I don't agree that his squad's strengths preclude good attacking ball-in-hand rugby. The squad has some wonderful talent but the coaching team cannot imagine a gameplan that will harness it, so they revert to safety-first.
Its the selection of the starting 15 that does that. Select Mowen on the bench behind Mumm/Dennis, select Carter at 13, select Anese even though its not working, select two playmakers at 10/12 with Barnes off-colour too, allow Burgess to run every time he gets his hand on the ball, those are the things that ensure that we play with the current style.
If Betham and Nadolo were sharing a wing, Sidey at 13 until Horne's hammy is up to it, Turner at 15 and Beale/Barnes sharing 12 until Barnes form recovers, Hangers playing closer to the advantage line, Burgess told to pass immediately off the ground 90% of the time then rugby would break out.
Then use the pick-and-go from the base as a surprise by using forward pods 5m off the ruck receiving 20-30% of Burgess's early ball. Mowen plays six for the first 65 then takes over 7 (Waugh is having little impact in the last 15 minutes and appears to have over-worked himself; but you cannot criticise his heart, its immense), Mumm/Dennis comes on at 6.
That team, along with the most awesome scrum in the competition, has the potential to play a game of rugby that would blow teams off the park. That's why Tah fans are so critical of what is dished up, we KNOW it could be so much better.
