Post by kier on Oct 28, 2007 20:52:47 GMT -5
This is a repeat of my post on TotalRL......I'd be interested to see what you guys think.
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Personally I was pleased with the GB game – not so much for the result per se (although a win was good) but because of details in the performance that have been missing for over a decade.
1) Structure in Attack
First of all the attack BEGINS with the play-the-ball. Speed from scoots where appropriate and the direction switching from one side to the other. Dummy runners giving the half back options.
In the past the ball has been flung from the ruck and THEN thought given to what to do with the ball – allowing defences to apply pressure. Yesterday the ruck (and various acting halves all prepared to scoot) was effectively used as an attacking platform – and it allowed GB to get a roll on.
Secondly – when the ball was spun wide for the first time the GB side was actually using a ‘push’ (or two lines of attack).
The only real disappointment was that so many chances/breaks didn’t get capitalised on! But, it was great to see them being created at last!
2) Structure in Defence
Clear evidence of communication and organistion – some errors (as always happens) but good to see players collectively looking and reacting to what the opposition was doing rather than rushing in to ‘smash’ their opposite number simply to create gaps that can be exploited.
I’ve been waiting for approx 10 years to see this emerge in a GB team – basically after SL I’ve always been of the opinion that GB would have to wait for a sporting generation (10-15 years) for success.
Prior to SL a sizable contingent of British players have experienced playing in Aus – just check out the classic Balmain v Canberra GF and see how many UK qualified players were involved. The relative success of GBRL prior to 1996 is because of this – the domestic GB comp was light years behind the NSWRL/Winfield Cup at the time.
SL meant that the GB players wouldn’t travel – they didn’t need the cash and the seasons didn’t allow it. Success of GBRL would be a product of the domestic comp only………..and for so long it wasn’t up to it.
Paying players with part-time mentalities and part-time expectations just creates wealthy players with poor skills…….which for me sums up GBRL in the late 1990s early 2000s.
Although SL is still behind the NRL overall it is clear that systems of coaching, player development (physical and mental) and EXPECTATIONS has dramatically increased. The youngsters who a few years ago were beating NZ and Aus at schoolboy/youth level are now the backbone of the team – and I feel we can start to see the results.
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Personally I was pleased with the GB game – not so much for the result per se (although a win was good) but because of details in the performance that have been missing for over a decade.
1) Structure in Attack
First of all the attack BEGINS with the play-the-ball. Speed from scoots where appropriate and the direction switching from one side to the other. Dummy runners giving the half back options.
In the past the ball has been flung from the ruck and THEN thought given to what to do with the ball – allowing defences to apply pressure. Yesterday the ruck (and various acting halves all prepared to scoot) was effectively used as an attacking platform – and it allowed GB to get a roll on.
Secondly – when the ball was spun wide for the first time the GB side was actually using a ‘push’ (or two lines of attack).
The only real disappointment was that so many chances/breaks didn’t get capitalised on! But, it was great to see them being created at last!
2) Structure in Defence
Clear evidence of communication and organistion – some errors (as always happens) but good to see players collectively looking and reacting to what the opposition was doing rather than rushing in to ‘smash’ their opposite number simply to create gaps that can be exploited.
I’ve been waiting for approx 10 years to see this emerge in a GB team – basically after SL I’ve always been of the opinion that GB would have to wait for a sporting generation (10-15 years) for success.
Prior to SL a sizable contingent of British players have experienced playing in Aus – just check out the classic Balmain v Canberra GF and see how many UK qualified players were involved. The relative success of GBRL prior to 1996 is because of this – the domestic GB comp was light years behind the NSWRL/Winfield Cup at the time.
SL meant that the GB players wouldn’t travel – they didn’t need the cash and the seasons didn’t allow it. Success of GBRL would be a product of the domestic comp only………..and for so long it wasn’t up to it.
Paying players with part-time mentalities and part-time expectations just creates wealthy players with poor skills…….which for me sums up GBRL in the late 1990s early 2000s.
Although SL is still behind the NRL overall it is clear that systems of coaching, player development (physical and mental) and EXPECTATIONS has dramatically increased. The youngsters who a few years ago were beating NZ and Aus at schoolboy/youth level are now the backbone of the team – and I feel we can start to see the results.
