The Spine....

[tig_prmz]

For some reason we are not handling the high ball very well, even with Lawrence(187)/Koroibete(180),Lawrence/Richards(193). Similar issue was with Utai/Ayshford(190), go figure.
In recent history only Beau Ryan was reasonably safe under the high ball.

noffa and kevvie are very safe under the high ball. teddy was not that good at the start of last year but got much better later.

simona is a hit and miss while the other winger will be inexperienced.

im not too worried about high balls, im more worried about our defensive structure which was umbrella type under potter but seems more balanced under JT- we still need to work on covering the inside/outside man as a team rather than keeping an eye on just the bloke in front of you

as for the spine, it is what it is. until farah actually leaves, it's not gonna change much. everyone knew this will be the spine 2 years before 2016.
cherrington is very bad defensively atm, however he's only 20 so he needs some time. im warming up to the ballin signing now tbh. manaia to state cup imo with halatau to be the utility until ballin's back.

 

[Masterton]

Our edge defence and how we handle the high balls will still be the key in 2016

They will be problems but I think Taylor's game plans are just as much a concern. I think the first key is to play positive footy. That really stuffed us last year. Brooks and Moses will miss some tackles. Naiqama and Nofo will stuff some high balls up.

Still I reckon that we can have a good season. That mightn't mean winning the comp but I'd like to think we can improve a lot.

All reports is that they will be playing more attacking footy this year, so what exactly is Taylor's gameplan?

Somehow I don't imagine he will be making any announcements about particulars. Honestly, I thought we were attacking enough at the end of last year anyways.

 

[Geo]

Our edge defence and how we handle the high balls will still be the key in 2016

They will be problems but I think Taylor's game plans are just as much a concern. I think the first key is to play positive footy. That really stuffed us last year. Brooks and Moses will miss some tackles. Naiqama and Nofo will stuff some high balls up.

Still I reckon that we can have a good season. That mightn't mean winning the comp but I'd like to think we can improve a lot.

The game plan this year will be to complete at 80% and above completion rate …miss less than 10 tackles per game...dominate the ruck and play the ball speed...earn as many repeat sets as possible..kick for field position 40/20's etc...give away as few penalties as possible...score more points than we concede...Is the squad capable of that time will tell...

If they do our Spine should Zing...

 

[Milky]

We played a state cup side

So did they.

In guess anything short of a 60-0 win was going to be criticized

They played 7/8 first grade players

No but a two point win isnt very convincing

 

[stevetiger]

Our edge defence and how we handle the high balls will still be the key in 2016

They will be problems but I think Taylor's game plans are just as much a concern. I think the first key is to play positive footy. That really stuffed us last year. Brooks and Moses will miss some tackles. Naiqama and Nofo will stuff some high balls up.

Still I reckon that we can have a good season. That mightn't mean winning the comp but I'd like to think we can improve a lot.

All reports is that they will be playing more attacking footy this year, so what exactly is Taylor's gameplan?

Somehow I don't imagine he will be making any announcements about particulars. Honestly, I thought we were attacking enough at the end of last year anyways.

I agree at the end of last year we seemed to be getting it together. I want it to stay that way.

 

[stevetiger]

Our edge defence and how we handle the high balls will still be the key in 2016

They will be problems but I think Taylor's game plans are just as much a concern. I think the first key is to play positive footy. That really stuffed us last year. Brooks and Moses will miss some tackles. Naiqama and Nofo will stuff some high balls up.

Still I reckon that we can have a good season. That mightn't mean winning the comp but I'd like to think we can improve a lot.

The game plan this year will be to complete at 80% and above completion rate …miss less than 10 tackles per game...dominate the ruck and play the ball speed...earn as many repeat sets as possible..kick for field position 40/20's etc...give away as few penalties as possible...score more points than we concede...Is the squad capable of that time will tell...

If they do our Spine should Zing...

I think the squad is capable of it and I think the spine could be really good. I also think a key problem last year was our lack of pace in the outside backs. We had Simona and Nofo out for decent chunks of the season. That is why I'd play JAC and see how he goes.

 

[Eddie]

Its a very good spine and i expect them to cause plenty of problems for opposition.

Holding onto Farah was crucial for morale and I feel without the burden of the captaincy he will have a big season.

However they will only go as far as our pack lets them. The likes of Grant, Lawrence, Sironen, Lovett, Sue Ava and co really need to find something. A couple of them also need to provide a protection for Moses and Brooks on our fragile edge defence.

 

[iofthetigers]

Our edge defence and how we handle the high balls will still be the key in 2016

They will be problems but I think Taylor's game plans are just as much a concern. I think the first key is to play positive footy. That really stuffed us last year. Brooks and Moses will miss some tackles. Naiqama and Nofo will stuff some high balls up.

Still I reckon that we can have a good season. That mightn't mean winning the comp but I'd like to think we can improve a lot.

