Extremely proud of our defence

[roosterchook]

Watching the 17 straight tackles on our line being defended had me in awe of our boys and coach. This was a team missing many of its top players, a B grade roosters side. They did soon score later after Walker was on the ground with a head knock, but defence like this can go a long way to keeping scores close enough to grab a win. I just feel that such an effort deserves recognition. The Tigers should have led by 40 with all the possession and penalties they had. Such was the tenacity and ferociousness of our tackling.

One point I’d like to make though. I think that ‘defence’ should be defined as - tackles + penalties not conceded + errors not committed - not just tackles because continually handing over possession is not good defence.

[Thirteen]

I agree Mate. Was a very impressive defensive effort last night.

[Tennessee Tornado]

Robbo always says the most important part of preseason is to get the D system right. The attack is easy to work on as the season progresses.

Last night you could see that while uninspiring, the focus was getting the foundations right. Tigers on the other hand played an ad lib game which is great for entertainment but does nothing to get a team ready for a season of football

[Rooster_6]

It’s the big question this year without Fitzy. I agree I thought the hunger was there to never stop moving. We must’ve saved at least 3 close to the line through scramble.

It took the Tigers right up until the end of the game to finally score their 2nd try and it ended up being from a kick after Robbo had emptied his bench onto the field and was moving players all over the field to trial new combos and players on different sides.

I would be very concerned if I was a Tigers fan and as a Roosters fan I’m tentative to read too much into last night because of just how poor the Tigers were despite a clear advantage in top 17 players named.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

Agree defense was excellent and a great hitout for the start of the season. On another note, I reckon Hastings looks like an improved player

[Roosterfarian]

They should have stopped the game when Walker got the head injury. That should not have been a try.

[Rooster_6]

They should have stopped the game when Walker got the head injury. That should not have been a try.

Yeh they’re very hit and miss on this, they’re instructed to stop the game when it’s a head knock I doubt that would have changed for 2022.

[Rooster_6]

I really liked what I saw from Momorovski defensively too, shut down a lot of half chances with some really good reads.

[DP1990]

Impressed by the team's effort last night especially in defence (The Bondi Wall Rises !), obviously not at full strength so no major concerns. Yet again, we need to sort out our goal-kicking for this season so hopefully this doesn't become a major issue.


Even though Kevin Naiqama scored a try which was given to him on a platter, he was a little disappointing for my liking. I'm not sure if he's the right choice moving forward. Joseph Suaalii ? Billy Smith ? even another Fijian option ... Vuate Karawalevu ? but he's probably best to be a depth/cover option.

[Roosterfarian]

Naiqama is a poor man’s Joe Burgess.

[Rooster_6]

Naiqama is a poor man’s Joe Burgess.

Naiqama was very underrated in some very poor Tigers sides. Give him some time.

[The Lip]

Naiqama was really poor. Looked tiny out there as well.

Agree our defence was really good for 95% of the time - repeat sets penalties etc and we defended strongly.

Our go forward was non existent though. I was disappointed in our forwards. Even though we had most of our starting pack out I expected more from the pack we had. We couldn't get out of our own half all night. Can't remember more than 2 kicks where the kicker was over halfway.

Tigers showed great hustle in defence and hunted in threes. I thought they deserved that win on the back of their line speed.

[Serenader]

What has happened with Billy Smith? Still recovering from injury I’m guessing? I was hoping to see him in a trial game.

[ism22]

Naiqama was really poor. Looked tiny out there as well.

Agree our defence was really good for 95% of the time - repeat sets penalties etc and we defended strongly.

Our go forward was non existent though. I was disappointed in our forwards. Even though we had most of our starting pack out I expected more from the pack we had. We couldn't get out of our own half all night. Can't remember more than 2 kicks where the kicker was over halfway.

Tigers showed great hustle in defence and hunted in threes. I thought they deserved that win on the back of their line speed.

Lotsa dropped balls from him ay. Coulda been the rain or the clunkiness of our attack but I'd say our backline's probably gonna be Teddy, Toops, Momirovski, Manu and Suaalii/Smith.

My mind is twisted but I feel that him playing in the first trial means it's likely that he's lower down in the pecking order.

[ism22]

Naiqama was very underrated in some very poor Tigers sides. Give him some time.

Yeah the rain and clunkiness of our attack wouldn't have helped him. I hope he's able to find some form/confidence throughout the season.