Having been today I thought that Gaskels punt game was very good. Time and time again he put in huge dowtown kicks that had Hudds returning the ball from near their try line. Problem was we would then give away a silly penalty. Soliola was twice guilty of this.



Late in the game the lack of experience in the halves did tell a bit, as i noticed that Lomax game fell apart abit. Twice he put in poor kicks and once he threw a forward pass. Credit to this though could be down to Hudds, who mercilessly targeted him in defence all day. I dare say with 10 mins to go he was out on his feet.



Its all part of the learning experience and in the long run it will make them better players, as they will learn to overcome adversity.



I just hope the fans dont start to turn on them and blame them for the teams failings.

With the new TV deal in Australia it's highly unlikely top tier players (and those in the tier immediately below) will choose to join SL clubs. The remainder will be past-prime veterans (who have plenty of experience but may also be seeking an easy payday) and average/slightly above average club men.

Out of curiosity, are you basing your opinion that Simmons is the worst coach we have had in years simply on his recruitment and how we are playing, or do you know something we don't?

Pretty much agree with the bit about trying Gaskell and Wheeler together as they are the two most natural half backs. Both also have kicking games.

Whereas at present only Gaskell can kick.



When fully fit i would play Hohoia at hooker, as i think he looked very crafty in that position today. I would move Roby to loose forward where his dynamism would cause problems.



Fullback would be Lomax.



Time and time again in attack Saints had shifted the ball well and had the Hudds backline stretched, but then had to slow down to wait for Wello to link in the line on the arc. This then killed the move and allowed Shudds to get back in position.

It was painful to watch because in other respects Wello had a decent game. He has never been the quickest of fullbacks but he was quick enough to cause a team problems, now though he is positively pedestrian, and its glaring out at you.

Leadership is a difficult thing to replace... Hope Roby is ok...

Both

Time for Wilkin to stand up and be counted, he's got the ability to be captain, time to show it

Haven't people been saying that about Wilkin for what seems like 6 years now?

I don't think it's that sort of leadership that was lacking today. It was more a case of not having a cool headed ball player in the side. FWIW I thought Wilkin, along with the rest of the pack, was good today.

Talking on phone before with someone from saints. He said he'd like to see lomax to fullback, Gaskell at stand off with lance at 7.



He said that roby on crutches and strapped from calf to thigh.



He went on to say that laffranchci was outstanding today.

That would be me saying that





I think wilkin was very good last year but now he's got his 4 year deal he's back to doing nothing but runs good lines

did you go to the game hohaia along with sia and laffranchci imo were saints best players today hoaia and laffranchci looking better the more game time they are getting with the team