Your Tigers side vs Knights

Very true Ink, but I think it's because Utai's deficiencies often lead to points being scored against us a bit more regularly than some of our other players mistakes (i.e. being out-leaped and out-paced by taller speedy three-quarters on their way to our try line).

It's a tricky situation with Utai - he gives it everything when he runs with the ball and is so damn hard to put down! He was best on ground in a couple of games last season and he always plays with enthusiasm. No one could ever say that Utai looked disinterested during a match like we have said about some of the others.

However, I think age has caught up with him a bit and he is definitely too slow and less agile to be playing on the wing now. Big or tall and speedy wingers are leading the way and Utai is struggling to match it with some of his opponents these days. I think the pairing of Koro and Nofo on the wings needs to be put in place now. Where that leaves Utai, I don't know. I would still like to see him in the team somewhere, but where? He runs like a forward, so maybe a bench role would be good, but we already have second row and lock well covered. As someone suggested, he could play prop! God knows we could use another one and I don't reckon he would let us down either, but he would have to be the shortest prop in league history :laughing:
 
Utai as an impact prop late in each half, the guy is made for it… he troubles smaller guys with his change of level at the line, neverlone the big boppers, if it doesnt work out he is generally always on his guts so can speed up the ruck. Honestly late in each half, Utai banging it up half bust, Farrah taking advantage... its a good platform to start on in any set, especially when there are some tired bodies out there.
 
I must be missing Utai's many games where he is exploited. It seems everyone continually points out his height and speed issues, but he isn't found out as often as popular thought would have you believe.

Look we know he can be found out and I know its happened, but the amount of times it actually took place vs the amount of time devoted to it on this forum is disproportionate.

I reckon that until teams start to target him on a regular basis, we should stick with him as he is probably our best option to start the season. There is no use dropping him because he MIGHT be targeted.
 
Probably a stupid question, but how does a player 'speed up the ruck?' Wouldn't that be more the tackler and ref's job?
 
Theres no stupid questions, only stupid answers.

The way black'n'white referred to it is when an attacking player (in this case Utai) is often able to prevent himself being held up, pushed back or put on his back in a tackle…..all which leads to his team 'losing the ruck'....he will often break or get half thru the line resulting in him ending up being on his hands and knees when tackled which will result in a quick play the ball.
With Utai its more often than not on a kick return with him facing a kick return defensive line that isnt set, its our first tackle and this leads to the set being a positive one as long as its completed without error and the kick is reached, as the defense is on the back foot and the offense is going forward....if the next ball runner is already moving forward before the defense is back 10, the defense arent meeting the ball runner....its difficult to stop the attack and usually ends in an attacking kick or play on the last.
 
@innsaneink said:
Theres no stupid questions, only stupid answers.

The way black'n'white referred to it is when an attacking player (in this case Utai) is often able to prevent himself being held up, pushed back or put on his back in a tackle…..all which leads to his team 'losing the ruck'....he will often break or get half thru the line resulting in him ending up being on his hands and knees when tackled which will result in a quick play the ball.
With Utai its more often than not on a kick return with him facing a kick return defensive line that isnt set, its our first tackle and this leads to the set being a positive one as long as its completed without error and the kick is reached, as the defense is on the back foot and the offense is going forward....if the next ball runner is already moving forward before the defense is back 10, the defense arent meeting the ball runner....its difficult to stop the attack and usually ends in an attacking kick or play on the last.
Click to expand...

riight, okay sure. I've always thought of that as more 'winning the ruck' and speeding up the ruck was where the tackler gets up quickly or doesn't' tackle him properly, as in just holds him up with one or two supporting tacklers. But that makes sense, thanks
 
It's called "finding your front" in terms of staying off your back AND facing the right direction. We all know that those who are proficient at it are normally not dominated at the ruck and that it takes smarts and strength and in the end quick play-the-balls pay dividends / unless of course there's an error.

PL
 
Utai, is very good at avoiding the turtle (being rolled on his back) and therefore gets a quick play the ball, but he is also the master of rushing the play the ball and dropping the ball cold, usually ten yards out from our try line. All players do it on the odd occasion but Utai seems to do it more often, maybe he just stands out more the some other players

But really on 2012 form, he would be one of the first players picked, he was one of the few players that actually hit the line with any gusto. I just dont know who will make the dirty yards off our line from the back
if Utai is not in the starting 13\. As for the high ball, thats up to Potter to come up with a fifth tackle plan to protect Utai
 
1\. Moltzen (give Tedesco a few games in NSW Cup)
2\. Koroibete
3\. Ayshford
4\. Lawrence
5\. Utai
6\. Marshall
7\. Miller
8\. Bell
9\. Farah
10\. Galloway
11\. Anasta
12\. Pettybourne
13\. Blair

