MOTM v Italy
-
Barrett B, Barrett J, Laumape.
Coles the pick of the forwards for me.
-
Hard to go past Fifita in a game made for him. We had 60% of the ball, ran over 800 metres, and held them to less than 150 - only having to attempt 80 tackles. We weren't that accurate either, at 79% but he was, with 12 tackles (leading the team) and no misses,. He also ran for 50 odd metres, with 2 clean breaks and 3 defenders beaten. There were also a couple of turnovers in there as well, of course, and I don't think we learned anything we didn't already know about him. Why he was brought along to play Italy is a bit of a mystery to me, but nevertheless, for a job well done, I gave him a vote.
I also voted for JB and Dmac, both of whom did well gaining plenty of metres. With four tries, 126 metres, and 6 clean breaks (including 6 defenders beaten), I thought it was hard to go past JB.
For my third vote, I thought it was very hard - Coles (36 metres, one clean break, two defenders beaten, two offloads) played very well; Tuipolotu got his drop out of the way early, then went on to make 6 tackles with only one miss, and 49 metres, 5 defenders beaten, 1 clean break, 1 try assist, 10 passes and 11 runs, playing well in the ruck side pod as the ball handling big man; and B. Barrett doing a good job of making more accurate kicks against a weaker team, getting a well-taken try, two assists, 1 clean break, two defenders beaten, and 79 metres.
Laumape was also good, and provided a nice straight ball running option in midfield (10 passes, 9 runs, 63 metres, 2 clean breaks, 4 defenders beaten, plus 1 try, plus 1 try assist), although missed one tackle (of 3, for 67% success rate). I think ALB is unlucky to not have any votes, as he was quietly very good (3 turnovers aside) with four tackles and no misses, and 82 metres with 35 touches (14 passes, 21 runs), 3 clean breaks, and 6 defenders beaten.
Anyway, I gave my final vote to Dmac, despite him missing a tackle (apparently he only had to make one, which he missed, indicating the type of game it was). I gave him a vote because I thought he did really well in the second playmaker role they see for him - injecting himself outside Barrett or as the first receiver and making things happen. Of course, it's only Italy - and they were poor - but he did well to score 3, get one assist, and run for 126 metres off 33 touches (17 pass, 16 run).
-
Tuipulotu, Fifita and Jordie for me. Read, Coles and Laumape also had strong games. It's probably been said elsewhere but Italy were a big disappointment
-
Pick 3 out of Jordie, Fifita, Patty T, and Laumape.
Good training run
-
-
-
-
@mn5 said in MOTM v Italy:
@bones said in MOTM v Italy:
Coles, BMac and Laumape. Those Canes love a flat track eh.
I dunno, I wish he never gave up keeping but he said it was tough on his knees.
Whoosh. Hint - the B is short for Big.
-
@bones said in MOTM v Italy:
@mn5 said in MOTM v Italy:
@bones said in MOTM v Italy:
Coles, BMac and Laumape. Those Canes love a flat track eh.
I dunno, I wish he never gave up keeping but he said it was tough on his knees.
Whoosh. Hint - the B is short for Big.
Whatevs. You Lebs lack the subtlety for such irony.
-
-
One thing that was hugely noticeable at the game is DMacs workrate. I know everyone realises he is like some ADHD kid on raspberry fizzy drink but fuck that kid does not stop moving. You try to keep half an eye on him and suddenly realise he has appeared from nowhere to continue a movement. You can really see why the 2 playmakers thing is desired by the coaches. It gives either a licence to create without a move being in danger of breaking down because the other guy slots in for the next phase.
Also, watch that try he scored off the PT pass early on. If that wasn't a planned move from a ruck then it was brilliant awareness and instinct from all. The end on view is best. PT runs what looks for all purposes like a dummy run in front of DMac's line. The defender decides not to buy the dummy line until too late as PT receives the pass from Read very late. Meanwhile DMac changes direction twice with Cully like steps at speed to go around the other side of the defender and take PTs pass.
It all looked very simple (which the best moves are) but it was a beautiful piece of precision. -
swapped out Fafita for Coles. Love that cuddly teddy bear. So stoked he is back
