ant1 wrote:You would also expect seasoned professionals to understand that a body moving towards a target will have the momentum to stop the attacker. But no, JJB, would rather wait on the try line until the attacking player meets the static defensive player.
A second rate media future lies in waiting for a player past his average best.
I do not think this is a fair assessment of what happened. We had two men in the final tackle before the try (Ablett & Garbutt?) then Singleton comes in late (3rd tackler) to put the man down but not on his back. JJB having made the previous tackle where he was 2nd marker gets back into line to mark the expected next wave of runners lined up towards the posts.
As Ablett releases the attacker Hardaker moves from square behind the PTB towards the blind side thereby opening up the gap between him and JJB. Then Hardaker directs Ablett also to the blind side and then directs Singleton to fill the gap as JJB is signalling the danger. Singleton was last into the tackle and now should be second marker but he now has his back to the acting half back as he follows Hardaker's direction. The acting halfback is then able to play the ball quickly and run to takes advantage of the retreating defender and the gap so Garbutt and Singleton are too late to stop him.
IMO Hardaker seeing the danger should have moved to fill the gap himself as he could see Singleton had his back to the acting half back try scorer. Had JJB moved to fill the gap he would just have left another gap with 4 attackers lined up
Look at the VT highlights.
Ironic that JJB is usually accused of coming out of the line too fast. He made 58 tackles 16 carries, 113 metres and 2 offloads the last one giving Handley a chance to win the game. So a bit odd that you pick him the one for blame.