Day Three Random thoughts:
Second Div I game day is often a day for coaches to give the bench a run on start. This can disrupt team cohesion and combinations. Today was no exception and this can explain why so many games were games of two halves.
Disappointing to see Long time Riverview Rugby Tragic, Matty Shields dressed in QLD attire during the Q1 game but relieved he changed to true blue for the NSW games.
No wind today but many lineouts were rusty with lots of throws missing the target, or the target not executing to the calls.
Great photos from @Delphy
NSW I. Initially unbalanced and struggled to contain aggressive CS team. #20 (Summerhayes) looked good at lineout time and as No8. Initial backline lacked cohesion. Goal kicking still a worry when #9 (Goddard) on the bench. #19 (Vatuvei) should be a starting second row. #8 (Crichton) looked good as BSF. 8 (Crichton), 20 (Summerhayes), 7 (Anderson) the best back row combo. Will beat Q2 but need to be on top of their game to beat Q1.
CS. Better jumpers today with the numbers staying put. Gave N1 the scare they needed but ran out of steam when the N1 bench was emptied. #12 (Yeomans) classy and would not be out of place in the state team. #8 (Lealaiauloto-Tui) will be impressive with some more technical rugby skills on board and better fitness– the loig is strong in him. #2 (Wilkinson) run straight, not across. Would like to see more of #20 (Feauai-Sautia.)
Q1. Owned the lineout. #5 (Hewat), #8 (Fox) linebenders. #12 (Pritchard) scary attack. Cruising with some signs of overconfidence. Could be more accurate in breakdowns. #15 (Setu) and #11 (Fittock) create their own gaps. Should beat N2 to make final with their #1 team.
ACT. Didn’t give up but struggled to cope with the increased pace and pressure of the game. Lost structure and were unable to sustain possession for extended periods to build pressure. #10 (Jackson-Hope), #15 (Fulivai) standout. Injury to #2 (Tai) sounded painful from 50 metres away. Hope not too serious. Lineout was awful.
NSW 2. Backline worked better when #10 (Renton - late callup) was flyhalf. #7 (Moore), #8 (Lough), #20 (Woodhill) got through a mountain of work (dirtiest jumpers in the team by a mile) and carried the team. #14 (Wright) to run straight and forget the fancy stuff, blistering pace is blistering pace, dancing slows pace down. Wonderful 2nd half but can’t afford to play only one half against Q1. Fitness looked good but not sure there is room to step up and maintain the intensity for 60 minutes. Only a very slim chance of beating Q1.
WA. Ran out of puff. #10 (Jooste) is talented and will be major threat next year. Too much lateral running made it easy for the defence to maintain their line. Relied on individual brilliance rather than team work. #15 (Cudd) fearless. Need to speed up breakdown work and arrival of troops to reduce turnovers and penalties. Improve discipline and concentration.
Ball transition was a little too slow.
Q2. Good lineout work and set piece. Were they overconfident? Hope #14 (Afamasaga) is OK. Run out of puff. Big gap between Q1 and Q2 when #6 (Scott-Young), #7 (Van Den Berg), #1 (Asiata) , #3 (McColl) on bench. They can play better than today and will lift for N1 game, but will not win.
Vic. Big and physical. Need to learn to play from the outset not just 2nd half. Too many passes pushed. Impressive pace from #12 (Tuipolotu) and #13 (Tuimaleliifano). They will trouble CS if they can improve accuracy in breakdown, and get the lineout set piece working.
Day 4 Predictions
ACT to beat WA
Vic to beat CS
QLD I to beat NSW II
NSW I to beat Qld II
