@joel-helmes it's Tiger Stu... Not Tigers Tu

Sorry... That was @eddie-otto who stuffed my name up 🤣 

Apology accepted 😂

Sorry... That was @eddie-otto who stuffed my name up 🤣 

Declan was being pretty miserable. I like to look on the glass half full Side 🤣 

I actually think we are a lot fitter than previous years and much better at staying in the fight for longer in games than previous years. IMO the area we are falling down in is specialised grappling/BJJ training. Other clubs have more credentialled coaches for this than us and it impacts everything in the modern game from first contact, preventing offloads, takedown, getting player on their back, play the ball speed. In turn this impacts the time we have in defence and is part of the reason that we look more frantic in defence and slower in attack.

Agree with this. The ruck contest is the main issue we had last week - both with and without the ball. Panthers were on a different level, and the balance of the game went accordingly from there. Throw in some very questionable decision making on that right edge, and you get a one-sided score line. 

I'd be willing to bet that those games were early in the year when we were playing with the spine and structure that we spent the preseason building.

I enjoyed the pod as always so thanks guys. A couple of good points raised were:

- on 23 mins there was a discussion from Nick about Twal and Seyfarth being toilers. Its just so clear that these guys are not ever going to be at the level required. I find it staggering that both players are on long term contracts so we are seemingly stuck with them!

Unpopular opinion here I think but IMO Twal is having one of his best seasons and is a very valuable member of the squad. he is hitting the line at more speed than previously and developed a little bit of footwork that has seen him poke his nose through a few times. His  defence is very valuable in the middle. IMO there is a spot in the 17 for Twal but the problem is he should be the solitary "toiler" in the squad and we are carrying a pack of them.

- Eddie's comments upon re-watching the game really highlight our problems. We are not fit enough. Blind Freddy can see it. We let tries in on half time most weeks. The standard at training during the off-season is clearly far short of other teams. Until we find guys to lift the standard we will never climb the ladder

I actually think we are a lot fitter than previous years and much better at staying in the fight for longer in games than previous years. IMO the area we are falling down in is specialised grappling/BJJ training. Other clubs have more credentialled coaches for this than us and it impacts everything in the modern game from first contact, preventing offloads, takedown, getting player on their back, play the ball speed. In turn this impacts the time we have in defence and is part of the reason that we look more frantic in defence and slower in attack.

Good pod guys and I think you guys covered issues well.

In particular I thought that Nick & Declan covered Luai very well but I have to strongly disagree with Eddies take that Luai has only made about 2 games difference this year. Simply put, if we dont have Luai, then we dont have Turuva, possibly not Terrell May and also probable that Api doesnt resign. Take Luai, Turuva, May and Api out of this team and work out we were come.

I also thought the guys hit the major reasons for not improving during the year, but one of the major talking points the guys hit on was the lack of time/cohesion in major spine positions and chopping changing due to Galvin/injuries/Benji and that this is impacting our capacity to get time and experience to build combinations in our spine. Hard to argue with any of that. So how does Nick then justify his suggestion to move Latu back to 13 for Madden? Do we just swap the spine spots constantly until something magic happens? If so, Madden is not bringing that magic. The ONLY hope for this club is to stick to a spine of Bula - Luai - Latu - Api and let them oil in that combination and then lock in the best players around them and fix these holes.

Hi mate. If AD leaves and we don't sign a quality 13, I'd seriously consider;

6. Luai

7. Madden

13. Latu

 For me, that creates a better strength and balance than Luai, Latu and Twal

With respect Nick, I couldnt disagree more. We need to form cohesion and combinations in our spine to improve and that means sticking to it. There is no universe in which Jock Madden is the halfback that guides this club back to the 8 let alone the top 4. We know this because madden has had plenty of opportunities her and at the Broncos to show this and he doesnt have it. Is Latu that guy? He might be, or not but he has shown enough that he  might be and needs the opportunity to work these combinations. Im not willing to give up another season with Madden being a placeholder at 7.

As I posted in the other thread, a spine of Bula, Luai, Latu & Api has played exactly zero games together. Nail them all in those positions for the rest of the season and a proper whole offseason (Api should be banned from representing Fiji and I'd love to see Latu opt out to get a whole preseason).