18th February 2015
Return to Redfern was a good hitout for the team against the Second Tier national champions the QLD Northern Pride. Our young brigrade were mixed with a few exprianced players. But it was our young U20 players who performed a spirited fightback to clinch the draw. But all eyes have now refocused on the World Club Challenge as fans from all over the globe start their travels to the north or England.
Great to see Glen Stewart finally get out on the paddock for his first game in Souths colours. Immediately you say his skills on the right side attack. He will form a leathal combination with John Sutton where their short kicking game will subplement the games of Keary and Reynolds.
With all of the pressure over the last week off the field. It was good to see John finally play some footy on the field. His 70m chase down of a Pride player was great to watch. And of course he slotted easily back in at 5/8 to give a few young kids a rest. Looking forward to a big year.
Eden Syme wasn't on the field in the RTR long after being added very late to the bench. But his impact was felt almost immediately. He sccored the try that kickstarted Souths comeback with a barnstorming run. Will be a player to watch in 2015.
During the All Stars game two rules were trialled. The first being scrums being fed midfield rather than 20m from the sideline. I am not a fan of this change just as I am not a fan of moving the scrum from 10m to 20m in to open the blind side. What has happened is that there are no longer long sweeping backline moves from the scrum as the open side is shrunk. The second rule was the extension of the 40-20 rule is be a general 40m touch finder gets you the scrum feed. Again while good in concept it will lead the game into further stopages while the kicking distance is checked as the onfield judges cannot tell easily when a 40m kick is being attempted.
Signing off for another week - the midweek Cyber View from the Hill