NRC Round 4: Canberra Vikings v Western Sydney Rams

[WorkingClassRugger]

Close margins in all.

Ah well, was not to be. Well done to Canberra for defending the shield.

That's the problem. Was the same last season as well. Get themselves into a position to actually press for the win and then shit the bed. It's very frustrating for a Rams supporter's perspective.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Not a very inspiring game from either the Rams or the Vikings. Weather might have been part of that. But Vikings have to lose the kicking game plan. First half particularly, they kicked as soon as they got possession and the Rams simply kept ball in hand and ran it back to the same field position.

Amy Perrett will have to understand scrums a bit better before she can hope to referee at higher levels. Unfathomable decisions went both ways but was particularly harsh on the vikings scrum and also at the breakdown. Penalty count must have ended up something like 20 - 10 (some exaggeration but not keeping a count myself, that was the impression).

Disappointing games again from Robbie Coleman until he went off, and from Jarrad Butler. Connal McInerney looked good again when he came on - two or three pilfers and a try at the back of the maul. Staniforth has tremendous strength in one-on-one situations.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Good player, bad 10. Is Jai Ayoub no longer playing? Never thought he was a world beater, but this is a much better team than he ever played with, and with him at 10 and Asquith supporting in the Centers or at fullback, it'd be better than it is now.

Pretty much my thoughts. As I've said, I'm sure he's trying but in a competition like the NRC which is essentially a sprint trying isn't always good enough. He would function a lot better in the centres and not having to create for others.

You can see in his play his thinking isn't quite quick enough, essentially questioning everything he does before more often than not seeking the contact. That's not what 10s are supposed to do. Identify opportunity, guide the necessary pieces into place and create the necessary time and space to execute.

At least Walton satisfies most of the role. He's no world beater but he gets the backline functioning.

Seriously, how long did Sam Greene sign in Japan for? If I were the Rams I'd start talking to him about having a run with us next season.

 

[Pfitzy]

Shit.

 

[kiap]

Match report is up on the front page. Quick work!

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/vikings-win-tough-one-rams/#disqus_thread

 

[mst]

Not a very inspiring game from either the Rams or the Vikings. Weather might have been part of that. But Vikings have to lose the kicking game plan. First half particularly, they kicked as soon as they got possession and the Rams simply kept ball in hand and ran it back to the same field position.

Amy Perrett will have to understand scrums a bit better before she can hope to referee at higher levels. Unfathomable decisions went both ways but was particularly harsh on the vikings scrum and also at the breakdown. Penalty count must have ended up something like 20 - 10 (some exaggeration but not keeping a count myself, that was the impression).

Disappointing games again from Robbie Coleman until he went off, and from Jarrad Butler. Connal McInerney looked good again when he came on - two or three pilfers and a try at the back of the maul. Staniforth has tremendous strength in one-on-one situations.

I think she is on track, just needs more time in the middle to get exposure and experience to the difference in scrums and breakdowns, Overall I though she went OK.

Coleman is not a 10 and never will be and the experiment need to be ended ASAP. Bring in Horan or one of the JiD 10"s.

Butler seems to have plateaued and I am starting to ask if we need him both at the Vikings and especially at the Brumbies.

Brumbies should lock up McInerney ASAP as I think he might jump ahead of Able, if he hasn't already.

Still impressed with JJH at 12, and wonder if having him In the EPS and not main squad is a mistake. I think he looks like he is offering more than Godwin,

 

[Brumby Runner]

JJH has a lot of ability, but unfortunately is undersized for pro rugby imo. Reminds me of Robbie Coleman - talent but not able to consistently play to the standard required of Super Rugby. The two of them together at 10/12 is certainly a big error. Just have big boppers running at the 10/12 channel and the Vikings will eventually succumb.

Wholeheartedly agree re McInerney. He is the future with Moore gone - not Saia, not Robbie Abel and in a year or so, not Mann-Rea.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Tough conditions to get much going in the backs I think the Rams were slightly in front in the forwards battle. Skelton played 60 minutes and was effective along side Toleafoa.

Vikings kicking options were poor comapred to say Scott Gale whose left foot grubbers found space in behind the Vikings defence.

McInerney made a huge difference when he came on and was a tough choice between him and Enever for MOTM as Enever stole some lineouts at crucial times.

