So where does he play? because i don't think he talks enough at the back either, not only was that strip the most embarrassing try I've ever seen scored but that mix up with Perrett was under 10's stuff. Everybody knows you call for the ball and if that's not you, back up.
I agree... but I think a roving hooker role would be ideal... he'd have the opportunity to put himself in the backline... perhaps have Fein playing dummy half down the right side of the field and Hohaia the left with Marshall predominantly playing first receiver.
Bit of a long shot though really, it's pretty obvious Kearney will persist with him at the back, hopefully he give him a kick in the backside along with his test jersey next week.
Too true, I agree completely. I think it's more difficult in today's game with kick fielding becoming a bit of an all-in every man for himself affair... but even though that kick had a little bit of pressure on it, either player should have made the call. If I remember rightly, they didn't have to jump to get it? Even when the catch is contested, surely it makes sense to have one man go for the ball and the rest stay grounded and ready to take the 'rebound' or tackle.
You mean we would have lost because we wouldn't have scored that last try? We wouldn't have needed it if Lance was at hooker, because they wouldn't have gotten the Thurston try
I just got a text from someone in the Kiwi camp and they said that Eddie Pettybourne has just been put on a plane in Sydney to join the Kiwi camp in England to cover for Lima and Harrison.
I have no idea how this works because Tim Sheens was all over the t.v last week saying that they've changed the rules and once the tournament begins there are no more ring ins allowed. Maybe it has something to do with the 24 man quota? Maybe there is a loophole where you just can't go over 24 men in your squad, which could be the reason only 23 were named, so that he could wait to see if a forward of back went down and include them in a 24 man quota or something. I'm not sure but I know that Eddy Pettybourne is definitely on his way into the Kiwi camp.
I have no idea how this works because Tim Sheens was all over the t.v last week saying that they've changed the rules and once the tournament begins there are no more ring ins allowed. Maybe it has something to do with the 24 man quota? Maybe there is a loophole where you just can't go over 24 men in your squad, which could be the reason only 23 were named, so that he could wait to see if a forward of back went down and include them in a 24 man quota or something. I'm not sure but I know that Eddy Pettybourne is definitely on his way into the Kiwi camp.
What I'm hoping doesn't happen, is that Tim Sheens is woken up by this draw and actually selects a good forward pack should Australia and NZ meet in the final.
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Interesting... obviously a strategic move from NZRL if they truly have called Pettybourne as cover. Packer is a kiwi through and through... Pettybourne suits the Kiwi's style of play this morning... but I would have thought a specialist front row was in order? Especially considering that Adam Blair is now more of a utility forward.
thurston is the best league player in the world,he does special things at the time its needed most. dont be so harsh on lance.
thurston would have ripped that ball off anyfull back who was playing for the kiwis today.
hes done it many of times this year in the nrl.
as with inglis bumping off sau,same thing goes doesnt matter whos in inglis way hell bump u off in a 1 on 1 situation.sau had a great game, he reminds me of ropati when in hot form.
thurston would have ripped that ball off anyfull back who was playing for the kiwis today.
hes done it many of times this year in the nrl.
as with inglis bumping off sau,same thing goes doesnt matter whos in inglis way hell bump u off in a 1 on 1 situation.sau had a great game, he reminds me of ropati when in hot form.
It wasn't really that which bothered me Romel... it's things like the mixup between him and Perrett, and his failure sometimes to take kicks on the full. I think he's exceptional at fullback in the opposition's half... but when it comes to the basic skills required to be a fullback he's a little shaky.
I won't be frothing at the mouth if he retains the number 1 jersey... he does need to be on the paddock and to be honest fullback is the logical spot for him with the kiwis. With a couple more games he should be ok... I just personally think Perrett should have been at the back from the start.
I won't be frothing at the mouth if he retains the number 1 jersey... he does need to be on the paddock and to be honest fullback is the logical spot for him with the kiwis. With a couple more games he should be ok... I just personally think Perrett should have been at the back from the start.
You mean we would have lost because we wouldn't have scored that last try? We wouldn't have needed it if Lance was at hooker, because they wouldn't have gotten the Thurston try
I suppose so except that Thurston would've done that to most fullbacks (not Perret though) whereas only a few players could score that try with the sort of ease that Lance did. Australia had to know that was coming and there was nothing they could do about it.
Try of the match for me was Frank Pritchard's, his ball control was amazing. Why can't he do that more consistantly?
big wow. kiwis deserved to win and it was their defence that really stood out. aussies had nothing on them. without inglis the aussies wouldve got a spanking. we need someone to close that guy down. easier said than done but he is causing so many problems. he was untouchable in that game. if mannering was avail i would put him at centre.
but it was a great game by the boys. so spirited and had an origin feel about it (except all those penalties that slowed the flow of the game down)
hohaia - such a talented player. i used to think hooker was his best position but now im starting to rethink things.
goodwin - i released what a smart winger he is. i thought he played really well.
matai - solid without being great. with all the big hits in defence by the kiwis i found it surprising matai wasnt involved in any of those. i think krisnan inu needs to come in for matai in future games. inu is an awesome broken play runner and a great attacking option for the kiwis.
