Re: Starting Props : Sun Mar 24, 2024 1:26 pm  

I don't think the OP is wrong at all. Oledzki and Holroyd aren't England regulars, and against Sts you can see why. I'm not suggesting we should get rid, but they need to play a lot better than Friday if we're to do anything against Sts or Wigan. Holroyd looked great at the start of last year but faded and now looks completely average. Oledzki looked good last week, but couldn't follow it up. Not sure there's anything wrong with pointing that out? If it was a one-off maybe, but far too often when it counts our pack gets pushed around and we win in spite of them not because of them.

Our front row is just not damaging enough with the ball. Lisone can be in spells, but the rest are just too easy to stop or put down. The inability to dent the line in a serious way means slow PTBs, lack of field position (worse as its compounded by a defence that's seemingly happy to let opponents make huge yardage) and its one of the reasons we struggle to score from close in. There's no real threat of one of our forwards smashing their way over, so defences can get set and wait for the ball to be spread without committing too many tacklers into the ruck.

When you then add a back row with little or no physical presence with the ball, its no wonder we're struggling to score a lot of points.

I know he won't do it, but IMO Smith should move to get Ruan and TNW into the 17 as often as possible. Given the options we have I don't see where else the physicality we lack is going to come from. A complete change of mindset could work, but I doubt our forwards as a group have the sort of mongrel we need in them.

Re: Starting Props : Sun Mar 24, 2024 1:29 pm  

Once were Loiners wrote:

I don't think the OP is wrong at all. Oledzki and Holroyd aren't England regulars, and against Sts you can see why. I'm not suggesting we should get rid, but they need to play a lot better than Friday if we're to do anything against Sts or Wigan. Holroyd looked great at the start of last year but faded and now looks completely average. Oledzki looked good last week, but couldn't follow it up. Not sure there's anything wrong with pointing that out? If it was a one-off maybe, but far too often when it counts our pack gets pushed around and we win in spite of them not because of them.

Our front row is just not damaging enough with the ball. Lisone can be in spells, but the rest are just too easy to stop or put down. The inability to dent the line in a serious way means slow PTBs, lack of field position (worse as its compounded by a defence that's seemingly happy to let opponents make huge yardage) and its one of the reasons we struggle to score from close in. There's no real threat of one of our forwards smashing their way over, so defences can get set and wait for the ball to be spread without committing too many tacklers into the ruck.

When you then add a back row with little or no physical presence with the ball, its no wonder we're struggling to score a lot of points.

I know he won't do it, but IMO Smith should move to get Ruan and TNW into the 17 as often as possible. Given the options we have I don't see where else the physicality we lack is going to come from. A complete change of mindset could work, but I doubt our forwards as a group have the sort of mongrel we need in them.

Our back row is very predictable too, despite odd class game from Martin. Very rare to see a forward break the line….

Re: Starting Props : Sun Mar 24, 2024 2:12 pm  

We were and still are crying out for an enforcer to lead from the front someone who the opposition are wary of like JWH who dominated the South's pack not all Nrl imports are flops just the one's Rohan signs.

Re: Starting Props : Sun Mar 24, 2024 4:15 pm  

I wonder if JWH knows the rules are changing next season.

Re: Starting Props : Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:46 pm  

Jack Burton wrote:

I wonder if JWH knows the rules are changing next season.

Exactly this namby pamby view totally killing our great game meanwhile in Australia

Re: Starting Props : Sun Mar 24, 2024 7:43 pm  

It's been pointed out loads about our pack issues.
MIk and Holroyd supported by big fellas that play shorter stints but have a much bigger impact is what we need.
The lack of strike power,offload or brute force in the back row is an issue too.

When we signed Goudemand,Hudson and re-signed Donaldson and Bentley it was obvious none of those issues would be addressed.
Same with Fusitua and needing a winger who plays more than 50% of games to the required standard.

Even with Myler and Olpherts leaving we won't have enough to fix owt mid season so it's hoping that GH and RS can pull another few big signings at the end of the season to fix the pack and wing

Re: Starting Props : Mon Mar 25, 2024 1:51 am  

RAPIDO wrote:

Exactly this namby pamby view totally killing our great game meanwhile in Australia

Jusr watch the NRL instead then. It may make you less miserable.

Re: Starting Props : Mon Mar 25, 2024 6:28 am  

The problem by the way isn't really with any individual player. Bentley's a grafter in defence. McDonnell works hard and runs good lines, so does Martin. Sangare draws in defenders even if he doesn't break the line. Lisone can be a wrecking ball against a back-pedalling defence. Etc etc. But as a group they are too small and have poor go-forward, and they don't make up for that by aggressive defence as a unit.

Re: Starting Props : Mon Mar 25, 2024 7:47 am  

Faz n Fleary original Bash Brothers.
Awesome .
Glanville was my hero he used to cut the opposition in two with clean hard tackling .

Re: Starting Props : Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:12 am  

A more experienced prop to lead the pack would be good, but likely to come at a premium. Let's not forget we've been looking for this player since Peacock retired.