A lot of things to like from the game. Our defence, line speed (thanks Joe) and kick chase were much improved with room for further improvement but it shows we're on the right track.
We're surely not going to start so poorly against every other team and there were some clangers that we can avoid easily. The ref was atrocious but we're used to it. I think it's after the Sam Mac try - the ref looks absolutely gutted to have to award it. But as one of the smaller clubs, we'll always battle to get 50/50s or even some kind of rub of the green. From the way we've been reffed since we were contenders, it's obvious that the NRL think we're there just to make up the numbers. Some early wins can help turn that around.
In attack there's heaps of good stuff to come. I loved that scrum play for Brimmo's try - an oldie but a goodie. Foran is going to do wonders for Fifita this year and Schoupp, Jojo, Clark and Verrils are just warming up. I thought Clark was quieter than expected but he's going to be great for us. You could also see some good signs around the ruck with Verrills to Liu to Mo? for good metres and as that sharpens, it will translate to line breaks.
We're also playing a makeshift centre in Sami with a rookie outside him, so that left edge will only strengthen from now. One or two training sessions with the second rowers in place and they both shone. There's good stuff to come.
Sure the Tigers were less than but we only have to beat what is in front of us. If we start well, we should be too much for Saints. I also like it when what we have to work on during the week is made obvious from the last game. Hunt will target Sami and Lofi with his kicking game and Suli will run at them with every chance. It'll be a good test for them. Also looking forward to Sua and Fifita coming together.