Wests Tigers NYC Coach Todd Payten talks about the loss to South Sydney last week and some of the young guns coming through his team.
TODD'S BLOG
A two point loss to South Sydney last Friday night has halted our momentum and proved to be a costly game in terms of some serious injuries attained by three players.
I wouldnt say we were out played but we were certainly out completed. They completed a match winning 35 from 38 to our lack lustre 20 from 35. I thought also defensively we were weak for periods especially through the middle third with not near enough intent or aggression.
Too often Souths were able to find their front and play off the back of quick play the balls. That really concerns me as coach. To try and find positives we fought back and shouldve pinched the game while having only one healthy replacement for the whole of the second half.
We did show some resolve and wrestle back some momentum after being down 26-6 with 26 mins left on the clock. We had all the momentum with 7 to go on the clock and getting within two points but came up with two errors and a couple of poor decisions while tired. To go down 26-24
Best for us was Shane Lalogafau. It was the best game I have seen him play for us over the last two seasons. He was a real handful on the edge in attack and worked real hard defensively while having to play longer minutes due to our injury issues.
Andrew Kazzi and Fosio Tatola also had strong games. Both came off the bench and gave us some great energy. Kazz joined us after Christmas and has been terrific at training. He plays well above his weight.
Fosio has joined us from the successful Balmain S.G Ball side. He was one of their best all season and took out man-of-the-match in their grand final.
He has a good motor and leg speed for a front rower and put in a good performance for his debut in the NYC. Both boys work hard off the ball for guys around them.
We go into Friday nights match against the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval with 10 boys missing through injury, Luke Brooks is in the NSW Cup while David Nofoaluma is in first grade.
I thought Nofa looked at home with the big boys in his NRL debut last week and it gave me a buzz to see it. Being an inexperienced kid, Im interested to see how he handles all the back slapping after his debut and if he can refocus, he has a real opportunity to hold onto that wing spot for a long time.
TODD'S BLOG
A two point loss to South Sydney last Friday night has halted our momentum and proved to be a costly game in terms of some serious injuries attained by three players.
I wouldnt say we were out played but we were certainly out completed. They completed a match winning 35 from 38 to our lack lustre 20 from 35. I thought also defensively we were weak for periods especially through the middle third with not near enough intent or aggression.
Too often Souths were able to find their front and play off the back of quick play the balls. That really concerns me as coach. To try and find positives we fought back and shouldve pinched the game while having only one healthy replacement for the whole of the second half.
We did show some resolve and wrestle back some momentum after being down 26-6 with 26 mins left on the clock. We had all the momentum with 7 to go on the clock and getting within two points but came up with two errors and a couple of poor decisions while tired. To go down 26-24
Best for us was Shane Lalogafau. It was the best game I have seen him play for us over the last two seasons. He was a real handful on the edge in attack and worked real hard defensively while having to play longer minutes due to our injury issues.
Andrew Kazzi and Fosio Tatola also had strong games. Both came off the bench and gave us some great energy. Kazz joined us after Christmas and has been terrific at training. He plays well above his weight.
Fosio has joined us from the successful Balmain S.G Ball side. He was one of their best all season and took out man-of-the-match in their grand final.
He has a good motor and leg speed for a front rower and put in a good performance for his debut in the NYC. Both boys work hard off the ball for guys around them.
We go into Friday nights match against the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval with 10 boys missing through injury, Luke Brooks is in the NSW Cup while David Nofoaluma is in first grade.
I thought Nofa looked at home with the big boys in his NRL debut last week and it gave me a buzz to see it. Being an inexperienced kid, Im interested to see how he handles all the back slapping after his debut and if he can refocus, he has a real opportunity to hold onto that wing spot for a long time.
