Quote: Kevin Turvey "I suppose my only criticism from yesterday (apart from 6th tackle kicks) is that we looked (from a spectators POV) to be out-powered in the front row forwards, especially in the first half, although the yardage stats look similar for both teams. Can't fault the efforts of Philbin and Yates as 'smaller' front rowers but wonder whether Harrison, and more so, Vaughan and Musgrove didn't deliver their normal impact. Against KR on Friday, or Wigan if we play well enough to win on Friday, we'll need a significant uplift from the front row. And I'm not talking about effort, there's no criticism in that department, but rather impact and energy from our big men. We know they can do it so they collectively need to deliver their biggest performance of the season Friday night.'"
Not so sure it was exactly put muscled.
Well over the 84 mins.
I would say Saints loaded up. and went to get the unassailable lead perhaps hoping to kick us deep and hold on, and have us make mistakes trying to pull it around by going away from the process.
However us scoring in the last play of the 40 wiped out the advantage.
Vaughan was un-Vaughan-like, perhaps edgy about being over aggressive or clumsy high in the tackles, and perhaps not battle ready after his lengthy absence. A muted impression in the first half, but just about holding fort, as did Musgrove, until our other spelled props returned.
Yates was constantly hitting them with hard runs and the spelling of Philbin kept him punching, Harrison worked hard but seemed to fatigue at the back of his stints.
We can’t afford to let KR hit us with 3 tries in the first half as Saints did, it would be draining to recover that against them.
I’m hoping the extra piece of missing Vaughan, will be the difference on Friday.
Although he’s done it recently, we can’t rely on Musgrove finding another level.
