What a horrific half of footy, we were lucky to go 2 tackles without dropping the ball.
Matamua did make a good bust after coming on late and the props in Rahme and Johannsson played OK but other then that it was woeful handling everywhere
It's pretty disheartening the disjointed & intentless effort (to the regular observer) this team is putting up week after week.
The likes of Falls, Hope & Faataape made basic skill errors. We have no middles with any impact (yes we have some injuries), our line speed is poor, the players do not show mongrel or aggression to spur one another on, some of our defensive efforts in behind the ruck just lack intent & effort, and our execution of structured play is deplorable.
As someone mentioned last week, our players play like they are closer to Ron Massey Cup level than NRL.
I do feel that if we had some big, powerful, aggressive & NRL experienced middles in this team, the likes of Falls, Hope & Mason would perform a lot better on the back of them.
In terms of positives, Krystian Mapapalangi was a shining light, has skill, speed & x-factor highlighted by his great individual chip'n chase try from nothing. Played both fullback and right centre when Faataape went off injured.
Young Max Taotua looks a likely type too. Had some very good moments especially with his fast hands to put his winger away a couple of times & made some good metres in his runs. Gave Daine Laurie too much space to his outside in a poor defensive read & one poor knock-on coming out of yardage but he's just got that somehting about him.
The Taotua twins are must keeps!
Elie El Zakhem was up and down today but once again the pick of our forwards. Has a very good offload in him but a couple of times an offload or hands let him down.
No one else is worth mentioning today except Tui'tupou with some impressive runs.
I think we all know Richo is a pretty common sense operator and no doubt he would asking questions about the efforts Cup & Flegg have been delivering.
