It seems that we always bemoan the lack of attacking structure no matter who the coach is. The same complaints were made when McClelland, McDermott, Agar, and Rohan were all here. It makes you wonder if it's actually primarily a coaching issue. 

I feel sorry for BA - he has come from a competition/culture of professionalism.  Where players focus on core attributes of fitness and basic skills.  


Sadly the players in the SL don't have these attributes.  Week after week we see players miss tackles drop balls show a distinct inability to run practiced plays and run out of gas early.


It is no surprise that England have improved with the addition of more NRL players.  Until we have more competition for places and a stronger player pool this apathy will continue.  Players know they will get picked every week regardless of how fit they are or how well they play


The standards of skill and fitness in SL are shocking and when compared to the NRL - where BA has previously worked - it is a pale shadow of the latter.  It is no shock how few SL raised players are wanted and are successful in the NRL

Lisone has been a massive let down, was hoping for the next Kylie , got the next Feather instead.


I know I and others keep saying it but we really need a big meter munching wrecking ball prop.
That would allow one of Jenkins or Palasia to move to back row with Gannon / Mcdonnell/ Bentley etc.


We could have the world's best HBs abd we would still not make a difference until we can get those hard yards abd quick PTBs going

It's a bit odd that the rest of the squad looks fitter compared to last year yet Lasagne looks less fit. He must've spent all preseason hiding in one of the laundry bags.

Nearly spat my porridge out lol.

Well I actually quite enjoyed that!
Despite the defeat, I was pretty pleased with the performance.




A ragged 15 minutes cost us the game. We dropped off and
they punished us.


But the first half was really impressive.


The intensity and aggression is superb. We haven’t seen
it at that level for years.


It’s so much better to watch than the garbage of the last
2 years.


Saints were rattled and knew they were in game at half
time.


We just couldn’t convert it into points. If we had been
able to I think the second half would have played out differently.




Our pack matched theirs, and theirs is very good.
Long time since we've been able to say that. Our pack has been getting dominated for years.


Really impressed with Jenkins and Palaasia.


Jenkins was probably MoM for me. Thought he ran really
hard again. Both kept their big guys quiet in the opening 20 mins.


Holroyd has to come in for Lisone, who’s becoming a waste
of space. Two stupid passes is all he really did.


And Gannon is looking really good given how long he's been out.




We got exposed in the 3/4’s because that’s where our weak
area is now.


Miller looked lively and didn’t make any stupid mistakes.


Connor has to stay in the halves.


Brain fart pass into touch, but his kicking is so much
better than Frawleys.


With Ackers out I think Frawley may do a stint at 9.




Again, lack of cutting edge has cost us, but I do think
we have a better platform to work off and hopefully points will come.

Well well well, a dose of reality in a sea of despondency !!!! It has never been about the coaches, its always the players, recruitment and development now thats different.

Agree on all points.

I try to look at  games over the 80 mins and make a judgement overall.  Compartmentalising games may offer  hope for future fixtures but there’s always the likelihood your team will do exactly the same again.  You could take the opposite stance and conclude we were nilled  in France and couldn’t score a try for over 60 mins at Saints, worrying, and that we clocked of at home against Cas and conceded 18 points in 8 mins. The best teams sense blood and can use momentum to effectively finish a contest. I don’t think that’s something we are capable of against a decent team.