have a starting back-rower playing 30 odd mins a game. Need to get his mins up to get a better balance.
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Lawerence played the 80\. For some reason ET came off with 2 mins to go.
Aloiai played 36 and Lovett 55.
I think the backrower balance work pretty well considering Aloiai and Lovett are playing more of a straight running power game and Lawerence and Talyor are more looking at changing angles and wider running plays, which is less taxing.
 
I think Aloiai is shaping as JT's preferred right side option but he's young and wants to build him into the role. I think thats a good way to go.

As far as the new structure goes regarding an old style lock, i love it. As long as the interchange stays low or even drops than i think the old style ball playing lock will come back. We are one step ahead. I love it. I wanted Austin to stay to play that role, but it will turn out we have a better option in Elijah. Happy days.

Elijah's smarts will allow Luke and Mitch to run more.
 
We're looking good.
Strongest our pack has looked since Gibbs/Ellis/Dwyer days.
 
@ricksen said:
I like Aloiai, but we can't really have a starting back-rower playing 30 odd mins a game. Need to get his mins up to get a better balance.
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JT did a similar thing with Lovett last year. Probably threw him to the wolves a bit early and played him longer than he should have, but we're seeing Lovett improving noticeably as a footballer this season, and I reckon we will see the same with Aloiai over the next 12-18 months, don't forget he's still only 20, but he is powerful and will only improve. He has a similar work ethic at training to Lovett which is another reason why JT is now starting him over Sirro.
 
If Alouai is only a 30 minute player then he needs to come off the bench. I've said before that we need to have good go forward at the beginning of the game so I'd start with Ava and Sue with Josh off the bench. I agree that the forwards look a lot more balanced and effective but this is couched by the fact that we matched and overpowered a weak Newcastle and an inexperienced Broncos pack. Let's wait to see how they go against the Roosters before we start to get excited…..Is Waerea Hargreaves playing at the moment?
 
Strongest the backrow has been for some time. Still not sure on aliola, will like to see how he goes against the chooks pack.
 
@willow said:
@ricksen said:
I like Aloiai, but we can't really have a starting back-rower playing 30 odd mins a game. Need to get his mins up to get a better balance.

JT did a similar thing with Lovett last year. Probably threw him to the wolves a bit early and played him longer than he should have, but we're seeing Lovett improving noticeably as a footballer this season, and I reckon we will see the same with Aloiai over the next 12-18 months, don't forget he's still only 20, but he is powerful and will only improve. He has a similar work ethic at training to Lovett which is another reason why JT is now starting him over Sirro.
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Click to expand...

And Aloaiai is starting over Lovett because he's making an impression on the field - unlike training - call a spade a spade
 
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