Re: SL RD 7 | Hull KR (A) : Sat Apr 01, 2023 12:39 pm  

You would think we had just got absolutely smashed.
It was 20-12 and we gave away a ridiculously easy try at the start of the second half.
It was awful weather, the ruck was painfully slow, we had a fullback making his SL debut, our winger went off early, we are playing away, that is a horrible ground to play at, they have probably the best kicker in SL, some of our back 3 had absolutely awful performances. And with all that we lost by 8 points.
I see some points about line speed and passive defence. Our defence isn’t passive when we are defending close to opposition line. Just watched some NRL this morning there wasn’t super fast line speed. Just because saints defend like that is doesn’t mean it’s the only way to defend. Players clearly instructed to apply line speed depending on field position, maybe it’s just the players aren’t good enough to do what is being asked?
Secondly, Leeds are not going to be consistent, the way they play is not set up for it. Could Hull get near a GF, no they couldn’t, because they play super structured, apply pressure and score from being close to the line. That’s how a number of teams play and the other teams play it much better. Could Leeds get to a GF, yes they could. Why - because they play differently, far more off the cuff, hot and cold and they can win one off games. Now i know a lot won’t like that but it’s true. It’s going to be entertaining, up and down and there will be awful performances along the way. Just going to have to accept that is where we are and that is the team we are at the moment.

Re: SL RD 7 | Hull KR (A) : Sat Apr 01, 2023 12:40 pm  

We've had too many of 'those nights' in the opening stages to this season warrington, cas, Wakefield first half, Hull, cats first half really irratic, KR. it is worrying because playing badly is more the norm so far accounting for about 5 of the 7 games we've played. Martin last week was the embodiment of leeds this year, sublime one minute, ridiculous the next.

Re: SL RD 7 | Hull KR (A) : Sat Apr 01, 2023 12:57 pm  

Lprhino wrote:

You would think we had just got absolutely smashed.
It was 20-12 and we gave away a ridiculously easy try at the start of the second half.
It was awful weather, the ruck was painfully slow, we had a fullback making his SL debut, our winger went off early, we are playing away, that is a horrible ground to play at, they have probably the best kicker in SL, some of our back 3 had absolutely awful performances. And with all that we lost by 8 points.
I see some points about line speed and passive defence. Our defence isn’t passive when we are defending close to opposition line. Just watched some NRL this morning there wasn’t super fast line speed. Just because saints defend like that is doesn’t mean it’s the only way to defend. Players clearly instructed to apply line speed depending on field position, maybe it’s just the players aren’t good enough to do what is being asked?
Secondly, Leeds are not going to be consistent, the way they play is not set up for it. Could Hull get near a GF, no they couldn’t, because they play super structured, apply pressure and score from being close to the line. That’s how a number of teams play and the other teams play it much better. Could Leeds get to a GF, yes they could. Why - because they play differently, far more off the cuff, hot and cold and they can win one off games. Now i know a lot won’t like that but it’s true. It’s going to be entertaining, up and down and there will be awful performances along the way. Just going to have to accept that is where we are and that is the team we are at the moment.

Great post

Re: SL RD 7 | Hull KR (A) : Sat Apr 01, 2023 1:04 pm  

mattsrhinos1978 wrote:

Im still a fan of Smith, but think he's maybe teetering the wrong side of the line separating fresh/new ideas and ignoring the principals of successful rugby at the moment. The slow, connected line speed was literally the worst tactic we could of used in those conditions with that kicker last night, we practically invited them into putting bombs up with the ammount of ground we surrenderd.

Feel like he's attempting to reinvent the wheel at the minute, the signs were there in Pre season, with what appeared to be way too much unnecessary piddling about with positions etc and has carried over into our season to date imo.

Really feel for Sam Walters aswel, if the teams picked on form, he should not of been dropped for the Cas game or last night.

I can see Walters signing for another SL club.His stats last week were better than Sangnare and Lisone.More tackles and hit ups.I hope he starts against Huddersfield.I would play Tet in the backrow.

Re: SL RD 7 | Hull KR (A) : Sat Apr 01, 2023 1:12 pm  

fanstanningley wrote:

I can see Walters signing for another SL club.His stats last week were better than Sangnare and Lisone.More tackles and hit ups.I hope he starts against Huddersfield.I would play Tet in the backrow.

Walters will get plenty game time this year, we’re actually pretty well stocked in the forwards for once so they will get rotated.

Think we’ll see Martin in the centres for an extended period with Macdonald on the wing so Tet may well get used as a SR

Re: SL RD 7 | Hull KR (A) : Sat Apr 01, 2023 1:20 pm  

Smith said he'd be rotating the forwards all year. I imagine Walters will be fine with that so long as he sees he gets chances.

But he just has to bite the bullet and drop Olpherts, and he also needs to start picking Johnson every week. Hooley had an absolute mare, but that was a terrible game to debut in, especially after having played just one reserve game this year. He needs to get a run of games in the reserves and build his confidence. It wouldn't do Olpherts any harm to do the same.

Re: SL RD 7 | Hull KR (A) : Sat Apr 01, 2023 1:22 pm  

Lprhino wrote:

You would think we had just got absolutely smashed.
It was 20-12 and we gave away a ridiculously easy try at the start of the second half.
It was awful weather, the ruck was painfully slow, we had a fullback making his SL debut, our winger went off early, we are playing away, that is a horrible ground to play at, they have probably the best kicker in SL, some of our back 3 had absolutely awful performances. And with all that we lost by 8 points.
I see some points about line speed and passive defence. Our defence isn’t passive when we are defending close to opposition line. Just watched some NRL this morning there wasn’t super fast line speed. Just because saints defend like that is doesn’t mean it’s the only way to defend. Players clearly instructed to apply line speed depending on field position, maybe it’s just the players aren’t good enough to do what is being asked?
Secondly, Leeds are not going to be consistent, the way they play is not set up for it. Could Hull get near a GF, no they couldn’t, because they play super structured, apply pressure and score from being close to the line. That’s how a number of teams play and the other teams play it much better. Could Leeds get to a GF, yes they could. Why - because they play differently, far more off the cuff, hot and cold and they can win one off games. Now i know a lot won’t like that but it’s true. It’s going to be entertaining, up and down and there will be awful performances along the way. Just going to have to accept that is where we are and that is the team we are at the moment.

Great post . Completely agree with all of that. Could not have summer that up anywhere near as well …..bravo….

Re: SL RD 7 | Hull KR (A) : Sat Apr 01, 2023 1:27 pm  

Shabino wrote:

Great post . Completely agree with all of that. Could not have summer that up anywhere near as well …..bravo….

I wish it was summer

Re: SL RD 7 | Hull KR (A) : Sat Apr 01, 2023 1:34 pm  

christopher wrote:

Mcdonald had a bit of a calf strain, should be ok for next week.

Fusi has knackered his ankle, I bet we don’t see him for a few months.

Jesus wept. What a waste of money he’s been

Re: SL RD 7 | Hull KR (A) : Sat Apr 01, 2023 1:36 pm  

Trebor1 wrote:

Jesus wept. What a waste of money he’s been

It’s a shame for him as he was actually starting to finally find his feet