For those who watch, what were the positions? With Fainu listed on wing and tds at prop or makes it hard.
Was valevatu 5/8, Wilson to fullback and Laulilii on wing?
Yes that was correct BB.
Our left was Kepaoa, Taupau Sako & Saukuru, our right was Broederlow, Faataape, Laulilii.
Here are my thoughts ...
- We were playing a side with a tonne of NRL experience across the park while our side's most experienced was Kepaoa.
- Whilst their forwards rolled through our park with momentum & fast PTB, we actually held our own through the middle.
- We got exposed a fair bit on our right side where they seemed to have a continual overlap. In viewing, the use of Matterson as their linkman lock & fullback Faulolo on a sweep caused us the headache in creating an extra man. We just aren't stable or experienced enough in defence on the edges in Cup to deal with this it seems.
- We made Sipley & Faulolo look like superstars when they are no better than high quality experienced NSW Cup players. Sipley is Manly's version of Zane Musgrove & Faulolo just had a day to remember.
- We actually led at HT, yes they were up 4 tries to 3 though. I feel a couple of momentum changes were when Kit Laulilii went off with what appeared a shoulder or upper torso injury & AJ giving away a stupid play the ball penalty.
- At the start of the 2nd half, we only had possession about 3 times in the first 15 mins. Game over! Fatigue sets in for a team so young having to do so much work.
- Whilst Curtis Wilson does some good things in attack, his last line of defence is atrocious. He did not attempt to catch a couple of bombs too which led to a try or tries.
- Two of Blacktown's tries were long-range efforts when we were on the attack. Typical for our club at the moment.
- Saukuru can hold his head up high for the most part, strong in carries, found out in defence for one try, looks like he backs himself as an aerialist too which is good.
- Faataape ok in yardage & attack, struggled in defence on the edge. That performance certainly did not scream out to "pick me" in the NRL.
- Laulilii struggled on the wing against Paulo. Positioning was poor at times & never really threatened in attack.
- Our halves were ordinary compared to Arthur & Humphreys.
- Broederlow was good in carries and some effort plays, was found out once or twice in defence but generally ok. Would love to see him get some good ball from our halves like he has in Flegg from Matai. Hope they let him have an extended run in Cup.
- AJ terrible.
- Sione Fainu was our best, good yardage, good defence, has nice footwork at the line, a good offload, not a middle with leg speed but more footwork, strength & skill. I'm pretty confident he'll be in the 17 after the bye.
- Jordan Miller is getting better & better in attack as he builds fitness & minutes. Defence generally good, however can be found wanting close to the line when having to move laterally.
- TDS was very good. Great for him to get so many minutes & a try. Defence was improved except should have made a better cover tackle attempt on Paulo which he missed by going too high.
- Tumeth was ok when he came on as a middle to replace Kit. Probably better as a middle now, just lacks the size & strength to dominate.
- Not sure why Sukkar & Porter did not play.
If we had better halves & fullback and a more experienced middle rotation in this game, we could have gone close as crazy as that sounds.