the fines will happen if the goal kicker exceeds his allowed time (which is a joke)

Well my post was made at half time after a very dubious first half, big improvement second half, thought we really got stuck in some aggressive line speed that has been missing for a few years. We conceded a couple or 3 very soft tries unfortunately all down to Newman, who is not a winger and is no were near ready for first team yet. Needs at least 12 months at Fev.
Cameron smith looked very good when he came on, Cuthbo proved the doubters wrong, Hurrel is the real deal. Sutcliff another year another position, still looks poor, I've defended Ferres, but not any more, should have been shipped out, stealing a wage.

I'll take that scoreline in a competitive friendly. The main points seem to be a) Hurrell's performance, b) fitness - the fact that we weren't blown away and seem to have finished strongly, c) that apparently no-one broke down injured and d) solid returns from Ward and Watkins.

As for the apparent lack of creativity etc. We don't necessarily want to be pulling out all the stops and new plays straight away in this kind of game. Realistically it was always going to take time for a new coach's ideas to be implemented and the new players to gel. At this stage I'm happy with signs of improvement mixed in with 'more work needed' in some areas, as opposed to another false dawn and a scoreline that papers over the cracks...

I wonder sometimes if I watch the same game as others. How does TM look like a lump? He had 2 sessions, held the ball securely, made good metres for a 2R, and a lovely offload in the 2nd half. I thought KH was immense and Cameron is looking better and better. Let’s not forget, we were playing against a good mature team who know how to tackle and attack really well. To our credit we kept battling where last year they would have run away with it. Well done both teams for a good game. And yes the stadium is looking great!!!

Cas were by far the better side in the first half. I don’t think anyone can argue with that.

We were much improved towards the back end of the first half and into the second half. Once Ward, cuthbertson and Oledzki were introduced.

The biggest positive for me was Koni, who in my opinion was the best player on the field from either side. I personally thought Merrin for a first run out showed some quality running the ball in. Tui showed glimpses and will take time to get his flow going but the signs are promising. Oledzki looks fitter and stronger he certainly outshone Peteru today and could certainly be pushing for a starting spot at some point this season.

Overall a lot of work still to do and I still feel we are still a meter crunching forward shot of being a real force.

By the looks of things were still lacking a decent back rower (if merrin is to play LF) and a big front rower who is going to throw his weight around a bit. Pack looked small compared to cas's starting pack with watts and sene-lefao. A few injuries to cuthbertson and singo and we could struggle up front. Nice to see that we look more dangerous in attack which will get even better when we sharpen up as the season goes on. Agree that sutcliffe shouldnt be playing back row and think smith should defo get a go, great ball handling back row and could go well with either watkins or hurrell outside him.

I think we'd get better value from Peteru as a wide running back rower- just doesn't strike me as a prop at all.

As for yesterday's game, made a change to see some smiles on faces and players talking to each other- particularly Tui dragging people to where he wanted them. Nice couple of touches from him on short sides etc- think he will sharpen up as the year goes on and Myler will be asked to be the "steady head".

Whilst our front row might be a bit lightweight I think that's going to have less of an impact during the season than it is in friendlies - only having 8 interchanges is going to play havoc with teams who are reliant on big units - it's going to make the end of games a very different proposition. I think over the course of the season lighter, more mobile props who are capable of longer minutes are going to provide real value. I'm hopeful that that's the thinking any way.

i honestly do not think we miss Singleton, think he has flattered to deceive for too long now, think we have better players in the squad and better prospects coming through. Needs a big season or should be looking to offload him.

If the argument is making metres, then as bad as it sounds, Mullalley should be before Singleton. If that is not the case, then Singleton is in for another reason, but like I you, I just can't see what. His constant running the ball in straight to the ruck, easy to tackle, and two or three yards made, is the old McDermott tactic and it doesn't work.

I think that singleton gives us a bit of nastiness that we don't have any where else. Our pack is too nice. i think he does a lot of work defensively too, seems a leader of the pack.