Can't believe RM would get the chop or even be sanctioned that harshly. Have the performances been that bad (isolated incidences of poor defending aside)? Not IMO. Is there widespread player discontent? Not that I've heard. Has the player selection been poor? Again, not IMO - they have had to figure some things out on the hoof because they lacked funds for pre-season games when they could have been figured out (eg Morrison appears to be a fizzer, where has he gone? And Burgess is too unfit to start IMO even though he did in the weekend again with Colidcott on the bench - I don't get that). Have they missed their target (top 4 finish) for the season already? Well, in all likelihood, yes they have - in the past three seasons since the 14-game league was introduced teams have needed at least 18 pts (maximum was 23 pts) to finish 4th. So they still have a mathematical chance of top 4 but it would need at least six wins (say against Waikato twice and Wellington twice plus Manawatu and Hawke's Bay) and then probably still some wins or draws in the Auckland, Waitakere and Canterbury reverse fixtures. It's a very tall order - if they lose or even draw against Wellington this weekend it's impossible really. Perhaps this is the issue the board has. So do they now play for pride, aim for 5th or 6th and put the strongest team out each week? Or opt for a bit more development of some of the younger lads who aren't seeing much game time (like Cunningham and Ridden) with a longer-term view? I say...sign Beckham in the transfer window.
Can't believe RM would get the chop or even be sanctioned that harshly. Have the performances been that bad (isolated incidences of poor defending incidences aside)? Not IMO. Is there widespread player discontent? Not that I've heard. Has the player selection been poor? Again, not IMO - they have had to figure some things out on the hoof because they lacked funds for pre-season games when they could have been figured out (eg Morrison appears to be a fizzer, where has he gone? And Burgess is too unfit to start IMO even though he did in the weekend again with Colidcott on the bench - I don't get that). Have they missed their target (top 4 finish) for the season already? Well, in all likelihood, yes they have - in the past three seasons since the 14-game league was introduced teams have needed at least 18 pts (maximum was 23 pts) to finish 4th. So they still have a mathematical chance of top 4 but it would need at least six wins (say against Waikato twice and Wellington twice plus Manawatu and Hawke's Bay) and then probably still some wins or draws in the Auckland, Waitakere and Canterbury reverse fixtures. It's a very tall order - if they lose or even draw against Wellington this weekend it's impossible really. Perhaps this is the issue the board has. So do they now play for pride, aim for 5th or 6th and put the strongest team out each week? Or opt for a bit more development of some of the younger lads who aren't seeing much game time (like Cunningham and Ridden) with a longer-term view? I say...sign Beckham in the transfer window.