Tonga v GB Lions spoiler

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jobo
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Re: Tonga v GB Lions spoiler

Post by jobo »

old hooker wrote: Sun Oct 27, 2019 6:33 am
Barney841 wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2019 4:33 pm Also Zak is better at full back than Coote
Sam Tomkins is better than the pair of them as he showed in the 9s.
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wall_of_voodoo
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Re: Tonga v GB Lions spoiler

Post by wall_of_voodoo »

I didn't watch the game "live" but on recording and avoided the score

Now it is easy to jump on what other say or agree with their points. My opinion for what it's worth.

1. Coote was dreadful at full back. Really didn't impose himself an it was only when Jonny Lomax entered the fray we looked like a side with players knowing what their roles were
2. Hall and McGillvary carried the ball very strongly and Hall especially coped well with the Tongan kicking game. However both players made some crucial handling errors at key points in the second half. McGillvary was no where in defence for the spectacular try from Tonga
3. Gildart needs to stop running side-ways as he was easily getting smashed by the physicality from the Tongans. Hardaker also looked "lost" in the centres. Shocking to think there is not one specialist centre left in the squad!
4. Widdop was dreadful in the first half and improved in the second. However his kicking was sh7te throughout
5. Hastings looked good when he actually took the defence on (which was not enough) Clearly played to instructions and it hampered his style of play
6. Thompson's injury was a big factor but it is interesting to note that the first real tackle he received all season and he's hurt
7. Hill was is usual self, Not outstanding but apart from the ball steal off him solid and workmanlike
8. Hodgson like Whitehead. Wouldn't get into a GB if I were selecting it. Only picked because of the NRL-obsession. Just like the surprise that Bateman existed outside the NRL, so do the likes of Daryl Clark and Liam Watts and they should have been in the side ahead of these two.
9. Bateman struggled in the first half to impose himself but started to run the Tongans defence ragged late on
10. Graham. Jesus this lad is well past his best. Lacked mobility and made little impact in either of his spells

From the bench Lomax really looked lively and wanted to get involved, Burgess is what I consider a "donkey" in that he takes it in but does very little and when he looks to off-load usually just drops it. Walmsley looked good initially and despise some crunching tackles on him never gave up and Jones never made the impact he had for Salford.

Huge room for improvement but not picking Ratchford, one recognized centre and going half cocked with a squad loaded with NRL players irrespective of how well they have played was asking for trouble
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fozzieskem
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Re: Tonga v GB Lions spoiler

Post by fozzieskem »

Coote is fine enough for saints but international standard? I’m far from convinced.

I don’t understand the call for Hardaker to be at centre his best form has come from FB,it did last season and other times he’s caught the eye yesterday he looked lost,as mentioned though while we all accept the game as a whole isn’t awash with quality half backs you’d have thought they could have sorted at least one pairing in the centres position?

The wingers have done well in the past,didn’t do to much yesterday but I’m amused to think what those Tongan lads would have done to Regan Grace,they’d have smashed him of that I’m sure.

Lomax is class we all know that and the side looked a little better when he came on,but it was the sheer size of the tongans that struck me,men against boys size wize
the pieman
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Re: Tonga v GB Lions spoiler

Post by the pieman »

i think the performance probably summed up the team selection and some of the general performances of the players over the last 12 months.

2 wingers massively out of form, although i thought McGillvary played well 1st half, but only seen 2nd half highlights. Hall IMO was one of best wingers in the world up until his injury and seems to have gotten bigger and slower.
1 centre who isnt a centre, so quite understandably didnt set the world on fire.
Widdop IMO is overrated. It is one of those things i dont get as i dont watch Ozzie RL on TV. he has only played well once for England / GB and that was at full back, but he gets a gig every week in the NRL so he cant be that bad, and i must be missing something?

we seemed to lack creativity, but that often is the case when your pack is being dominated. Thompson appeared to be anonymous in the 1st 10 minutes til he took a big hit and you could see straight away he was hurt. If the lad wants to be known as the best prop in the world these are the games he needs to front up in, not when he is running through SL defences for fun.
Hill hasnt played well most of the season so no surprise that he carries poor form into the game.
Bateman and Whitehead played well from what i saw
Graham is not a loose forward so stick to him playing prop forward where is he one of the best in the world week in week out.

so generally with players in poor form and / or playing out of position its no surprise we got beat.

what i would say though is that there are 1 or 2 Tongans i would be looking at to add to the Wigan squad if they were available. Fast, big and excellent ball handling from 1-17
Barney841
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Re: Tonga v GB Lions spoiler

Post by Barney841 »

We had one winger who didn’t have a great season and one that hasn’t really played.
Zak has been the best full back in SL year so he should of played there.
Graham for me is past it and definitely not a loose forward, probably got picked there as he’s got good hands.
Widdop I don’t think is fully fit, got rushed back from injury with St George trying to get to the finals.
widdenoldboy
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Re: Tonga v GB Lions spoiler

Post by widdenoldboy »

All credit to Tonga for an excellent performance. GB - off the mark, some poor selections and even poorer performances.

Suprised no discussion about Kendall who was very poor - I did rate him until the Grand Final and he made some odd calls, especially Tonga not clearing the PTB area,
Barney841
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Re: Tonga v GB Lions spoiler

Post by Barney841 »

I’m sorry but if Bennett thinks handley is international standard, we are doomed
moto748
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Re: Tonga v GB Lions spoiler

Post by moto748 »

Barney841 wrote: Thu Nov 07, 2019 4:53 pm I’m sorry but if Bennett thinks handley is international standard, we are doomed
There aren't too many other options. Who would you suggest?
Caboosegg
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Re: Tonga v GB Lions spoiler

Post by Caboosegg »

moto748 wrote: Fri Nov 08, 2019 8:07 pm
Barney841 wrote: Thu Nov 07, 2019 4:53 pm I’m sorry but if Bennett thinks handley is international standard, we are doomed
There aren't too many other options. Who would you suggest?
Charnley..... big winger, still quick but won't be out muscled.

Or as its Bennett... find an Aussie player
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moto748
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Re: Tonga v GB Lions spoiler

Post by moto748 »

Caboosegg wrote: Fri Nov 08, 2019 11:59 pm

Charnley..... big winger, still quick but won't be out muscled.

I wouldn't disagree with that, but it only points up our lack of options. Not that I think that lets Bennett off the hook at all.
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