Indeed. Don't kick it to Hogg.
And, just in case anybody is in ANY doubt, don't kick it to Hogg.
The concern for us is kicking to any of their back three..if Nowell if truly fit, then there is danger all over. But we will need to clear our lines/half and kicking to touch means conceding field position more often than not.
So do we try and play in a "damage limitation" style and hope we get ball to run or do we push like we normally would, as playing conservatively means we'll probably lose anyway?
Glad I don't have to make these choices!
Just so. One area of transition from defence to attack that we fail miserably, and have for years and years, is the kick chase, which couple in to having a scrum half (box kick) and full back (field kick) to be so accurately placed that a kick chase can be effective. In that regard, my argument is that a team like Saracens is or were the Kings. We are not. Indeed, one might argue that, for Dan, that is the one area he has failed to impress. Not entirely his fault, as he can kick perfectly all the time, but if the chase is not there, he is wasting his time.
So, one area of defense that is not yet working. Tackling, line speed/cohesion, jackaling, kick chase, maul defence. All areas of defense that a truly successful team needs. Without Jack, we have lost a lot of the jackaling. Kick chase is poor, and with sign of improving, and maul defense seems quite weak. A work in progress.
Given those weaknesses, trapped in our own 22 with possession, there are no good options. In a way, you will know we have partially cracked it when teams don't want to kick to us. Which is why I am puzzled at Crossdale being on the bench. Watson doesn't offer any obvious skills in counter attack (or none that I have seen). He simply runs and gets tackled, often away from backup. Very frustrating.
Always a Wasp
