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Mitre 10 Cup
Otago 2012 ITM Cup Squad
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 520881" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>Just been to Otago's pre-season match versus Tasman. Based on that performance it could be a very long season for Otago <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite3" alt=":(" title="Frown :(" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":(" /></p><p> </p><p>I'm not 100% sure what the final score was, as for some reason the scoreboard was turned off at halftime (perhaps in embarrassment?), but I think the final score was something along the lines of 42-22 to Tasman.</p><p></p><p>The performance of our Japanese internationals Tanaka and Horie was one of the few bright points in our performance. Tanaka started at 9 and was subbed off at half-time, but he gave a very impressive 40 minutes. His passing game is superb, with long flat passes out in front of the players meaning the Otago backline was able to hit the line at pace. He looked dangerous when he ran too, and despite his lack of size looked very solid on defense. He will certainly be the starting halfback this season, and if he can keep up that sort of form could well be backing up Aaron Smith at the Highlanders next season! Horie only came on at hooker for the last 30 minutes, but he was everywhere. He always seemed to shrug of the first tackler, and his handling was great too - he played a big part in Otago's run-away try in the second half. Loosies Paul Grant and TJ Ioane were the other two standouts for Otago. Grant looks like he is finally starting to fulfill his potential, and made a couple of great cover tackles, while Ioane was a beast (as always) with ball in hand - I lost count of the number of tackles he broke.</p><p></p><p>Unfortunately there were far more negatives than positives for Otago. The scrum was poor (though it wasn't the first choice front row), and the lineout a bit messy. The support play in the forwards was shocking at times - often a forward would take it, get tackled, and not one forward would be there to support the tackled player.....</p><p></p><p>Backline defense looks like a major concern too - Tasman must have broken through the midfield defense at least 5 or 6 times. Parker was a major culprit on several occasion, but Dickson missed quite a few tackles too. Not only was the defense poor, but they lacked any creativity in attack - Parker stands too deep and doesn't challenge the line, while Dickson does everything in slow motion. I do wonder whether they will start Pete Breen in the 10 jersey at the start of the season, as he may give them the spark they need. Breen certainly wasn't perfect when he came on - he took on the line well, but tried a couple of passes that weren't on, however he looked threatening with ball in hand, and he certainly was solid defensively. Out wide Popoali'i looked dangerous (as usual), but both Faddes and Ensor had very mixed games - both had some good moments with ball in hand (Ensor scored a great individual try), but decision making and defense is an area of concern for these two players.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 520881, member: 24910"] Just been to Otago's pre-season match versus Tasman. Based on that performance it could be a very long season for Otago :( I'm not 100% sure what the final score was, as for some reason the scoreboard was turned off at halftime (perhaps in embarrassment?), but I think the final score was something along the lines of 42-22 to Tasman. The performance of our Japanese internationals Tanaka and Horie was one of the few bright points in our performance. Tanaka started at 9 and was subbed off at half-time, but he gave a very impressive 40 minutes. His passing game is superb, with long flat passes out in front of the players meaning the Otago backline was able to hit the line at pace. He looked dangerous when he ran too, and despite his lack of size looked very solid on defense. He will certainly be the starting halfback this season, and if he can keep up that sort of form could well be backing up Aaron Smith at the Highlanders next season! Horie only came on at hooker for the last 30 minutes, but he was everywhere. He always seemed to shrug of the first tackler, and his handling was great too - he played a big part in Otago's run-away try in the second half. Loosies Paul Grant and TJ Ioane were the other two standouts for Otago. Grant looks like he is finally starting to fulfill his potential, and made a couple of great cover tackles, while Ioane was a beast (as always) with ball in hand - I lost count of the number of tackles he broke. Unfortunately there were far more negatives than positives for Otago. The scrum was poor (though it wasn't the first choice front row), and the lineout a bit messy. The support play in the forwards was shocking at times - often a forward would take it, get tackled, and not one forward would be there to support the tackled player..... Backline defense looks like a major concern too - Tasman must have broken through the midfield defense at least 5 or 6 times. Parker was a major culprit on several occasion, but Dickson missed quite a few tackles too. Not only was the defense poor, but they lacked any creativity in attack - Parker stands too deep and doesn't challenge the line, while Dickson does everything in slow motion. I do wonder whether they will start Pete Breen in the 10 jersey at the start of the season, as he may give them the spark they need. Breen certainly wasn't perfect when he came on - he took on the line well, but tried a couple of passes that weren't on, however he looked threatening with ball in hand, and he certainly was solid defensively. Out wide Popoali'i looked dangerous (as usual), but both Faddes and Ensor had very mixed games - both had some good moments with ball in hand (Ensor scored a great individual try), but decision making and defense is an area of concern for these two players. [/QUOTE]
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