structual issues controling the ruck

[fletch]

not sure if it is a result of the new rule interpretations speeding up the game, or a lack of match fitness yet, or the inability to get 3 men into tackles but we have been absolutely killed by the Broncos/Vermin for the majority of both matches in the ruck area.

if we don't start fixing this area, the better attacking sides are going to cut it to shreds, if we play like we have in round 1 and 3 against Manly next Friday night they will put 40 on us.

[stephenj]

i seriously doubt that?

[Chook Norris]

Agreed (just not on the 40 points part). But yes, our team has struggled in dominating the ruck which is a cause for concern

[Salvatori Grubber]

not sure if it is a result of the new rule interpretations speeding up the game, or a lack of match fitness yet, or the inability to get 3 men into tackles but we have been absolutely killed by the Broncos/Vermin for the majority of both matches in the ruck area.

if we don't start fixing this area, the better attacking sides are going to cut it to shreds, if we play like we have in round 1 and 3 against Manly next Friday night they will put 40 on us.

Dang. Didn't see this post and wrote a long one on the match day thread effectively saying this.

It is the new rules, and we showed glimpses of being able to exploit them, but for most of the match it was the opposition exploiting them to our detriment.

For me it comes down to forwards getting a roll-on and "finding their front", and in addition, set completion.

I'm not sure fitness is quite the issue.

[Guest]

Agreed with the ruck area is going to change this year and we will have to modify our approach. We got scored against twice down the short side once when we failed to be ready and push up on the short side early in the game and the second time after good lead up from Thaiday who made a mess of our defensive line the tackle before.

The other area that continues to be an area that needs work on is our edge defence – the shape of our line no one pushing out unless they have made a decision to kill a play, communication and simple calls to release the player outside when we are short on numbers needs to improve.

If you throw in the uncharacteristic mistake from Mini both the first two tries were very defendable, Trent will be aware of those areas and will be focussed on fixing them up.

Add the 11-3 penalty count and the extended sets that these bring with it and the overall possession flow in favour of the Broncos the boys have done remarkably well to win this one.

Sam Moa was my best with Roger having a strong game. Interesting that the game was won off a play from last year which was one of many things the team developed through a lot of hard work – a point that can’t be lost on the players if they are going to win again this year.

[Darkone]

The new rules hurt those who give up penalties the most

In this regard we are the biggest losers

[Vasco]

Has anyone else noticed how players are not using their feet when playing the ball.

It's become a farce.

[stephenj]

2 seasons ago that no feet play was an instant penalty, has that rule changed as well?

[fletch]

Has anyone else noticed how players are not using their feet when playing the ball.

It's become a farce.

the problem is they have sped the game up so much even the refs are struggling to control the fundamentals of the game, forward passes from dummy half/ruck infringements, there are plenty of times we don't even make an attempt to play it with their feet.

you can bet one day soon we will absolutely hammered for it.

[Vasco]

Has anyone else noticed how players are not using their feet when playing the ball.

It's become a farce.

[Tommy Smith]

Jared's play the balls are embarrassing.

I'm stunned that he gets away with it. But he's certainly not on his own.

The only flip side to the new rule changes is that when we actually hold the ball we're devastating in attack.

We scored everytime we were in their 20 and didn't simply drop it.

[stringaz]

That first try to the broncs happened because JWH for some reason went to the short side of the ruck next to Jennings when he would usually go back to the middle closest to the posts. Hunt had too much speed, jwh came out of the line and had to almost sprint to try and cover hunt. Jennings made it worse by not identifying the slower defender inside him and chose to help out toops who only had one player to defend. Hunt slightly dummies and goes in. Mini uncharacteristically lets the ball pop out the back of his arm and thaiday scores.

2 monumental @uckups from the roosters that we hardly see gave the ponies 12 easy points.

Ah rd 3..............so early

[Parkway_Drive]

The only flip side to the new rule changes is that when we actually hold the ball we're devastating in attack.

We scored everytime we were in their 20 and didn't simply drop it.

I get ya drift Tommy...We were pretty clinical in the opposition red zone more often than not last night.

However, I must have been watching a different game to you as I saw us drop the ball three times in their red zone. SKiDs and Jenkos in the first half and Mini in the second half....

[Guest]

My read on the first try was that JWH was ok where he finished up - completed the tackle otherwise would have left a 3 on 2 on the short side. Problem started when the 2nd marker tracked the first marker too hard. With Mini tracking the ball as he should - Broncos turned back short creating a 4 on 3. J W H needed to stay focused until the ball had cleared the ruck and no player could return back down that side. Late response saw him unable to adjust against the smaller faster player. This sort of detail is what Trent excels at as a coach and will be working on the focus on little things like this and agree Vasco some very ordinary play the balls.

[stsae]

3 tries on the last dummy to the open and run to the blind where we were sleeping.

Both sides of the field guilty of napping on the blind and believing the kick on the last would be the play.

I bet womanly try to exploit us in that area. Smart coaches will have paid attention.

I'm sure Trenticles will have taken note too.