I think you will be surprised going on last nights efforts.Unlike last year where the tigers played black dot to black dot & very tight the tigers looked very different playing 70/30 with the second rowers playing wide & running a lot of different angles

 

[stevetiger]

Our edge defence and how we handle the high balls will still be the key in 2016

They will be problems but I think Taylor's game plans are just as much a concern. I think the first key is to play positive footy. That really stuffed us last year. Brooks and Moses will miss some tackles. Naiqama and Nofo will stuff some high balls up.

Still I reckon that we can have a good season. That mightn't mean winning the comp but I'd like to think we can improve a lot.

I think you will be surprised going on last nights efforts.Unlike last year where the tigers played black dot to black dot & very tight the tigers looked very different playing 70/30 with the second rowers playing wide & running a lot of different angles

Mate - if we play like that we have a good chance to improve a lot this season.

 

[innsaneink]

Our edge defence and how we handle the high balls will still be the key in 2016

They will be problems but I think Taylor's game plans are just as much a concern. I think the first key is to play positive footy. That really stuffed us last year. Brooks and Moses will miss some tackles. Naiqama and Nofo will stuff some high balls up.

Still I reckon that we can have a good season. That mightn't mean winning the comp but I'd like to think we can improve a lot.

I think you will be surprised going on last nights efforts.Unlike last year where the tigers played black dot to black dot & very tight the tigers looked very different playing 70/30 with the second rowers playing wide & running a lot of different angles

Mate - if we play like that we have a good chance to improve a lot this season.

I have no idea what iofthetigers is on about, can you fill me in please steve?

 

[hobbo]

They will be problems but I think Taylor's game plans are just as much a concern. I think the first key is to play positive footy. That really stuffed us last year. Brooks and Moses will miss some tackles. Naiqama and Nofo will stuff some high balls up.

Still I reckon that we can have a good season. That mightn't mean winning the comp but I'd like to think we can improve a lot.

I think you will be surprised going on last nights efforts.Unlike last year where the tigers played black dot to black dot & very tight the tigers looked very different playing 70/30 with the second rowers playing wide & running a lot of different angles

Mate - if we play like that we have a good chance to improve a lot this season.

I have no idea what iofthetigers is on about, can you fill me in please steve?

Just join the dots lol
Then can you let me know what's doing :laughing:

 

[stevetiger]

I think it's pretty obvious that he is stating that last year we played in the middle of the park and didn't spread the ball out wide whereas in the trial we used much more width within our attack.

I suppose that he can correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[happy_tiger]

They will be problems but I think Taylor's game plans are just as much a concern. I think the first key is to play positive footy. That really stuffed us last year. Brooks and Moses will miss some tackles. Naiqama and Nofo will stuff some high balls up.

Still I reckon that we can have a good season. That mightn't mean winning the comp but I'd like to think we can improve a lot.

I think you will be surprised going on last nights efforts.Unlike last year where the tigers played black dot to black dot & very tight the tigers looked very different playing 70/30 with the second rowers playing wide & running a lot of different angles

Mate - if we play like that we have a good chance to improve a lot this season.

I have no idea what iofthetigers is on about, can you fill me in please steve?

You remember Ink

We talked about it last week

Looking at the dots on our dates and seeing how tight they were and hoping we didn't have 30 when we turned 70

We talked about it for days remember …..

 

[TrueTiger]

Its a very good spine and i expect them to cause plenty of problems for opposition.

Holding onto Farah was crucial for morale and I feel without the burden of the captaincy he will have a big season.

However they will only go as far as our pack lets them. The likes of Grant, Lawrence, Sironen, Lovett, Sue Ava and co really need to find something. A couple of them also need to provide a protection for Moses and Brooks on our fragile edge defence.

Eddie,I reckon if our spine is doing really well and in particular our playmakers,the forward pack will play a much more enthused and energetic game…if the forwards are playing well the backs will follow,confidence builds up quickly when your on the front foot going forward,but they also have to learn to grind out a very tough game and keep themselves together and not go to pieces at the first sign of despair...the forwards and the backs have to support each other and back each other up,no matter how tough things get out there..This will be a good year to see how far our young playmakers have progressed and to see how much they can control the game for a solid 80 minutes..

 

[iofthetigers]

I think it's pretty obvious that he is stating that last year we played in the middle of the park and didn't spread the ball out wide whereas in the trial we used much more width within our attack.

I suppose that he can correct me if I'm wrong.

That is definitely correct. I apologise for speaking lingo. I went to the trial not expecting much but was really impressed, I am not saying the Tigers will win the comp but the Tigers will surprise a lot of people & the style of football will win fans over.

 

[innsaneink]

Please, what is dot to dot and 70/30?

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I assume dot to dot refers to playing compact and up the guts (from the black dot on the crossbar at one end to the black dot at the other end.) I have to admit I'm not familiar with the term 70/30 either.

 

[iofthetigers]

Sorry dot to dot is the black dot in the middle of the posts (centre of the field,this is how the Tigers have played the last couple of years), 30 is in between the sideline & the middle of the field on your left & 70 is to the right. You move the ball a lot more with the halves playing what is in front of them.

 

[innsaneink]

Aaah OK…thanks

 

[Tiger_Watto]

our only spine problems will come from the coachs who select the team, whether they will have the spine to drop players who dont suit our structure.