14\. Fulton
15\. Buchanan
16\. Murdoch-Masila
17\. Thompson

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_
 
THIS WILL PROBABLY BE OUR 17 TO PLAY THE KNIGHTS IN ROUND 1
1\. tim moltzen (i think tedesco should have a few games in nsw cup to build some confidence and then come back around round 4-5)
2\. matt utai (if he doesnt step up pardon the pun its nsw cup for him)
3\. blake ashford (if he doesnt step up tim simona and rory brien the doors wide open)
4\. chris lawrence
5\. marika koroibete
6\. benji Marshall
7\. jacob miller (if he doesnt step up luke brooks the door is wide open)
8\. matt bell (aaron woods is in doubt so he will probably be our number 8 until round 2-3)
9\. robbie Farah
10\. keith galloway
11\. braith anasta
12\. eddy pettybourne (this guy mighten be big but he is so strong)
13\. adam blair if this guy doesnt step up he would be the bigest mouth in the wests tigers team all off-season hes been saying ive been working so hard and ive been mentoring the young guys
14\. liam fulton
15\. james buchanan (i think we should give this guy a chance until bell takes hes spot when woods come back)
16\. ben murdoch-masila (why didnt this guy play in the first grade team in the trials)
17\. the number 17 spot could go to any one its any ones guess to tell u the truth i would of put Mosese Fotuaika :sign:
 
@Flippedy said:
Very true Ink, but I think it's because Utai's deficiencies often lead to points being scored against us a bit more regularly than some of our other players mistakes (i.e. being out-leaped and out-paced by taller speedy three-quarters on their way to our try line).

It's a tricky situation with Utai - he gives it everything when he runs with the ball and is so damn hard to put down! He was best on ground in a couple of games last season and he always plays with enthusiasm. No one could ever say that Utai looked disinterested during a match like we have said about some of the others.

However, I think age has caught up with him a bit and he is definitely too slow and less agile to be playing on the wing now. Big or tall and speedy wingers are leading the way and Utai is struggling to match it with some of his opponents these days. I think the pairing of Koro and Nofo on the wings needs to be put in place now. Where that leaves Utai, I don't know. I would still like to see him in the team somewhere, but where? He runs like a forward, so maybe a bench role would be good, but we already have second row and lock well covered. As someone suggested, he could play prop! God knows we could use another one and I don't reckon he would let us down either, but he would have to be the shortest prop in league history :laughing:
Click to expand...

i think hes already the shortest winger or even player in nrl history
 
actually come to think of it.. i dont see a reason why BMM shouldnt be the starting second rower at the right fringe.

i always rated him and always thought he didnt get used enough last season and at the end of the season i thought bmm was a shoe in for the second row.
 
@innsaneink said:
Theres no stupid questions, only stupid answers.

The way black'n'white referred to it is when an attacking player (in this case Utai) is often able to prevent himself being held up, pushed back or put on his back in a tackle…..all which leads to his team 'losing the ruck'....he will often break or get half thru the line resulting in him ending up being on his hands and knees when tackled which will result in a quick play the ball.
With Utai its more often than not on a kick return with him facing a kick return defensive line that isnt set, its our first tackle and this leads to the set being a positive one as long as its completed without error and the kick is reached, as the defense is on the back foot and the offense is going forward....if the next ball runner is already moving forward before the defense is back 10, the defense arent meeting the ball runner....its difficult to stop the attack and usually ends in an attacking kick or play on the last.
Click to expand...

Excellent way of explaining it.
Speeding up the ruck is all a combination of the offence, the defence and the referee - as the latter two are uncontrollable the best way of 'speeding up the ruck' is just as Ink explained it
 
What side I believe Pottsy will choose for round 1:
1\. Moltz
2\. Koro
3\. Ayshford
4\. Rowdy
5\. Utai
6\. Benji
7\. Miller
8\. Bell
9\. Robbie
10\. Galloway
11\. Anasta
12\. Pettybourne
13\. Blair

14\. Fults
15\. BMM
16\. Thompson
17\. Gavet? Buchanan?
\
\
What side I want to see form over the first half of this season:
1\. Teddy
2\. Koro
3\. Aysh/Brien (wanna see him crack 1st)
4\. Rowdy
5\. Utai/Nofoaluma (eventually will take over from Matt)
6\. Marshall
7\. Miller/Moltz (best combo with Benj & Robbie)
8\. Woodsy
9\. Robbie
10\. Galloway
11\. Anasta
12\. Pettybourne
13\. Blair

14\. Fults
15\. BMM/Gavet
16\. Buchanan
17\. Groat/Bell

Key is to stick with a structure, the first rounds can be designed to trial and error. Trick is to build a back-bone and I believe Moltzen could jump Miller to form it with Teddy, Benji and Robbie.
 
Given the multitude of Forward injuries I think the team will look like this

Moltzen
Koro
Ashyford
Lawrence
Utai
Benj
Miller
Bell
Farah
Galloway
Blair
Anasta
Fulton

Pettyb
BMM
Thompson
Buchanan

Pettybourne and Buchanan will spend time at prop, unfortunately that is how its going to have to be at least till we get Woods back…
 
RMS your starting backrow is so small and lacks impact.

Rather see Thompson start ahead of Fulton and Blair at lock.

Fulton back to bench.

Buchanan, Pettybourne and BMM to spend time at prop until Woods comes back.
 
Was figuring that we will be under the pump early and those three will defend till their arms fall off. The bigger guys can then do the attacking after the early onslaught…
 
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