Watched it live, didn't know it was going to be streamed and I'm only 20 mins away. Live it seemed both teams were pretty committed, contact was heavy. It was an early trial designed to help the coaching staff look at work-ons for the fringe players and they'll have a long list. Without overly bagging anyone, there was a lot to improve on, mainly in the rugby IQ direction. Backline players made some bad decisions while trying to impress, the forwards work lacked cohesion. I've identified some players via their jersey number compared to the published list - there were a number I didn't recognise, so I apologise for any mistakes in advance:
Wilson/Goddard and Edmed ran the backline well and Edmed's field kicking was good, but he needs to practise his sideline place kicks. Wilson ran the ball nicely when required. I think he will be the back-up 9 and take over when Jake moves on. He impressed me.
Karawalevu looked classy with ball in hand but his fielding of high kicks was very iffy.
Saunders outclassed his opponent, he looked VERY quick and elusive, but he's pretty light. If he can add 15kg of muscle without losing the top end speed then he'll be a handful.
We lost far too many lineouts, more practice required.
23, Komolafe? got into space and kicked repeatedly. Its a hero play with low chance of success. Take the hit and recycle is far more likely to result in a score, just not a score by the recycler.
Barratt played the full game. I guess they wanted to see how his condition was. Couple of years and he could be anything, right now he looks green.
20 Cameron? made the low point of the game by taking a quick throw and hitting one of the Pasifica forwards right on the chest. He'll cringe watching the replay.
Good hitout and it certainly helped take my mind off the Jones/McLennan disaster.
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