Combined with all our other problems, the selection and use of our bench is beyond baffling, providing almost no impact.
No wonder our forwards always look to be struggling to keep up with the pace of the game.
If the coach has so little faith in these players to come on the field and do a job then why select them to start with?
Makatoa - 10
Arthur - 5
Kaufusi - 40
Niukore - 24
Replies
You just would not read about it
His use if the bench has always been questionable. This tactic he is using just puts way too much pressure on the starters which then leads to flimsy defence
Must say though Niukore looks terrible. He seems unfit but also down on weight. Maybe we need to take a punt and move him back to the centres with Waka to the wing. Reserves got smashed last week so we have no one putting pressure on first grade.
One of the commentators on fox said the following last night about Haas - "just because you can play 80 minutes doesn't mean you should". Referring to the fact he has more energy and impact when playing the reduced minutes compared to when he played 80.
It's clear to anyone that our forwards often look gassed and our defence and go forward suffers as a result. There were time last night where Lane was near curled over just trying to breathe!
Mannah B
I have theory that in a perfect world of equal players, you would balance the use of 17......the reality is of that group last night Niukore was the only genuine first grader on the bench.......I think this is the problem, combined with we stilll don't know why Nathan Brown was not on the bench. So when you add it up, the use of the bench is not surprising.
PS Niukore is not playing as a first grader notwithstanding his level.