Defence has been a big focus for Tamworth this week as they look to bounce back from their derby thumping against Scone at Tamworth Rugby Park on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Languishing at the bottom of the table, the Magpies boast the second worst defensive record in the competition. In five games they’ve leaked 277 points, including 84 against Pirates in what was one of their worst defensive performances in several seasons.
Coach Craig Summers said they haven’t dwelled too much on last week, but have directed a lot attention at training to their defence.
“We went back to a bit more basic stuff,” Summers said.
They did a fair bit of tackling practice on each other, with the mantra tackling around the legs.
One of their problems against Pirates was going high, and they were just running through them.
Summers said they also did a lot of work around their tackling position.
“We worked on them getting in the right position,” he said.
He also spoke about not giving up. Last week he felt they let the floodgates open in the last 10 minutes.
The pack is pretty well unchanged from the one that faced Pirates, but injuries have forced a few changes in the backline.
New English recruit George Roberston gets his first start. He’s been named at outside centre with Luke Klasen pushing out to the wing and Dylan Cross moving into inside centre for the injured Kieran McHugh.
Robertson played second grade last week, and Summers would have preferred to keep him there for another week, but didn’t have that luxury, with James Hall also out with injury.
Lachie McIntosh switches to the wing in his absence with Cooper Thompson starting at fullback.
Summers admits the constant changes have affected the Magpies attack, which has looked a bit clunky as they struggle to find their rhythm, and welcomes the return of Adam Penman at five-eighth.
He missed the Pirates game, and his communication and talk will be an asset.
“Adam back in will make a fair bit of difference. He brings a bit more direction,” Summers said.
He acknowledged the Brumbies will be a big challenge.
They sit on three wins and fared much better against Pirates than the Magpies did.
“It’ll be another tough day at the office,” Summers said.
Particularly for the pack.
“Usually they are reasonably strong at the breakdown,” he said.
“(But) We’re positive we can get a win on the board.”
In other games Moree will be chasing their fourth win when they host Inverell, while Quirindi are at home to Barraba.
Both are yet to post a win yet, but the Rams have picked up a couple of bonus points.
The Lions have so far proved a tough proposition at home. Their last home outing they trailed competition leaders Pirates by only nine points at half-time.
In the same round, the Rams came the closest they have to a win, going down to Inverell by just four points.
