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2014 Super Rugby: Highlanders vs Rebels (Round 8)
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 633802" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>I agree Parker's defense is far from perfect, but it isn't too bad, and is certainly better than Sopoaga's at the moment. Parker is incredibly committed on defense, but as you say his lack of size can count against him. The important thing though is that when Parker has been on he has been defending in the line (unlike Sopoaga), hence Ben Smith would be the one counter-attacking from fullback if Parker started at 10. The frustrating thing about Sopoaga is that when he commits himself to defense he is actually pretty good. He is a solidly built guy - so size isn't a big issue for him - the problem is sometimes he just doesn't look interested in tackling. I think it is worse at the moment as he is forced to defend in positions he isn't familiar with (wing/fullback), and he doesn't really look like he knows what he is doing......</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Sopoaga hasn't offered that much on attack though - in fact I think he has been pretty quiet with ball in hand this year. He can be a very good attacking player, but he seems to have reigned himself in somewhat this season. Not that it is necessarily a bad thing, as his error rate is a lot lower this year too. He needs to take the ball to the line a bit more and commit defenders (something he is more than capable of).</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Hmmm...... Not the best team we could field IMO, but not the worst. Happy to see Coltman back starting - Robinson did a solid job last week, but Coltman has the potential to offer even more. The props were predictable once Hames was ruled out. It is good to see Wheeler back starting, but I have no idea where Thorn is gone! Great to see Evans back - he should have been starting the last 3 matches too.....</p><p></p><p>No surprise to see Treeby back for the injured Burleigh (though I would have liked to see Buckman tried at 12). Glad to see Baker back, but I have no idea where Osbourne is (injured?). I'm not a fan of the 6/2 split on the bench. I feel Dixon and Ioane fulfill a similar role off the bench, and we would be much better off having more backline cover. Obviously Renata gets the nod over Parker due to his versitility.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 633802, member: 24910"] I agree Parker's defense is far from perfect, but it isn't too bad, and is certainly better than Sopoaga's at the moment. Parker is incredibly committed on defense, but as you say his lack of size can count against him. The important thing though is that when Parker has been on he has been defending in the line (unlike Sopoaga), hence Ben Smith would be the one counter-attacking from fullback if Parker started at 10. The frustrating thing about Sopoaga is that when he commits himself to defense he is actually pretty good. He is a solidly built guy - so size isn't a big issue for him - the problem is sometimes he just doesn't look interested in tackling. I think it is worse at the moment as he is forced to defend in positions he isn't familiar with (wing/fullback), and he doesn't really look like he knows what he is doing...... Sopoaga hasn't offered that much on attack though - in fact I think he has been pretty quiet with ball in hand this year. He can be a very good attacking player, but he seems to have reigned himself in somewhat this season. Not that it is necessarily a bad thing, as his error rate is a lot lower this year too. He needs to take the ball to the line a bit more and commit defenders (something he is more than capable of). Hmmm...... Not the best team we could field IMO, but not the worst. Happy to see Coltman back starting - Robinson did a solid job last week, but Coltman has the potential to offer even more. The props were predictable once Hames was ruled out. It is good to see Wheeler back starting, but I have no idea where Thorn is gone! Great to see Evans back - he should have been starting the last 3 matches too..... No surprise to see Treeby back for the injured Burleigh (though I would have liked to see Buckman tried at 12). Glad to see Baker back, but I have no idea where Osbourne is (injured?). I'm not a fan of the 6/2 split on the bench. I feel Dixon and Ioane fulfill a similar role off the bench, and we would be much better off having more backline cover. Obviously Renata gets the nod over Parker due to his versitility. [/QUOTE]
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2014 Super Rugby: Highlanders vs Rebels (Round 8)
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