Staniforth put in a good game at times but was let down by poor handling, but wasn't the only one.

The scrums were a real battle with the Rams getting on top early, only for the Vikings to come back towards the end.

Rams could consider themselves very unlucky.

Good to see Peter Sterling (Muggleton's brother in law) and Blake Austin from the Raiders there to watch.

EDIT: and one T Horan watching Alex go around for the Griffins in their 56-7 win.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I thought the most lineout pinches were made by Staniforth. They (TS and BE) do look alike in the way they play. Tom must have caused at least three or four turnovers just by holding the ball runner up in the tackle and forcing a collapsed maul.

 

[HJ Nelson]

[quote="Brumby Runner, post: 880695, member: 10347",]

Amy Perrett will have to understand scrums a bit better before she can hope to referee at higher levels. Unfathomable decisions went both ways[/quote]

Sounds like she is already set for the highest level

 

[Hawko]

[quote="Brumby Runner, post: 880695, member: 10347",]

Amy Perrett will have to understand scrums a bit better before she can hope to referee at higher levels. Unfathomable decisions went both ways

Sounds like she is already set for the highest level[/quote]


Would you rather have Perrett or Poite as your test referee?

 

[TOCC]

Amy Perrett will have to understand scrums a bit better before she can hope to referee at higher levels. Unfathomable decisions went both ways but was particularly harsh on the vikings scrum and also at the breakdown. Penalty count must have ended up something like 20 - 10 (some exaggeration but not keeping a count myself, that was the impression).

Penalty count was 13-15 against the Rams

 

[TOCC]

Rams lost 10 lineouts in this match, that is they lost over half the line-outs on their own throw

 

[Brumby Runner]

^^^^^^^ Yep, the Vikings lineout had a ball. Most attribute the wins against the throw to Enever, but I thought Staniforth had a big hand in it. Either way, the jumping of Carter, Enever and Staniforth was great to watch.

 

[Slim 293]

I thought the most lineout pinches were made by Staniforth. They (TS and BE) do look alike in the way they play. Tom must have caused at least three or four turnovers just by holding the ball runner up in the tackle and forcing a collapsed maul.

The first steal was certainly wrongly attributed to Enever by the commentators when it was definitely Staniforth at the front........

There was another lineout 10mins in the first half that Staniforth spoiled........

And he was also responsible for the last lineout steal of the game in the 79th minute.

But most of the turnovers did come from Enever, who is very good in the lineout......... it was something he excelled at for the Brumbies last year when he got his chance to start - bagged a few steals at the latter end of the season.

** The Vikings threw in a lineout 70mins in which they won, and the commentary referred to it as a 'turnover'.............

 

[Slim 293]

I've really been talking up Staniforth lately, but damn...... how many tackles did he hold up or nearly hold up in the first half?

McInerney very impressive in the second half.

 

[Brumby Runner]

The first steal was certainly wrongly attributed to Enever by the commentators when it was definitely Staniforth at the front....

There was another lineout 10mins in the first half that Staniforth spoiled....

And he was also responsible for the last lineout steal of the game in the 79th minute.

But most of the turnovers did come from Enever, who is very good in the lineout... it was something he excelled at for the Brumbies last year when he got his chance to start - bagged a few steals at the latter end of the season.

** The Vikings threw in a lineout 70mins in which they won, and the commentary referred to it as a 'turnover'.....

Yep - remember that. Phil Waugh seems to know very little about the game for someone who played at the very top. But of course, he meets the Matt Burke specification for being a commentator.

 

[I like to watch]

Really?
I watched the telecast and his commentary was universally praised by those with me.
I think he is substantially better than Burke,and is clearly the best of the NRC crew, Shepherd adds little value,and Benn Robbo says some really dumb things ( as an example, he thought a penalty goal was a good option...at one stage)

He's only new at commentating,so there's plenty of upside.

 

[Lindommer]

Don't forget Robbo was a prop.

 

[Mustafa]

Good player, bad 10. Is Jai Ayoub no longer playing? Never thought he was a world beater, but this is a much better team than he ever played with, and with him at 10 and Asquith supporting in the Centers or at fullback, it'd be better than it is now.

Is his father a player agent ?