Re: Oliver gildart
Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2023 8:47 am
For me King has been the more impressive of the two new centres. It just seems like every time a try gets scored on an edge the blame gets put on the centre or winger because they are the ones that end up with the three on two overlap to contend with. The centre will pretty much always rush out of the line when the overlap is already there to try to force the passer into making an error. But when it doesn't come off the centre or winger gets the blame for the try being scored.
I've seen loads of criticism about King's defence but our right edge issues this year have largely come from poor movement in field that allows an overlap as soon as the ball is passed from the ruck. If we're pointing fingers then Pearce-Paul and Cust have been far more culpable than King. There's been some poor communication there, slow movement across the field and Cust in particular seems to have a tendency to turn inwards and plant his feet.
King's carries have been impressive and his work rate can't be questioned. He's doing the work of a forward which is what we really didn't get from Bibby (and weirdly, Isa and KPP when in that role). Sure, he's not created many tries for French but that seems to be more of a team issue. When he's got the chance to put French into the clear he has done, but it's not been as frequent this season. If we were creating the space but ignoring the opportunities I'd be more concerned about King, but we're not as fluid in attack down the right edge and that's as much to do with Cust, Isa/KPP and Field because they are the ones that need to create the space to create chances.
I've seen loads of criticism about King's defence but our right edge issues this year have largely come from poor movement in field that allows an overlap as soon as the ball is passed from the ruck. If we're pointing fingers then Pearce-Paul and Cust have been far more culpable than King. There's been some poor communication there, slow movement across the field and Cust in particular seems to have a tendency to turn inwards and plant his feet.
King's carries have been impressive and his work rate can't be questioned. He's doing the work of a forward which is what we really didn't get from Bibby (and weirdly, Isa and KPP when in that role). Sure, he's not created many tries for French but that seems to be more of a team issue. When he's got the chance to put French into the clear he has done, but it's not been as frequent this season. If we were creating the space but ignoring the opportunities I'd be more concerned about King, but we're not as fluid in attack down the right edge and that's as much to do with Cust, Isa/KPP and Field because they are the ones that need to create the space to create chances.
