Slow starts, big finishes

[Yossarian]

Excluding the Cows game.

Opening 20 minutes
v Souths 0-12
v NZ 0-10
v Parra 0-10

(Collectively 0-32)

Final 15 minutes of first half
v Souths 12-0
v NZ 16-0
v Parra 12-0

(Collectively 40-0)

Overall in the final 60 minutes of games we’ve won 70-22 in the last three games.
Looks like that fitness and conditioning work is paying off. Boys looked as fresh as could reasonably be expected in GP yesterday. In past years that seven tackle set would have struggled to get much past halfway.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Excluding the Cows game.

Opening 20 minutes
v Souths 0-12
v NZ 0-10
v Parra 0-10

(Collectively 0-32)

Final 15 minutes of first half
v Souths 12-0
v NZ 16-0
v Parra 12-0

(Collectively 40-0)

Overall in the final 60 minutes of games we’ve won 70-22 in the last three games.
Looks like that fitness and conditioning work is paying off. Boys looked as fresh as could reasonably be expected in GP yesterday. In past years that seven tackle set would have struggled to get much past halfway.

Add in our trials too Yoss. We were down in the 1st half against the Rorters & panthers before clawing back by halftime.

 

[Milky]

Yeah although not sustainable against better teams

 

[diedpretty]

If we start like that against a full strength panthers there is no way we are coming back from what they would post in the opening 20 minutes.

 

[gregjm87]

The early scores don't bother me as much as the territory domination. A lot of those early points are from dismantling our rookies on the left. That will happen with 2 rookies playing alongside each other.
The concern is that every team has been able to march down our end early on in those games (and Cows did as well when they actually had possession). For all the praise our forwards are getting (and rightly so for the 20th minute onwards) they are getting beaten in the opening exchanges.
I'd be reluctant to make changes here yet though. Fainu has probably earnt a starting spot but he has also been instrumental in winning back momentum coming off the bench. Will we lose this lift if he was to start? If it's tried and failed does he return to his bench form if reverted back? Whilst sorely tempted I think keep things as is, at least for now.
I think what is needed is simply players to come back and stiffen up the defence. Hold the line early, even if we're losing the battle. Then hopefully keep scores level until our bench gets to work and lift us in front.