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Re: RD 1 | Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC : Sun Feb 02, 2020 7:19 pm

First 15 matched them quite well but then basic errors and poor defensive decisions cost us just like it has last 2 years, Hull will be a top 5 team this season if they can keep the core of their squad fit and have consistency but some our tackle attempts today were shocking especially in the middle of the park you don't mind when teams through good shape and open you up out wide with good lines and dummy runners to gain numbers but when 2 or 3 players that our forwards give soft arm tackles and allow offloads that lead to tries it's really poor. It's only first game of season so theres no need to panic but I fear it could be a another long old season if we do not recruit a big no nonsense metere making prop out pack is very lightweight especially today when we had Seumanufagai missing ( I hope he's back for Hudds next week). We wouldn't have won that game if we was given another 80 mins to play because Hulls pack and kicking game was far too good for us, but Thaler is inconsistent and as poor as every other ref in super league how he allows certain players to slow the ruck down and have hands in but the pings others straight away for it is ridiculous, also I hope the sport gets rid of the ref on field call for try or no try as it impacts the decision of video ref far too much imo, the Hull hooker knocked on for me for their second try and if Thaler sent Dwyer to Gale up as a try I feel at least one of then would have been given. Also hicks was very quick to disallow Handley try in the corner where if anything I think his knee and goes out same time as he grounds the ball but hey ho super league officials are invisible and can not be criticised cause they never make mistakes. Prior looked good today tackled well and took some good carries, Gale tried to organise but his pack was out muscled and beaten all game plus it's his first super league game for nearly 2 years so he won't be blowing too hot for us yet, dwyer is a impact hooker I've always said he can't organise and runs too many plays due to his erratic playing style I'd start Myler at hooker til Leeming's fit and use Dwyer for 15- 20 min cameos when opposition defences get tired every other player was average-poor due to hull being on top so much, Agar needs to find his best and most balanced fast so we don't fall too far behind the rest so early in the season.Hope we turn up better for Hudds next week and looks like Hurrell will be missing due to the new HIA assessment rules.