sau - played like an extra forward. great showing but couldnt handle inglis
perrett - i think this guy is so under-rated. if he played for a better club he would get more accolades.
marshall - played well without being great. prob an ave game esp with the high standard that we are used to seeing benji play. but he did have his hand in 2 of the tries and didnt overplay any hands.
fien - im so glad fien made me eat my words. i used to give fieny so much crap when he play halfback but he played amazing. he didnt overplay his hand nor was he a passenger. fien and marshall make a pretty good combo
frank-paul - awesome young prop. played with so much enthusiasm and didnt look out of place in the test arena
leuluai - average game tbh even though i think hooker is his best position
moimoi - like marshall played good but not great. didnt seem to have as much passion as the other guys. couldve been bcos the aussies closed him down a bit.
pritchard - best game ive been him play in the kiwi jersey
harrison - really making a stand at being a regular test player.
blair - in my opinion one of the most skillful forwards in the world. dangerous player but pisses u off sometimes with his stupid play eg giving away penalty at 5th tackle, unneccesary offloads
luke - one of the best players out there for the kiwis. for a small guy he had a lot of sting in his defence.
lima - came in ran hard and bashed the aussie forwards.
JWH - honestly i thought he selection wasnt warranted. i thought the kiwis picked him only so he doesnt play for the aussies in the future. but man can this guy hit. i was jumping out of my seat watching this guy play. prob one of the hardest hitters in the nrl now. he looked so mature out there against the aussies. very impressed.
soliola - always steps up when he wears the black and white.
id keep the team the same but i would replace matai with inu and i would like to put eastwood in for someone.
but it was a great game by the boys. so spirited and had an origin feel about it (except all those penalties that slowed the flow of the game down)
hohaia - such a talented player. i used to think hooker was his best position but now im starting to rethink things.
goodwin - i released what a smart winger he is. i thought he played really well.
matai - solid without being great. with all the big hits in defence by the kiwis i found it surprising matai wasnt involved in any of those. i think krisnan inu needs to come in for matai in future games. inu is an awesome broken play runner and a great attacking option for the kiwis.
sau - played like an extra forward. great showing but couldnt handle inglis
perrett - i think this guy is so under-rated. if he played for a better club he would get more accolades.
marshall - played well without being great. prob an ave game esp with the high standard that we are used to seeing benji play. but he did have his hand in 2 of the tries and didnt overplay any hands.
fien - im so glad fien made me eat my words. i used to give fieny so much crap when he play halfback but he played amazing. he didnt overplay his hand nor was he a passenger. fien and marshall make a pretty good combo
frank-paul - awesome young prop. played with so much enthusiasm and didnt look out of place in the test arena
leuluai - average game tbh even though i think hooker is his best position
moimoi - like marshall played good but not great. didnt seem to have as much passion as the other guys. couldve been bcos the aussies closed him down a bit.
pritchard - best game ive been him play in the kiwi jersey
harrison - really making a stand at being a regular test player.
blair - in my opinion one of the most skillful forwards in the world. dangerous player but pisses u off sometimes with his stupid play eg giving away penalty at 5th tackle, unneccesary offloads
luke - one of the best players out there for the kiwis. for a small guy he had a lot of sting in his defence.
lima - came in ran hard and bashed the aussie forwards.
JWH - honestly i thought he selection wasnt warranted. i thought the kiwis picked him only so he doesnt play for the aussies in the future. but man can this guy hit. i was jumping out of my seat watching this guy play. prob one of the hardest hitters in the nrl now. he looked so mature out there against the aussies. very impressed.
soliola - always steps up when he wears the black and white.
id keep the team the same but i would replace matai with inu and i would like to put eastwood in for someone.
i thought his footwork for such a big guy was amazing. some poly power there. yeh i know ay so frustrating this guy. he should be the nrl;s best backrower
i think you are spot on about hohaia. thats why it confuses me when i think about what his best position is.
perrett is an exceptional fullback. safe under the highball and reads the game so well. he doesnt have the x-factor that slater or hayne does, or otherwise he would be up there was one of the games best.
i dont mind if they both retain their positions either
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one missing things. We must go to the same optometrist!
I think the one to Inglis from Smith was forward but it was marginal. The other one at the end of the match looked diagonally back...not 1m forward.
Oh, that pass - not the one to Inglis? I'd have to have another look.
How the Smith try was supposedly off a 1m forward pass is beyond me, though.
That's a nice thing to say, but I'm not actually in the Kiwis camp. I just said that I'd like to go camping in England one day! Plus I was a bit drunk. Sorry about that.
Hohaia typically has one howler at the back per match. Ironically, this is almost always under the high ball - a dropped bomb, or letting the ball bounce, for example. That didn't happen today...but then he got stripped after breaking two tackles and looking to attack out of the end zone.
I thought he was deserving of the MOTM award, and I liked that he was attacking the ball all game long. That, I feel, has been something lacking in his previous fullback performances.
:nono: Tsk tsk...you're normally quite an astute watcher of the game JB, you missed Hohaia's customary high ball shocker? When both he and Perrett went for the ball, and both ended up missing? To be fair, they should share the blame, but I'd put money that Hohaia was more in the wrong given that Perrett it now an established NRL fullback.
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