Quote: Smithers99 "Ten point loss 20-30 from leading 14-10 early second half. We were there with first timers (our knowledge remains closer to first timers than experts in many respects still) so harder to follow what was going on. Defensively we still look a bit suspect especially under the high ball. Macani provided the x factor again. Raiwalui was missing from the 17 and may have made the difference.. Leyland and Horsman are good 21/22 year olds, but the half back position needs some experienced craft to complement them.
Personally I thought there was only one winner and the scoreline was pretty accurate. Not criticising Broncos but feel we need a bit more quality. But the foundations are there, so some additional recruiting would make a big difference.'"
Fair points and it was pretty alarming to watch our drop off in the halves, particularly in the second half. I like Horsman and I think he's a good prospect, but we need a more dominant 7 if we are going to bring the best out of Leyland. We weren't able to hold down a consistent choice at 7 last season and it really told.
I know it's early doors, but we don't appear to have variation in our kicking game, outside of shovel the ball to Leyland on the last and see if he can put a bomb up. It was something we did constantly last season and it doesn't appear to have changed. Having some size in the halves wouldn't go amiss or us either.
I don't mean to dig one person out, but if Raiwalui is fit for Whitehaven we need to be going with him.