NRC Rnd 1: Rams v Eagles - Sunday @ 3pm

[dru]

^^^ Pfitzy fabulous summary. Can you think of any obvious players that missed the cut and maybe should be reconsidered?

Gonzalez looked to me to be trying very hard to make an impact, and ended up a little more of a loner than Homes. Did Holmes actually do his hammy? If so that galah in the commentary owes him a public apology. Gonzlez also looks to be the sort of player who will overdo the kick. Last weekend that kicking was needed. It'll be annoying if it happens like that in the first 20 though.

 

[Pfitzy]

Can you think of any obvious players that missed the cut and maybe should be reconsidered?

Having not seen a lot of club rugby this year (due mostly to running a Subbies club), I can't make a lot of recommendations on that front. Not having a standout player in the back row really hurt the Eagles tho - Sam Ward is a workhorse, not an impact 8. The flankers didn't do much except give away penalties. They got bossed at the ruck by Roach, mainly, so you can't say the Rams backrow starred either.

What it really came down to was combinations: Manenti et al were smart enough to pick guys who knew each other and can beat other sides that aren't too far ahead of them in the early stages.

Up against the pro sides they're likely to struggle. But then I thought the Eagles had just a few too many pros to lose, as well.

Gonzalez looked to me to be trying very hard to make an impact, and ended up a little more of a loner than Homes. Did Holmes actually do his hammy? If so that galah in the commentary owes him a public apology. Gonzlez also looks to be the sort of player who will overdo the kick. Last weekend that kicking was needed. It'll be annoying if it happens like that in the first 20 though.

To me it looked like Holmes banged his knee up on the concrete that is Milner cricket pitch. I don't envy anyone playing the finals there this weekend, as there is no time for adequate watering to fix that bullshit. Maybe grass seeds?

In any case, the plan in the second half seemed to involve kicking for territory and make the Eagles earn it. Apparently there was a slight breeze left to right and with that lead, the Eagles kicking it back was less likely as the half wore on.

 

[Braveheart81]

I thought the Rams lock, Albert Tuisue had a strong game. Physical and had a good workrate.

I looked up his stats and it seems he is only 192cm which is a shame. Big enough to be a good lock at this level, but not really at Super Rugby level without being a truly elite player.

 

[Braveheart81]

So having watched the replay: Eagles need to work on their attack. Some real weapons there and they barely fired a shot along the backline. Ball security was terrible and they're missing Jake Gordon's ability from the base.

Their back row and midfield were unsighted, and besides Staniforth getting ragdolled by bigger men, and Latu playing as he should - a pro among club men - none of the forwards were really that effective.

Paddy Ryan should work on playing hard more, and talking less, BTW.

I thought Paddy Ryan had a good game. Staniforth was good too and worked pretty hard, particularly running the ball. Nick Kellaway was quite impressive in the loose.

Maclean Jones was a bit of a letdown at 7. Really struggled to make an impact on the game.

 

[Brumby Runner]

So having watched the replay: Eagles need to work on their attack. Some real weapons there and they barely fired a shot along the backline. Ball security was terrible and they're missing Jake Gordon's ability from the base.

Their back row and midfield were unsighted, and besides Staniforth getting ragdolled by bigger men, and Latu playing as he should - a pro among club men - none of the forwards were really that effective.

Nowhere was that more evident than one second-half ruck where the replacement 9 got tangled up, and then FOUR of their forwards bound up to the ruck when they desperately needed a pick n go.

Paddy Ryan should work on playing hard more, and talking less, BTW.

Rams were good, and slightly better than good on occasion. Took advantage of the mistakes and the lack of cohesion by the Eagles. Simple rugby with a good defensive structure and some nice hands. Their counter ruck was also a feature, choosing the right moment to attack the ball and just fanning otherwise.

Mason controlled things well, and showed the value of NOT ASQUITH on an outfit like the Rams. His second half was quieter without Holmes' threat from the base. Gonzalez has faster hands, but isn't quite the physical specimen Holmes is; if he could have learned to pass from an early age, and control some of his bigger brain snaps, Holmes would be a 50-cap Wallaby by now.

This win doesn't suddenly elevate the Rams to superiority - they'll struggle against sides as the comp goes on, when everyone has had time to work on their defense.

It was good to see a club with some handling skills though. Something Australian rugby has lost in the pursuit of kids who bully their way through schools comps.

Pfitzy, I reckon there was quite a bit of good ball handling skills on display by all teams this past weekend. Some of the backing up and off loading was very satisfying to see.

 

[Pfitzy]

I thought the Rams lock, Albert Tuisue had a strong game. Physical and had a good workrate.


I looked up his stats and it seems he is only 192cm which is a shame. Big enough to be a good lock at this level, but not really at Super Rugby level without being a truly elite player.

That's the thing about the entire Rams pack though - besides Roach up front and Holloway out back, it is mostly workmanlike. Some great club players in there like Kotoni Ale but not too many you'd pick to go to the next level.

I still think someone like Holmes is a weakness in such a team - he's too individualistic and the breaks he made against the Eagles will only lead to trouble against a better team.

 

[Pfitzy]

Nick Kellaway was quite impressive in the loose.

I only really noticed him saw him when he was giving away penalties, but I was watching the Rams moreso.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I thought Paddy Ryan had a good game. Staniforth was good too and worked pretty hard, particularly running the ball. Nick Kellaway was quite impressive in the loose.

Maclean Jones was a bit of a letdown at 7. Really struggled to make an impact on the game.

BH, I've always thought the weaker part of Staniforth's game is in his ball carrying. Very rarely makes more than a metre or two over the gain line. But he has a huge workload, is fast around the field (witness the number of times he is in position to take a hit-up albeit not with a lot of effectiveness), he is very strong in defense especially one on one, and his lineout skills are very good. He will be a benefit to the Tahs in 2018, but don't expect him to make a tonne of line breaks or huge metres in attack.

 

[Braveheart81]

BH, I've always thought the weaker part of Staniforth's game is in his ball carrying. Very rarely makes more than a metre or two over the gain line. But he has a huge workload, is fast around the field (witness the number of times he is in position to take a hit-up albeit not with a lot of effectiveness), he is very strong in defense especially one on one, and his lineout skills are very good. He will be a benefit to the Tahs in 2018, but don't expect him to make a tonne of line breaks or huge metres in attack.

Yes, he ran pretty well at NRC level on the weekend and could get over the advantage line but the challenge is taking that up a level against more physical opponents and generally faster line speed.

If he wants to start for the Tahs next year he has to play lock and realistically needs to be the physical, ball running lock as Simmons edges him at set piece.

I tend to think the Tahs need to recruit another quality locks till and Staniforth might fit best on the bench.

As sad as it is for the Force, the Tahs need to be chasing Adam Coleman and if he has already made alternative plans, Matt Philip.

 

[Pfitzy]

Josh Holmes out with a knee injury until further notice. Awaiting specialist advice.