SMH article By Christian Nicolussi
Parramatta centre Waqa Blake is ignoring the tidal wave of criticism about him being the defensive weak link and declared: "I know what I'm capable of.''
As Eels coach Brad Arthur named Blake at right centre for Saturday night's do-or-die semi-final against South Sydney - Blake Ferguson was also listed on the wing, but is struggling with a knee injury - the out-of-sorts centre played down suggestions from some of the game's greats there was a major communication problem on his side of the field.
The Storm were not the first team to expose the Eels' right edge last Saturday night, and Peter Sterling, Mick Ennis, Mal Meninga and Brad Fittler have been just some of the smart judges who have been highly critical of Blake and his teammates Ferguson, Mitch Moses and Ryan Matterson.
Parramatta have conceded 46 per cent of their tries down the right edge and just 32 per cent down the left through Michael Jennings and the now-injured Maika Sivo.
"We haven't been defending well as an edge and as a group, but when we do we're very good,'' Blake said on Tuesday.
"We know what to fix. We just have to go out there and stick to what the coach tells us to do. I can brush it [the outside noise]. There's no lack of communication at all.''
Blake confirmed he spent most of Tuesday's field session on the right wing with Jennings and Brad Takairangi rotating at right centre, while the injured Ferguson watched from the sidelines with ice on his knee.
George Jennings, Michael's younger brother, will play left wing for the injured Maika Sivo in just his second game for the blue and golds this season.
Michael is regarded as one of the best defensive centres in the game and told the Herald he had often spoken with Blake about the need to remain patient and not shoot out of the line.
"I think he's been pretty hard done by [with the criticism],'' Jennings said. "Centres do get blamed and it's the hardest position to defend at on the field because of all the decision making.
"His work ethic is really good, he's a great defender, it's just that edge needs to work together and connect better as a group. He's been singled out because he's been trying to do things himself and it hasn't come off.
"Teams usually attack our right because they favour right-to-left passing, and it's easier to attack that side.
"The big thing I speak to [Blake] a lot about is being patient and calm. It can get frantic sometimes, and you do want to make decisions, but be calm and patient when you do - you need to try and hold as long as you can and work together.
"You're an edge, everyone needs to work together as an edge. Even the middles need to put more pressure on so the edge get more time to make decisions.''
Blake will not get it easy on Saturday night against South Sydney and their lethal left-edge combination of Campbell Graham and Alex Johnston, the competition's leading try-scorer.
Ennis said on Fox Sports after Melbourne's 36-24 triumph on Saturday night: "Waqa Blake on that right side [and] Mitchell Moses, they are out of sorts defensively - big time.
"Waqa Blake has just got to get up, take the space and hold instead of turning his shoulders in and leaving his winger exposed on the outside all the time.''
Eels legend and respected commentator Peter Sterling said on Nine: "It’s been a concern for a long time. We’ve made reference throughout the course of the year that on that right-handed defensive side there’s a lack of trust, a lack of understanding of how to defend certain situations.''
Here's your chance Waqa to show what you can do.
Replies
Please don't sport the top knot again, EVER!
Blake confirmed he spent most of Tuesday's field session on the right wing with Jennings and Brad Takairangi rotating at right centre, while the injured Ferguson watched from the sidelines with ice on his knee.
Don't know why he's telling everyone what's happening at training, FMD.
I mean Carayannis also noticed that Fergo was injured. Wouldn't take a genius to work out our lineup with that information.
Remember When Paul Vautin said " why hasn't Brad Arthur fixed this right side defence yet"
Lol, that quote will go down in Eels folklore.
I know what Waqa is capable of, too.
Regrettably, it's 2 dropped balls and 6 missed tackles per match!
It's the effing basics. His decision making is atrocious. Seen under 7's defend smarter than this bloke.
I think our best chance of winning this game is to have the veterans Jennings and Takairangi defending at centre. Blake hasn't been up to it and that's not going to change in one week.
Takas has his own defensive issues at times but that's less to do with defensive shifts then simply marking centres with superior pace. He can read the play and that's most of the battle.
Play Blake on one wing Fergo on the other if fit otherwise *sigh* George Jennings .
Something tells me Michael this may yet happen. I hope so, it is the best option I think to nullify the threat.
And drop Smith , add Kaufusi
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