How did we actually play against Hudds? : Mon Apr 07, 2014 3:50 pm
The controversy at the end with Brough's woefully sliced drop goal seems to have papered over the cracks dramatically. Had the ref given that DG, we'd no doubt have spent the last 24 hours having an inquest rather than debating the nonsense we have been.Nathan Brown after the game said we'd saved our worst performance for our most important game. I agree completely with that assessment. Luke Walsh was also pretty cutting in his post game interview, saying we need to be a lot better than we were. We started the game so well, attacking with the verve and purpose we have so far this season in Super League. Swift's try was well worked, Lance showing his class, Makinson's try was sensational and a try of the season contender. But from the moment we scored that till the moment Ferres was sent off, we were absolutely awful. For 50-60 minutes we'd let Huddersfield dominate field position and they were completely controlling the game. Our completion rate around the hour mark was 58% according to the on screen stats. Woeful. Walsh's kicking game was very poor, his attacking kicks so easy for Huddersfield to accept and jog to the 20 laughing. You could blame a lack of enthusiasm in the chase for that as well. On the rare occasion we got to the last in their 40, the options were terrible, as slow and lethargic as last season.
But then the pack pulled us through those last 15, getting us field position for the equalising penalty and then for Walsh's drop goal. Very impressive defensive effort in the final minutes as they bombarded us. Walsmley, Manu and Wello all deserve great credit for the charge downs having watched them back.
We used our get out of jail free card there without doubt, but if we play anything like that against Wigan or Leeds, we'll regret it. Reasons for the performance? Just that so many were carrying knocks or returning from injury?