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NRC Rnd 4: NSW Country v Canberra Vikings

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Slim 293

Slim 293

Stirling Mortlock (74)
NSW COUNTRY v CANBERRA VIKINGS, Armidale, 1pm AEST

LIVE on foxsports.com.au for anyone with a FOX SPORTS digital subscription


NSW Country: TBA


Canberra Vikings: 1. Sione Taula, 2. Connal Mcinerney, 3. Tom Ross, 4. Blake Enever, 5. Darcy Swain, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Michael Oakman-Hunt, 8. Ben Hyne (c), 9. Joe Powell, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 11. Andy Muirhead, 12. Jordan Jackson-Hope, 13. Irae Simone, 14. Lausii Taliauli, 15. Mack Hansen.
Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Vunipola Fifita, 18. Max Bode, 19. BJ Edwards, 20. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Moah Lolesio, 23. Len Ikitau

IN: Noah Lolesio, Max Bode
OUT: Les Makin, Tom Banks
 
Brumby Runner

Brumby Runner

Jason Little (69)
Some early thoughts on the Vikings.

Hope Tom Ross can handle the scrum better than he did against the Force. Don't know anything about Max Bode, but he could be in for an early game if there are problems.

Great to see Valetini in the starting lineup. If he can stay injury-free, he has a big future in front of him.

I will be interested in seeing how Simone handles the 13 spot at this level. He looks to have a wide array of skills in his SS performances. Can run, break the line, put supports through gaps and has what looks like more than a half effective kicking game.

I'm not yet sure of Hansen at this level. Will have to keep an eye on him.
 
neilc

neilc

Bob Loudon (25)
That's a fairly useful looking Vikings lineup. Can't see NSW Country doing much based on their matches so far whereas Canberra have looked good.
 
Brumby Runner

Brumby Runner

Jason Little (69)
NSW Country on top at half time, 14 - 0. One penalty try and a good backline move for a try by Newsome.

Referee Murphy has some very unique rulings at scrum time. In a series of scrums on the Vikings' 5m line, which led to the YC for Sione Taula and the penalty try, the Vikings on one occasion pushed straight and over the ball but Murphy awarded the penalty to the Eagles. Mystifying. Had it gone to the Vikings as it appeared to be on the screen, that would have broken the series of 5m scrums and probably would have avoided the YC and try.

Anyway, Vikings are their own worst enemy with dropped ball spoiling every promising move by them. On that subject, Ben Hyne is the worst offender followed by JJH. Both have coughed up possession on multiple occasions. Second half will need to a lot more disciplined or the win will go the Eagles way.
 
Up the Guts

Up the Guts

Steve Williams (59)
Geez Valetini looking lame again, can't catch a break poor kid. He and Uelese have had terrible luck with injuries.
 
Brumby Runner

Brumby Runner

Jason Little (69)
Great post Slim. :eek::(

Good finish by JJH but the try could have been scored by any of the three players on the overlap. If you'd like to make a worthwhile observation, how did you think Simone went at 13? Bit of a mixed bag imo. Showed how strong he can be in traffic by busting tackles and being hard to pull down, but didn't seem to know where the sideline was on a couple of occasions.

Wouldn't mind seeing the Simone at 12 and Ikitau at 13 combination tried in coming weeks. The Vikings need to work out the best option for using these three players.

But more urgently, they need to get a Pocock clone or similar into the No 7 spot asap. Won't win the big games if they can't get their hands on the ball.
 
griffins

griffins

Ted Thorn (20)
Brumby Runner said:
Great post Slim. :eek::(

Good finish by JJH but the try could have been scored by any of the three players on the overlap. If you'd like to make a worthwhile observation, how did you think Simone went at 13? Bit of a mixed bag imo. Showed how strong he can be in traffic by busting tackles and being hard to pull down, but didn't seem to know where the sideline was on a couple of occasions.

Wouldn't mind seeing the Simone at 12 and Ikitau at 13 combination tried in coming weeks. The Vikings need to work out the best option for using these three players.

But more urgently, they need to get a Pocock clone or similar into the No 7 spot asap. Won't win the big games if they can't get their hands on the ball.
Click to expand...


I think a Pocock clone would probably be in the Wallabies squad and not much use to the Canberra Vikings. Presumably you meant someone who is a bit harder on the ball than MOH? There isn't really anyone else in the squad who plays that traditional 7 role. Also worth noting that McInerny is very good over the ball at 2 and Hyne is also very effective at slowing the ball at the breakdown. The trio that started on the weekend was our best option, and will need to change anyway this week with Valetini seemingly out again.

Not getting into the middle of the JJH debate as it seems you've made your mind up.
 
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