insider knowledge wrote:
Just got back from the game and I'll try to be impartial:
Plus points for us - no injuries, everyone got a run out and Dobson carrying on where he left off. I'Anson looked good start of second half. Minus points - we were pretty much dominated by a bigger pack and will need back up (Clinton) before the season starts. I thought this was the reason for us giving away so many penalties, we were struggling to slow Hull down. Strength in depth not that strong. In saying that, Hull had their near full strength team out apart from a couple of players although I thought we took advantage of that in the early stages of the second half. I thought Hull had us on the rack in the first half but didn't really interchange many players and didn't have a lot of cohesion, they then looked tired against our fresher players early in the second half and we stepped up the pace and caught them cold. We also then tired late in the game when Hull's six started to tell again. I though Cookie was pretty quiet for us and we looked sharper with I'Anson at 6. Our play was quicker and slicker with him and I think Cookie needs to be used at 13 and not in the halves. Both teams will take positives, we will be there or there abouts this season, from Hull's point of view, keep Long fit and they will be pushing top 6. They looked pretty strong considering they have a few new faces and it was there first outing although we always looked dangerous in there 20 and there goal line defence wasn't that impressive. Would have been interesting to see us with not so many interchanges and how we would have fared with players tiring quicker. Our outside backs again look good, we need to keep Webster fit, Ratu was impressive and all we are lacking is a 6. The pack is my main concern, a couple of injuries and we will struggle, especially against the big aggressive packs like Wire, Hudds. and now dare I say it Hull. I was surprised they didn't give away more pens. that Luaki is always near to the edge of legality, but Fitzgibbon looked a good signing, with a good workrate. O'Meley put in a few "hoolywood" hits but didn't do much with ball in hand. But early days for both teams, still a loy of match fitness to be gained and gelling of new players.
Good assessment. rovers were missing vella and (likely) clinton so you'll have much more going forward when the season starts. Both clubs will struggle if they lose a couple of key players.
I though I'anson was playing at centre and he had webster at SO? Morgan mentioned it on RH after the game. Doesn't sound like cooke will get much game time from morgan's comments.
O'meley did nothing with ball in hand? Did you miss his sublime runaround with lauaki?
