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i am really concerned this year. It is almost a brand new team, with very little continuity from last year. And that seemed to show with how well they played ,especially in the first half.
They came together in the second half, but once we come up against quality opposition, it will be a blood bath.
This is after watching a few games prior to see where the skills and combo's were at. I feel like this is going to be a tough year, and i hope those combo's come together, and that someone can rub this post in my face!
Some nice individual work, which bodes well for the future (i hope they are all on longer than 1y contracts!). Good to have a kicker, stewart went hard, the wingers were solid, I still like strauchan over Tiatia. I also worry about the size of our pack, our locks look a little like me (scrawny). Did Wells put much in? i didn't see that much special out there.
Anyway, rant over![]()
I have to admit I spent a lot of last night trying to figure out who was who..especially that big fella who came on in the second half and scored a try
Having said that, I was impressed that 11 blokes who had not played Super Rugby together did a good job jelling in the second half
The first half showed how they intend to play; often switching the point of attack to disrupt the opposition D covering around the ruck. Some nice running lines and inside passes. Unfortunately a lot didn't stick, but that improved after half time. The D looked solid all game and the missed tackle stats were pretty good, and will get better. I always felt like they could come back & I feel like if the match were played with a few more runs togrther, it could easily be a bigger margin. All-in-all a good first-up effort but they'll need to get a whole lot better to get anywhere against the Kiwis, bar maybe the Highlanders.
P.S. How did all the sirs miss that Fa'amausili shoulder charge? I thought it was a YC for sure.
P.P.S. Just saw that "shoulder charge" from another angle. A great legal hit.![]()
Last edited by shasta; 26-02-23 at 09:50.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Watched the a game from a sports bar in Bangkok,almost threw a few Leo bottles through the screen during the first half!
Is Rebolo still in the squad? Might get a run next week.
Injuries are a worry as it’s the start of the season! Hope a few will be back for next week 😳
Everyone can thank me! At half time I went and cooked breakfast and left the young fella to commentate the game to me. If I looked at the game they fumbled, etc. I ended up finding shit in the kitchen to clean for 40 mins so in didn’t jinx them. At 80 mins I thought it would be safe to watch and then the scrum kept collapsing so I went back to the kitchen and put my fingers in my ears and we won 😂!!!!
That said it was a damn fast game and the Force on the second half were driving that speed, and the unexpected direction of attack. They didn’t just shove the ball sideways
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David