Originally Posted by
Webbo Again
I don't think they were referring to their forwards carrying the ball in when they talk about taking it to our forwards. It's more their defence getting right in our faces, being aggressive, and consistently quick off the blocks in the defensive line.
This tactic very much worked a treat, both in the CCF and last Thursday.
I think they need a ref who isn't going to be too harsh on policing off-sides (Moor got them a few times, but could have given 20/30 penalties to us for them being persistently offside; Hicks at Wembley was in their pocket and didn't bother). But we were also dumb by playing too shallow. Their defenders are hitting our ball carrier at a greater pace & power than the ball carrier has been able to generate from 2 or 3 steps. If we're faced with those sort of tactics by the opposition, then we need to have a 'plan B' to counter it.
I'll also add that their backs seemed to make a lot of carries, too. It takes a chunk of workrate off their forwards, who can concentrate their stamina on defending with a quick defensive line speed.