Darwin
AKA Dingo_Darwin
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- May 30, 2007
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A few thoughts on the game:
- The Sharks maul was impressive.
- I thought Herbst looked pretty handy.
- Mtembu really impressed me for the Sharks. He broke tackles with ball in hand and was rock solid in defense. The Sharks certainly have plenty of quality options in the loose-forwards!
- McLeod wasn't as bad as I remembered.
- Lambie was ok, but didn't really threaten the line at all with ball in hand. The only time I recall him running he set up Mtembu's try by cutting inside Cruden. I think he needs to play a lot flatter and challenge the line a bit more, as otherwise the Sharks backs are playing a long way behind the advantage line.
- Francois Steyn was a handful to bring down at times, but is incredibly predictable with ball in hand.
- Ndungane was poor - he must have made 3-4 basic errors this match.
- Viljoen struggled with his kicking in general play. I thought he had a big boot on him, but he often struggled to get more than 20-30 metres with his clearing kicks.
- The Chiefs need to get Afeaki back as soon as possible. Tamiefuna is solid, but doesn't have near the work-rate of Afeaki.
- Schwalger made a big impact - it helps when your hooker is prepared to do the tight work!
- Brodie Retallick is still a machine.
- Crosswell and Latimer were both very quiet. Messam made couple of good runs, but should never play at 8. Ever. His decision making at the back of the scrum (when he was shifted there for the final 20 mins) was shocking.
- Cruden took the ball to the line well. He did miss a couple of key tackles though
- Nanai-Williams is certainly effective with ball in hand at centre, but he is a liability on defense (though he did make a great try-saving tackle)
- Masaga and Tikoirotimu were solid, as was Anscombe at fullback (though his defensive positioning - and commitment in defense - remains suspect).
- The Sharks maul was impressive.
- I thought Herbst looked pretty handy.
- Mtembu really impressed me for the Sharks. He broke tackles with ball in hand and was rock solid in defense. The Sharks certainly have plenty of quality options in the loose-forwards!
- McLeod wasn't as bad as I remembered.
- Lambie was ok, but didn't really threaten the line at all with ball in hand. The only time I recall him running he set up Mtembu's try by cutting inside Cruden. I think he needs to play a lot flatter and challenge the line a bit more, as otherwise the Sharks backs are playing a long way behind the advantage line.
- Francois Steyn was a handful to bring down at times, but is incredibly predictable with ball in hand.
- Ndungane was poor - he must have made 3-4 basic errors this match.
- Viljoen struggled with his kicking in general play. I thought he had a big boot on him, but he often struggled to get more than 20-30 metres with his clearing kicks.
- The Chiefs need to get Afeaki back as soon as possible. Tamiefuna is solid, but doesn't have near the work-rate of Afeaki.
- Schwalger made a big impact - it helps when your hooker is prepared to do the tight work!
- Brodie Retallick is still a machine.
- Crosswell and Latimer were both very quiet. Messam made couple of good runs, but should never play at 8. Ever. His decision making at the back of the scrum (when he was shifted there for the final 20 mins) was shocking.
- Cruden took the ball to the line well. He did miss a couple of key tackles though
- Nanai-Williams is certainly effective with ball in hand at centre, but he is a liability on defense (though he did make a great try-saving tackle)
- Masaga and Tikoirotimu were solid, as was Anscombe at fullback (though his defensive positioning - and commitment in defense - remains suspect).
