Tigers Vs Saints 5.30pm Saturday

[FKAS]

That was gash

I can't remember Saints being so error strewn and unfocused. Didn't look like they were fired up for it.

[Banquo]

Have to say, despite the gushing praise, Finn Smith wasn't very good....its always tough when your pack is being beaten up, but nevertheless...

[FKAS]

Have to say, despite the gushing praise, Finn Smith wasn't very good....its always tough when your pack is being beaten up, but nevertheless...

He didn't do anything wrong and had a few nice touches but when you want some inspiration to kick start your team he was lacking a bit. It didn't matter but that missed conversion at the end was poor.

So was Furbank though, considering he's the captain he was pretty much anonymous for long periods of the game. First time I've seen that.

[Banquo]

Have to say, despite the gushing praise, Finn Smith wasn't very good....its always tough when your pack is being beaten up, but nevertheless...

He didn't do anything wrong and had a few nice touches but when you want some inspiration to kick start your team he was lacking a bit. It didn't matter but that missed conversion at the end was poor.

So was Furbank though, considering he's the captain he was pretty much anonymous for long periods of the game. First time I've seen that.

He did a fair few things wrong, forcing passes that weren't on and a few kicks- I guess he also had a decent but nervey young un inside; personally, I think he stayed playing too flat from slow ball. You've even less chance making an impression from 15 to be fair, but I hear the Steward bandwagon revving up.

[FKAS]

Have to say, despite the gushing praise, Finn Smith wasn't very good....its always tough when your pack is being beaten up, but nevertheless...

He didn't do anything wrong and had a few nice touches but when you want some inspiration to kick start your team he was lacking a bit. It didn't matter but that missed conversion at the end was poor.

So was Furbank though, considering he's the captain he was pretty much anonymous for long periods of the game. First time I've seen that.

He did a fair few things wrong, forcing passes that weren't on and a few kicks- I guess he also had a decent but nervey young un inside; personally, I think he stayed playing too flat from slow ball. You've even less chance making an impression from 15 to be fair, but I hear the Steward bandwagon revving up.

There were a lot of opportunities for Furbank to launch attacks from deep. The wind was blowing the box kicks off course and Pollard loosed a couple of long ones down the middle. JvP did a man marking job in phased play and Furbank became less of a feature in structured attack which is always an issue for that Saints attack.

Fin Smith did play close to the line, given Tigers blitz was shutting off the outside pretty well I don't think he had a lot of options. Litchfield made no impact ball in hand which will have been a disappointment as he's a robust carrier when he gets going. Fin's kicks didn't quite come off but I thought what he was attempting made sense.

Steward played well, he's had a good start to the season. Needs to keep it up and show a bit more playmaking skills if he wants that England 15 shirt back though. Positive signs from him, he obviously wants to scrap for the shirt which should push him and Furbank on, competition for positions is only a positive.

[Banquo]

He didn't do anything wrong and had a few nice touches but when you want some inspiration to kick start your team he was lacking a bit. It didn't matter but that missed conversion at the end was poor.

So was Furbank though, considering he's the captain he was pretty much anonymous for long periods of the game. First time I've seen that.

He did a fair few things wrong, forcing passes that weren't on and a few kicks- I guess he also had a decent but nervey young un inside; personally, I think he stayed playing too flat from slow ball. You've even less chance making an impression from 15 to be fair, but I hear the Steward bandwagon revving up.

There were a lot of opportunities for Furbank to launch attacks from deep. The wind was blowing the box kicks off course and Pollard loosed a couple of long ones down the middle. JvP did a man marking job in phased play and Furbank became less of a feature in structured attack which is always an issue for that Saints attack.

Fin Smith did play close to the line, given Tigers blitz was shutting off the outside pretty well I don't think he had a lot of options. Litchfield made no impact ball in hand which will have been a disappointment as he's a robust carrier when he gets going. Fin's kicks didn't quite come off but I thought what he was attempting made sense.

Steward played well, he's had a good start to the season. Needs to keep it up and show a bit more playmaking skills if he wants that England 15 shirt back though. Positive signs from him, he obviously wants to scrap for the shirt which should push him and Furbank on, competition for positions is only a positive.

Not sure about 'a lot of opportunities' but hey. He also went off pretty early..but not as impactful as has become the norm

Smith failed to adapt imo, but there was a lot not going for him.

Saints couldnt cope with the physicality irrespective.

[FKAS]

True he did go off early. Maybe carrying/picked up a knock.

[Banquo]

True he did go off early. Maybe carrying/picked up a knock.

Head smack from pollard

[FKAS]

True he did go off early. Maybe carrying/picked up a knock.

Head smack from pollard

Sometimes it is the innocuous ones. Didn't look like there was much force in that one. Perhaps a lesson of don't run straight into the big South African straight in front of you.

[Banquo]

True he did go off early. Maybe carrying/picked up a knock.

Head smack from pollard

Sometimes it is the innocuous ones. Didn't look like there was much force in that one. Perhaps a lesson of don't run straight into the big South African straight in front of you.

went down straight away and off 4 mins later. The lesson is change your body position when making tackles if you dont want a yellow

[FKAS]

Head smack from pollard

Sometimes it is the innocuous ones. Didn't look like there was much force in that one. Perhaps a lesson of don't run straight into the big South African straight in front of you.

went down straight away and off 4 mins later. The lesson is change your body position when making tackles if you dont want a yellow

Pollard's problem was he wasn't ready to make a tackle. He's slowing down and waiting for Furbank to go round him. He's not expecting for Furbank to accelerate into him. His lesson should be "always be ready to make a tackle".

[Banquo]

Sometimes it is the innocuous ones. Didn't look like there was much force in that one. Perhaps a lesson of don't run straight into the big South African straight in front of you.

went down straight away and off 4 mins later. The lesson is change your body position when making tackles if you dont want a yellow

Pollard's problem was he wasn't ready to make a tackle. He's slowing down and waiting for Furbank to go round him. He's not expecting for Furbank to accelerate into him. His lesson should be "always be ready to make a tackle".

Indeed. It’s a pretty old tale now, but back in the day kiwi kids were allegedly coached to run around crouched when not carrying the ball- triple threat position or summat. These were the days before double and chest tackles became the norm.. but worth a thought

[FKAS]

went down straight away and off 4 mins later. The lesson is change your body position when making tackles if you dont want a yellow

Pollard's problem was he wasn't ready to make a tackle. He's slowing down and waiting for Furbank to go round him. He's not expecting for Furbank to accelerate into him. His lesson should be "always be ready to make a tackle".

Indeed. It’s a pretty old tale now, but back in the day kiwi kids were allegedly coached to run around crouched when not carrying the ball- triple threat position or summat. These were the days before double and chest tackles became the norm.. but worth a thought

Something that they'll be bringing back no doubt. Stay on the balls of your feet and load the body ready to make a tackle. All makes sense.

[Banquo]

Pollard's problem was he wasn't ready to make a tackle. He's slowing down and waiting for Furbank to go round him. He's not expecting for Furbank to accelerate into him. His lesson should be "always be ready to make a tackle".

Indeed. It’s a pretty old tale now, but back in the day kiwi kids were allegedly coached to run around crouched when not carrying the ball- triple threat position or summat. These were the days before double and chest tackles became the norm.. but worth a thought

Something that they'll be bringing back no doubt. Stay on the balls of your feet and load the body ready to make a tackle. All makes sense.

They may still do it. I did it for a while with our forwards using the telfer method. This is a while ago- but it keeps you in position to hit a breakdown, support the ball carrier or make a tackle etc.