The pack v the backs...

[stevied]

As I've said before, other than last night's debacle, the forwards are doing their job. They are making metres and, generally, putting the Tigers into attacking positions. However, as has been said by everyone, the Tiger halves' ability to capitalise on the forwards hard work has been nonexistent. Brooks, Doueihi and Wakeham have all been totally clueless when it comes to setting up the play. Additionally, they've been hopeless at securing repeat sets, meaning that the forwards don't get opportunities to keep pressing or enjoy a break from defence.

To be honest, I find it unbelievable that a set of halves can be so consistently hopeless. We all know that Brooks doesn't have it in him but Doueihi - what happpened? I think coaching has a lot to do with it. With Sheens and Marshall delivering different messages and Farah chipping in as well, I would surmise there is a fair bit of confusion in terms of team structures. Also, as someone else said, that crowded coaches' box looks ridiculous and totally unprofessional. Who's the boss? Where's the clarity?

 

[Stevec]

Ice tonight 33/33...100%.

Bateman 30 / 31...97%

Blore (his best game for us by a mile) 24 / 25...96%.

Between them our three backrowers made 87 from 89 tackles. Those are stunning stats.

Stef and Klemmer both 100%.

And what is even more stunning is the centers outside them, and the FB inside, still cracked almost every time.

The backrowers did everything possible defensively, but our centers, and FB simply cannot read when defending or do not want to get hurt.

AJ and AD had about 15 big tackles to make the WHOLE game between them...and came up with 11 misses.

AJ just charges in...every team has worked him out. He is an overlap waiting to happen on every play.

AD just wants no part of it physically. None. I do not know what has happened, but he either is too immobile to get to collisions or he wants absolutely no part of them.

At some point our pack are going to implode as they are doing their jobs.

Finally someone noticed AJ rushes up misses and other team has overlap

 

[Stevec]

Weve got a decent pack especially now Blore come good but our backline is just not competitive. Huge imbalance forwards vs backs

 

[Tucker]

Nope.

I admire our forwards turning up every week and putting in

Just stating it’s easier to defend in the middle … you don’t see props defending in the centres for a reason

I disagree. Have you ever done it?
It is incredibly physically demanding. You are constantly hurting, constantly buggered.
The centres may go a whole set of six not touching the ball followed by a whole set of six of making no tackles. They could go 5 minutes with no involvement at all, numerous times per game.
The pigs are always in the game, making their own tackles as well as covering the backs. They take the hard hit ups and are always backing up in attack.
It’s easier to defend in the backline when you are fresh and fast enough to cover your opposite.

 

[Speed2burn]

I disagree. Have you ever done it?
It is incredibly physically demanding. You are constantly hurting, constantly buggered.
The centres may go a whole set of six not touching the ball followed by a whole set of six of making no tackles. They could go 5 minutes with no involvement at all, numerous times per game.
The pigs are always in the game, making their own tackles as well as covering the backs. They take the hard hit ups and are always backing up in attack.
It’s easier to defend in the backline when you are fresh and fast enough to cover your opposite.

I’ve played dummy half and defended in the middle a fair bit. I guess what I’m trying to say is you can compress your defensive line in the middle so you can often gang tackle around the ruck. Out wide it’s generally 1 on 1 with more space. So basically if you don’t have the lateral movement or speed of your opponent it’s easy to get burnt. Whereas in the middle you can have a little more room for error

Or maybe I’m just traumatised from seeing how weak the tigers edge D is haha

Totally see your point though

 

[Tiger Woods]

The camels V The donkeys

 

[Stevec]

Glad I’m not the only one that’s noticed…
He’s been getting bigged up a bit this year because he shows some aggression with and without the ball - but his timing, run lines and decision making are all over the place… at both back row or centre.

He’d be best served on the bench as a back row / centre cover - unless we can find a utility that can also play hooker…
Then it’s back to ressies for mine - I just don’t think he’ll get there…

Saw earlier a half on here getting bagged for missing tackles covering across for the gaping holes AJ was leaving him and the winger to deal with.

Spot on ,kept wondering why many on the forum keep blindly picking him at center but I think some don't actually watch the game