Re: 4 Nations : Sat Oct 25, 2014 8:40 am  

Rupert Pupkin wrote:

We don't know he was instructed to play that way!

We don't, but the fact that at one point we had two Burgesses and Hill on, and a Burgess Hill Graham combo suggests the coach went for three props as part of his approach, so a ball player at 13 seems odd

Re: 4 Nations : Sat Oct 25, 2014 9:47 am  

I prayed McNamara would use Westy as an extra pivot. You know, what he's been doing fantastically well for us all year.

But no, he seemed to employ him as an extra front-man, which is not his game at all.

Disappointed, but not at Joe. He gave it his all.

Re: 4 Nations : Sat Oct 25, 2014 10:50 am  

can't see either of those 2 troubling us.

Re: 4 Nations : Sat Oct 25, 2014 11:19 am  

Chris28 wrote:

We don't, but the fact that at one point we had two Burgesses and Hill on, and a Burgess Hill Graham combo suggests the coach went for three props as part of his approach, so a ball player at 13 seems odd

So why start Westerman in the first place?

Re: 4 Nations : Sat Oct 25, 2014 12:00 pm  

Rupert Pupkin wrote:

So why start Westerman in the first place?

why pick joel tomkins over whitehead?

Re: 4 Nations : Sat Oct 25, 2014 12:23 pm  

New zealand thrashed the aussies 30-12 and they were lucky it wasnt more.The aussies looked bang average with all the enforced changes,we actually have a chance against them this year.

Re: 4 Nations : Sat Oct 25, 2014 12:26 pm  

Rupert Pupkin wrote:

So why start Westerman in the first place?

Because he's the best 13 in the squad after sick note. We were sucked into a forward battle (which is what Samoa told us they would do) and we fell for it. It then required us to have in effect 3 possibly 5 props on the field. Not Westy's style (as proven under Gentle) and he was therefore in effective in the end.

We need to learn to dictate play not the opposition. Keep discipline and learn to hold the ball. Oh and while we are at it get a full back who can catch the ball.

Re: 4 Nations : Sat Oct 25, 2014 12:34 pm  

Jake the Peg wrote:

why pick joel tomkins over whitehead?

Cause McNamara is clueless!

Re: 4 Nations : Sat Oct 25, 2014 12:37 pm  

@airlie_bird wrote:

Because he's the best 13 in the squad after sick note. We were sucked into a forward battle (which is what Samoa told us they would do) and we fell for it. It then required us to have in effect 3 possibly 5 props on the field. Not Westy's style (as proven under Gentle) and he was therefore in effective in the end.

We need to learn to dictate play not the opposition. Keep discipline and learn to hold the ball. Oh and while we are at it get a full back who can catch the ball.

But if his intentions are to play a huge pack then going with Westerman to start at 13 is ridiculous, like you point out, it's not his game. I'm a fan of Westerman, think he is a good player but he has to play as a ball handling LF to be effective.

As for the Aussies, one thing you can pretty much be certain on, they won't play that badly again next week.

Re: 4 Nations : Sat Oct 25, 2014 8:21 pm  

deslawson wrote:

New zealand thrashed the aussies 30-12 and they were lucky it wasnt more.The aussies looked bang average with all the enforced changes,we actually have a chance against them this year.

they definately miss thurstan and cherry evans seems to have gone backwards this season. they will still be a formidable challenge but i was encouraged at how easily NZ made ground through their forwards. proctor had a great game