TSR
Mark Ella (57)
From my point of view I wouldn’t say I’m confident we’ll be better - but I’m not sure I get the level of pessimism either. My tendency is to be optimistic, sometimes naively so, but I do think some of the criticism’s lack context.
To me the biggest two concerns are the front row and the concerns around squad morale under Thorn.
The second one is certainly a concern but, to be honest, I take most public comment on that with a grain of salt because, quite simply, I am in no position to know either way. I think that Mick Heenan and Phil Blake are good additions to the coaching group. Time will tell.
The front row is certainly a big concern. Agree that Zander needs to step up and we are really hoping for upside from Fa’agase & Nonngorr. I am really hoping for a late announcement of a Super quality squad addition (or 2) but I doubt that will happen at this late stage. Our scrum has been a big part of our success and it has potential to go from a definite strength to a weakness which would be telling.
However, I am prepared to at least wait and see on the basis of the following -
- a lot has been made of our lack of success against the Kiwi teams but it should be acknowledged our injury toll was terrible during this period. There were positions where we were running out our 5th choice player. would we have had more wins if we hadn’t had that injury toll? Who knows? It’s speculation either way but we were equal top of the Australian conference and we had just turned in our best performance beating a very good Brumbies team before the wheels fell off
- O’Connor hasn’t fired a shot at test level but he’s still been the best Australian 10 at Super level for the last 3 years. If he stays fit our chances greatly improve.
- LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) & Mafi missed big chunks of last year so they aren’t the loss they appear on paper. On the flip side guys like Flook, Vest, Nonngorr, Faessler, Asiata, Thomas, Henry, Creighton, Grealy, Uru, Nasser, Jeans all got much needed Super Rugby experience. Some of them will kick on - some won’t but none of those guys should be on a downwards trajectory.
To me one key aspect will be Heenan fixing our lineout. As much as our scrum has been a weapon the last three years, our lineout has been a chronic Achilles heel and has cost us numerous games. I don’t think it will offset to a drop off in our scrum, but it will at least provide some counter.
One other thing is while there is no ready replacement for Tupou’s explosive involvements Tupou’s down side is his work rate is relatively low, his tackle accuracy not the best and he does give away a few penalties. Fa’agase and Nonngorr can’t replace Tupou like for like but if they, along with Nasser/Asiata/Faessler can be high work rate/high accuracy players then we can still expect our pack to provide a platform for a very strong backrow and backline to work off.
The jury is definitely out. There is big pressure on our whole tight 5 to step up a level. I’m happy enough for the Tahs and Brumbies to take too billing in terms of Australian teams and I think that is fair enough. But I don’t think we’re in as bad a position as some are suggesting.
