Anybody watch Halifax last night? : Fri May 01, 2009 7:25 am  

With us playing them in the cup, and the chance to watch the cappers get stuffed I decided to tune in last night.

I thought they were OK, but was expecting a lot more from them with them been unbeaten all season and having a bit of hype about them.

They seem to play a very loose game throwing the ball about to try to create gaps, and they have a good big solid looking pack, who can make good meters, and can play with the ball. I was a little suprised to see Dwayne Barker playing stand off, because I would never of thought he was creative enough to play there, and from what I saw last night nothing has changed that. They do however have good creative players in Ben Black, who was excellent, and Penkewich, who has a lot of experience.

I think it will be a good game when we play them, they'll certainly come full of confidence, but I feel we should win comfortabley.

It was nice to see big Franke Watene playing. He made some good yards, and did a nice little slipped pass to create a try.

: Fri May 01, 2009 7:34 am  

Think they need to cut the amount of errors down to avoid being embarassed by you. As you say they were OK! But didn't look too special IMO

: Fri May 01, 2009 8:53 am  

Good game which would have been even better without all the penalties, most of which were valid and had to be given unfortunately. Fax look full of points and although they predictably conceded a lot, their goal-line defence actually looked better than I expected. They will probably be quicker/smarter than us around the ruck with Gleeson and Penkiewicz backed up by Black but whether their forwards can give them that essential momentum or cope defensively is doubtful IMO.

: Fri May 01, 2009 8:58 am  

They only look faster around the ruck because the game is alot slower in the Championship, we will be faster around the ruck than them

: Fri May 01, 2009 10:05 am  

Penalties against, at Championship speed must be a worry for them if we can get a roll on from quick play the balls.

Ben Blacks interception needs to be on video loop in Sione's house with a sticky label saying 'Don't Do This'

: Fri May 01, 2009 10:10 am  

tigersteve wrote:

They only look faster around the ruck because the game is alot slower in the Championship, we will be faster around the ruck than them

See your point.

BUT ... I think the no.9 role has been one of our few weaknesses this season.

Don't expect this to be a popular opinion, yet I feel Hudson was not at his best prior to injury whilst Netherton has not maintained his grear promise displayed in the first few games.

As a means to keep Chase at 6, I'd like to see either: us bring in a back up hooker on loan (McShane from Rhinos?) or develop Owen's game still further - could see him being very sharp around play of the ball area.

: Fri May 01, 2009 10:44 am  

Fax will be no walk over, but i feel Cas will win it

: Fri May 01, 2009 11:05 am  

Won't be a walk over but when Andy Kain ripped through the line with a little bit of pace it made me smile, if Kain can do that what can Rangi do ?

I don't think Fax will be able to get anywhere near us considering TM wants this cup more than any other.

: Fri May 01, 2009 11:06 am  

Fax struggled to contain Tonks (prop) for most of the time he was on the pitch and to a degree Dickenson. So if we use the big lads to get us on a roll can't see many problems.

Cas by a good 20-30 points.

: Fri May 01, 2009 11:19 am  

tigersteve wrote:

They only look faster around the ruck because the game is alot slower in the Championship, we will be faster around the ruck than them

Not with Netherton at dummy half for most of the game. He has definite strengths but seems to be carrying too much weight for a hooker resulting in lack of necessary speed/agility over the prolonged periods we are now having to use him. Thought this was particularly noticeable on Sunday and only late in the game through the likes of Richie Owen did we see the type of runs from dummy half which put us on the front foot and created the space for the winning tries.