What a dilemma we've found ourselves in.
We've recruited/retained an under strength and under sized forward pack that struggles to assert its dominance over other teams.
As a result we're relying on our outside backs to help set our forward platform rather than adding punch when needed.
So instead of targeting tired forwards with pace and footwork and creating line breaks and second phase, what they're doing is taking one-out hit ups early on in our sets like a bunch of battering rams...
And because of the frequency at which they're doing this, they're getting more fatigued than they usually would which is causing various lapses in concentration and repeated errors.
In turn, these repeated errors are forcing more pressure onto our already struggling forward pack and so repeats the circle of life.
This is the reason
Maumalo's job is safe. This is the reason CNK can't get a look in. The sooner our forward pack starts dominating other teams the sooner we can get in some speed and finesse on the edges and start looking like a real footy team again.
Therefore, I'd like to see the following changes:
- Matulino in (if fit) for Sao
- Vete in for Gubb
- Bunty in for Thompson (if suspended)
- Possibly a reserve forward like Satai or a Sipley for a short 15min stint
- 4 prop bench with regular rotations to keep the intensity high
If we can start to gain some consistent forward dominance or even parity (over a 2-3 week period) I'd then look at bringing in some speed with the likes of CNK (for
Maumalo) and Roach (bench).
Just to make my point clear, I think wingers and outside backs should only be used as battering rams in tough times when you're in a real grind and your forwards are out on their heels, as can be seen with Manu in the Kiwis or in State of Origin games. I don't think that should be our default setting to be used for 80min week in and week out all season. It takes far too much out of our backline and dulls our strike weapons.
