I agree on Smith, I don't think he was unintelligent, incompetent or clueless. I honestly think it's more bad luck than anything that it didn't work out. I think more than anything he was too stubborn and set in his own philosophies of how the game should be played. Arthur has already shown his experience, he will have to adapt to the slow speed of the ruck, not the other way round that.
On the game, what a great performance, but we need to back it up. For me O'Connor needs to start at 13, and as others have said move Cam Smith to prop (and do shorter minutes). If Bentley could play like that every week, we'd be a totally different team. It's not often you see a Leeds backrow dominate. Martin has that bit of class, footwork and skills, Bentley frustrates and is everywhere, and McDonnell was physical upfront and aggressive. Love the way Arthur said in his post match presser Bentley still needs to prove himself to Arthur if he wants to stay out on the pitch.
Joined: Dec 22 2001 Posts: 17146 Location: Olicana - Home of 'Vark Slayer
Bullseye wrote:harigeorgeson wants a word
Strange you should resurrect that one......
“At last, a real, Tory budget,” Daily Mail 24/9/22 "It may be that the honourable gentleman doesn't like mixing with his own side … but we on this side have a more convivial, fraternal spirit." Jacob Rees-Mogg 21/10/21
A member of the Guardian-reading, tofu-eating wokerati.
Joined: May 28 2002 Posts: 7395 Location: Isca Dumnoniorum
By the way, anyone still disappointed that we lost Walters?
Maybe he would have kicked on given more opportunities, and he would certainly add a bit of size to our pack, but from what I've seen of him at Wigan he's regressed to his form of the Agar era. So much for being our best player of 2023, according to Jon Wilkin...
I note some Wigan fans want him to play prop in the coming game against Saints
Joined: Nov 19 2002 Posts: 13615 Location: West Yorkshire
Exeter Rhino wrote:By the way, anyone still disappointed that we lost Walters?
Maybe he would have kicked on given more opportunities, and he would certainly add a bit of size to our pack, but from what I've seen of him at Wigan he's regressed to his form of the Agar era. So much for being our best player of 2023, according to Jon Wilkin...
I note some Wigan fans want him to play prop in the coming game against Saints
He's not a second rower IMO, played all his best games for us as Prop - it was never the big loss that was made out to be, however I would have him back but not to play SR
Joined: May 28 2002 Posts: 7395 Location: Isca Dumnoniorum
Yes, I agree, it seemed that in the run to the 2022 GF he would make a decent prop, but I had the impression that he prefers SR and that may have been one of the reasons why he left? Aside from Smith not picking him at the start of 2023?
Joined: Dec 22 2001 Posts: 17146 Location: Olicana - Home of 'Vark Slayer
FGB wrote:Attitude issues apparently.
He does seem to play with arrogant smirk, which seems to worsen when he makes a mistake.
“At last, a real, Tory budget,” Daily Mail 24/9/22 "It may be that the honourable gentleman doesn't like mixing with his own side … but we on this side have a more convivial, fraternal spirit." Jacob Rees-Mogg 21/10/21
A member of the Guardian-reading, tofu-eating wokerati.
I finally got around to watching the game. The defense was superb throughout, every player gave it everything. Although, there were still too many errors, especially in the first half. We can't afford to make as many mistakes against Warrington.
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