Board index ‹ Super League ‹ Leeds Rhinos - southstander.com ‹ Very, very worrying numbers

The Eagle wrote:

Its not Kirke specifically, but we are getting caned as we look jaded, in part because we are not rotating our ample squad enough. We are losing out in defence. Something Kirke offers a positive on.

On the non-personell side of things, I think there is a lot in it. Defensive structures won't be helped by having to hide your hooker on the wing etc. Also, in my experience defence starts on your own 5th tackle, with a set line ready to defend, and a decent kick and chase. Mess that up and you're on the back foot from tackle 1. This game is about momentum and unfortunately we don't seem to build it very well. Over the years we have put more of an emphasis on something brilliant happening than other teams, and it has been successful as its been backed by tough solid defence. However, we have fewer and fewer players capable of something brilliant, and our defence does not seem as strong.

Our main difference-makers and game-breakers were always Lauititi, Senior and Webb, all when they were of an earlier vintage than they are now. Burrow does it occasionally and Watkins could do it if he both got on the pitch and got given the ball, but we're very lacking compared to where we were.

Agree with everything else you said.

it was just like watching tennis last night, but without the assault on the line judge. The hordings did need a beating

The defence has been dire for some time. People wet themselves about how good Wigan's attack was, and yet their first try (IIRC) was a first man pass from dummy half near the line, to a big guy who the Leeds defenders simply fell away from. Almost all the remaining tries were scored against a defence which at best didn't even move forward as a line or at worst didn't even form a line.

Compare and contrast to the defence for the WCC and you'll see defensive discipline and players putting their bodeis on the line to make and take big collisions.

To sum up its a lot to do with attitude, not a lot to do with which particular 17 we've picked, and probably not helped by tinkering with things like where halfbacks stand in the line.

Tony Soprano wrote:

200.....nerd points for posting on here whilst on holiday in southern Italy.

Had to check last night result!!!

When we do make it to the end of a set and actually put the kick in it gives us the time to get players into positions and get set, the fact that we are coughing up position early in the tackle count in dangerous areas is not giving us that time and we just concede territory like no ones business.

Seem to be trying to score from every set, fine if we were in any semblance of form but horrid when we are so low on confidence.

Jamie B wrote:

Seem to be trying to score from every set, fine if we were in any semblance of form but horrid when we are so low on confidence.

I would seriously beg to differ to that comment. The fact that we seriously struggle to make any yardage when in our own half goes completely against trying to score from every set. Infact, I would say our boring one man rugby game which is what we are doing more and more of this season, is our main problem for creating any pressure at all.

What baffles me is that we are struggling to make yards so the most obvious route for me would be to attempt some 40/20s or some variation on kicks.

When we had a kick put through during the wakey game and the ball bounced and rolled on towards the posts splitting the full back and winger the halftime buzzer went off briefly, the guy next to me asked "what was that?" I said that it was probably to signify that Leeds had actually managed to get a good kick away.

Jamie B wrote:

What baffles me is that we are struggling to make yards so the most obvious route for me would be to attempt some 40/20s or some variation on kicks.

When we had a kick put through during the wakey game and the ball bounced and rolled on towards the posts splitting the full back and winger the halftime buzzer went off briefly, the guy next to me asked "what was that?" I said that it was probably to signify that Leeds had actually managed to get a good kick away.

Leeds when carting ball back from their end, ususally we wait until tackle 3 til we see a forward slamming it up. Then play 4 we will put it casually through the hands then kick. Too easy to read.

When the props are getting hold of it it often goes through 2 paris of hands (from hooker to first receiver then prop) until they get in central. A half decent line speed from opponents mean they are going to struggle to make Jack ground.

Our half-arsed nature with ball in hand is coupled in defence. Lazy line speed and void of any regular massive hits.

it's all a bit boring.com

thebloodbath wrote:

When the props are getting hold of it it often goes through 2 paris of hands (from hooker to first receiver then prop) until they get in central. A half decent line speed from opponents mean they are going to struggle to make Jack ground.

This.

Gets on my tits massively. Especially from a tap penalty. Get someone running on at pace and make a few meters. School-boy stuff.

1 - the number of goal line drop outs forced in the last 3 games (Needs confirming but i think its right)

Sam Buca II wrote:

1 - the number of goal line drop outs forced in the last 3 games (Needs confirming but i think its right)

So do I but I think that's correct. The one coming at Warrington, IIRC.

Bearing in mind the above - Leeds by comparison have conceded 8 over the same games.