Agree with this, i think its been a gash year so far. We have seen a few good uns on TV over the last couple of weeks, but before these close encounters its been dross. And ofcourse saints havent been red hot slick micks all year

I don't know where McClennan get's the intensity thing from either. I think the standards have genuinely got worse. No doubt the RFL will change the rules again next year when the Aussies and Kiwis whoop us at the end of the year though, so don't worry.

Exactly, the RFL will do an assessment on the future of the game, the diagnosis will be "hey we are playing Rugby like the Aussies did 5 years ago".
And the Aussies are now playing fast open Rugby, lets change the game in mid season..............then we will be ready for em.

And they'll still have half backs that can break down set defences and we still won't.

The RFL had the right idea by slowing the PTB area down. Unfortunately they went too far and have made it too slow this season. They need to find a balance with it.

That'll happen once the players adapt to it.

It doesn't help that we were one of the main exponents of the dummy half running game.

The referee's have got to adapt too.

Have you watched any NRL this season (not trying to be patronising btw)? It's fast, but it's also well controlled at the PTB which makes it difficult to break defences down.

tbh I think we are lucky that the play the ball has slowed down because when teams get a fast play the ball they kill us.

I honstly think this current team would struggle if our game was as fast as it was 2yrs ago.

I think we seem to lack pace and fitness this year.

No, bit I know that's been said.

I just worry that if we speed it back up to where it was we'll never create the players with the ability to beat the Aussies.

I understand that and maybe we've seen a few teething problems with the ruling this year that will hopefully be resolved next year, but I think the game has gone backwards this year and the slow PTB speed is the main reason IMO.



Don't agree with that to be honest. I think we're as fit if not fitter than any team in the comp.

We're used to a quicker game as fans and don't have the players that can deal with the change so far.

Once they adapt, and tactics change, then I'm pretty sure it'll change.

not saying we are not fit but we don't seem to be able to pick the pace up when needed but we are defo a slow team.

When team get quick play the balls is when we struggle and end up giving pens away.

Maybe our lack of pace is reason why we not great to watch anymore.

Maybe it's just me that think we are looking tired and very jaded.

I think we have to be careful that the game is going the wrong way and games become to defensive. I'm already seeing games where teams after 5 drives kick the ball dead and defend off the 20 metre line. This means the skill levels are dropping as teams just drive it in with the forwards and if they don't gain enough ground then all the half backs do is boot it down field.

A quicker play the ball gives the half backs an extra couple of seconds to look at options, perhaps the solution is for the offense to line up in a deeper position instead of the flat attack adopted by all the teams.

Think the CC game at Headingley you reached top form tbh.

I'd say Wigan at home, Hudds away, Hull at home and Quins away were are only good performances this year.

Your squad is too small, you started the season with 18 senior players (that's including Eastmond) and yes your youngsters have come in and done a good job, Ashurst and Wheeler have been major sucsesses, but if you got alot of injuries then your team would look very depleted. This has happened and you're starting to lose against teams like Wakey and Salford. But it's better to have your rough patch now then play off time.