On only 1 of the 3 play the balls that Saints scored from did we number correctly.
On the Amor try they had 8 men versus our 5
On the Walsh try they had 6 to our 6.
On the LMS try they had 7 to our 5.

We either numbered up wrong on the long side or didn't get a player out of the tackle quick enough to make another number on the long side. That's why there were huge gaps. Whilst the players obviously talk to each other they can't rely on just hearing a call as to whether to push out or not. They have to use their judgement.
Maybe he made a wrong decision on the Walsh try, but the other 2? The problem lay further infield than Ablett.

Okay lets just agree to disagree, clearly we were taught different defensive systems as kids, because I still maintain that you deal with the immediate threat first and force them to execute the more difficult play, we did that later in the match and their centre spilled it when they had an overlap

Whose job is it to get the numbers right?

Full back.

A few on here have already indicated their preference for the full back in question to be afforded the privilege of being made club skipper!

Club skipper and boxing champion of Leeds Met 2015, that would be a great achievement for the lad

Glad I didn't say that

Our defence certainly had some problems in that game but don't ignore the fact that Saints were kept scoreless in the 2nd half. Not all the credit goes to Leeds for that but you can only play what is put in front of you

Depends why we were short. Looked to me on at least 1 of the times that the tacklers didn't get up and back into the line. So that occasion isn't the full backs fault.
An element of credit has to go to Saints for attacking the right part of the field, getting a quick play the ball, and picking the right pass to cause and exploit those defensive issues.

I doubt we were taught anything different as kids. I'd pretty much agree and coach kids to deal with the threat in front of you.

But you can't stick to that mantra at higher levels. You have to rely on your inside defence following you, even more so when you find you're outnumbered, otherwise you consistently provide an overlap. When you've numbered up right then yes the greater threat is the lead runner. When you haven't the greater threat is outside runner.


Fair enough mate

Maybe but someone has to take responsibility for getting the numbers wrong don't they?

In any defensive system, Ablett has to follow the outside runner and presume his inside defender will pick up the lead runner. On each occasion Saints had the numbers, and the inside man couldn't get there - if Ablet jams in, the ball goes wide and weMre even shorter numbers.
Credit to Walsh, he took the right option each time - the problems came from losing the floor and subsequently not a strong enough inside push. Just poor defensive play all round - a very worrying trend for the season so far!

this whole season will be a mixed bag due to the poor standard throughout the competition as a whole

this seasons mediocrity shown thus far by most of the sides in the competition bar wolves,widnes and salford, will pale into insignificance once the business end of the season arrives and probably at the same time that sides like widnes and salford are arranging their players' end of season trips abroad, whilst the top 4 play off's are getting under way with the self same sides

yet again it will be the side that peaks at the right time that wins the grand final irrespective of how 5hite they were during the regular weekly rounds

wolves' excellent early season form makes them look like the side to beat but we've heard all that before

don't write the rhinos off guys as i believe that we will make the grand final yet again

We're gona win it again.