Our forward pack

[Guest]

I noted that both Nate and Rylesy have good workrates.

It's more how they go about their work that is worrying.

When Mose (JWH and FPN also, but to a lesser extent) runs at the line, the opposition deadset shits themselves. Last week, against Souffs, not one of them wanted a bar of it, and it was the same this week - he just went straight through them.

Ryles and Myles run a lot, but they don't run hard or with intent, and that's the problem. Nine times out of ten, they don't fall through the line, or maintain forward momentum, resulting in an incredibly slow play the ball, because they are too upright and halt at contact (and are thus driven back), instead of accelerating through it. Now, this could be a technical problem, but considering the experience of these two, I'd say they know what they should be doing. I reckon it's an attitude problem - I don't see the intent to win the contact, or the intent to get a quick play the ball in. It just isn't there.

The ruck is fast becoming, if it isn't already, the most important area of a rugby league game. You win the ruck by winning the contact - go through the tackle, don't let them bend you over, to adopt Smithy's lexicon, and slow it down. Actually attempt to get up quickly.

I agree. Under the new rules the easy metres from our small men are gone, as is room to move for our halves. As I have stated in other threads, this year is a completely different ball game for attacking teams like the Roosters and Tigers. No more touch footy.

I have also stated that if the play-the-ball does slow down it will not surprise me if Perrett is moved or dropped from the wing by end of year. Other teams will attempt to compress their defense against us as Manly did today, and we need speed out wide to give Carney some kicking options.

[Guest]

Blindfreddy is certainly not blind.

Very good post.

Myles has no intent to run hard. He never runs hard for us. He runs halfwd pace. He shits me.