waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Last roll of the dice for Moana, one feels.
Same issues with Drua. Few years of professionalism and they'll sort the finer points. Drua in particular will be top half of the table IMO.Once again Moana's discipline & set piece let them down when it matters most. Full credit to 'tahs for hanging in there & working their way back into it from 0-17, I can think of a team or two who might've thrown in the towel at that point...
Yep wasn't real surprised he came dow a little after the highs of last week, he just a kid really.Edmed was hidden in defence, and did not do much in attack. Subbed at half-time.
Donaldson will be back starting next week. I am chuffed despite nervous moments at end we won after 17-0 down. In fairness this is best I have seen MP (Moana Pasifika) play as I thought they were very good.That's a relief! Winning ugly is better than losing.
Waratahs line speed (as distinct from line position) was just too slow tonight, which allowed MP (Moana Pasifika) (Moana Pasifika) to get up a head of steam. I think the emotional letdown from last week meant we did not play to our best. If we play like that next week we are history. Still, Holloway was immense, Gordon was great (except his box-kicking was awful, he really should dish off to Edmed/Donaldson to make metres in his own half), but I thought our backrow lacked punch. And we do so miss HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) (Harry Johnson-Holmes), even though I thought Holtz was OK.
The Rugby laws some times make an absolute ass of themselves. The try that was pulled back because the MP (Moana Pasifika) (Moana Pasifika) player put his foot on the line meant that although MP (Moana Pasifika) (Moana Pasifika) infringed there was absolutely no advantage to the Waratahs. The TMO might have been correct in law but it was just stupid and actively reduced the game as a spectacle. Its a sliding doors moment, the MP (Moana Pasifika) (Moana Pasifika) might have come back to win. We'll never know. To his credit, Angus Gardiner clearly wasn't happy as you could tell from his tone of voice and question as to whether it was within two phases.
Very pleasing result. After the highs of last week I thought they might struggle this week, and did at the beginning, but showed enough composure to win from behind after holding out from Iin ront. Couldn't do either last year, so massive improvement. MP (Moana Pasifika) (Moana Pasifika) are no mugs either. They are steadily improving through a disrupted season. Good game
Losing Hooper and HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) didn't help the breakdown. Hopefully both back soonGood to see that the Tahs didn't fold when they were behind like in previous seasons.
But yes, the breakdown needs work
I don’t think we will see HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), but Hooper likely back next week which will make a huge difference to the breakdown. Gamble was tied up tackling and couldn’t get the turnovers. Hooper will assist in that, just like against the Saders.Losing Hooper and HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) (Harry Johnson-Holmes) didn't help the breakdown. Hopefully both back soon
That's a relief! Winning ugly is better than losing.
Waratahs line speed (as distinct from line position) was just too slow tonight, which allowed MP (Moana Pasifika) (Moana Pasifika) to get up a head of steam. I think the emotional letdown from last week meant we did not play to our best. If we play like that next week we are history. Still, Holloway was immense, Gordon was great (except his box-kicking was awful, he really should dish off to Edmed/Donaldson to make metres in his own half), but I thought our backrow lacked punch. And we do so miss HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) (Harry Johnson-Holmes), even though I thought Holtz was OK.
The Rugby laws some times make an absolute ass of themselves. The try that was pulled back because the MP (Moana Pasifika) (Moana Pasifika) player put his foot on the line meant that although MP (Moana Pasifika) (Moana Pasifika) infringed there was absolutely no advantage to the Waratahs. The TMO might have been correct in law but it was just stupid and actively reduced the game as a spectacle. Its a sliding doors moment, the MP (Moana Pasifika) (Moana Pasifika) might have come back to win. We'll never know. To his credit, Angus Gardiner clearly wasn't happy as you could tell from his tone of voice and question as to whether it was within two phases.
And a nice comment from Coleman
“When you’re starting to grade your wins it’s starting to show that you’re getting used to winning and figuring out how to win.”
I agree I was happy the Tahs found a way to win rather than loss. Hopefully that’s a sign of things to come. Still a few immature decisions but the younger members of the squad.I retrospect, I am more pleased with this win than defeating the saders
A side can always get up to play the big dogs at home
But to turn up the following week, be down by a load and grind out a win
That suggests shit is moving in the right direction
Yep it's important to find a way to win rather than a way to lose that seems to happens to some teams when thay get on a bad run.I agree I was happy the Tahs found a way to win rather than loss. Hopefully that’s a sign of things to come. Still a few immature decisions but the younger members of the squad.