General thoughts
A clumsy game all around but we had enough patches there where we showed enough flow with the ball. Overall, our defence was very good where we were a little disconnected. The intent was right and other than that we were particularly safe today.
Aidan Sezer injury
He passed it so it was more a choice at half-time. He had a bump there, more of a contusion and real sore spot than symptoms, so I just made that choice and I was very keen to give Ash Handley an opportunity to play fullback. He also rolled his ankle a bit when he got that kick pressure. It was one of those days where I thought we were well handled to manage that with Liam Tindall on the bench to make the reshuffle.
Sam Lisone starting, Tom Holroyd on the bench
It was effective today, we were a little clumsy with the ball early including Sam, who had a moment there. There were three to four more defensive-orientated. But he brought some collision, impact and some real skill as well.
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Tom came on, and it's a difficult thing, he's started eight games and done a real solid job, and some days better than solid. But I thought it was a chance to give Sam a go there and it was an opportunity for Tom to play more minutes. He's played more minutes off the bench and more often than not that happens because if blokes are going well I'm not taking them off. Tom did well, he handled that well and had some real impact.
(It was) a little bit of a topsy-turvy week as it wasn't a demotion to the bench, most coaches will tell you'll do what's most effective for performance ensured that wasn't the message, it was a chance to attack a more tired defensive line. Certainly warranted, he would be in the top bunch of middle-unit English forwards in the competition I'd imagine. I hope he gets a game in a couple of weeks too.
Are they a great team yet?
We're still not great, I'm not sure if that gets a headline again, but we've got plenty in us. We're probably a better defensive team than we are an attacking team at this moment in time.
Nene Macdonald
He's OK, just a general bit of tightness. He's been through a very hefty workload last weekend, that was a big game for him workrate-wise. There was just some general body tightness.
Harry Newman
Harry, short turnaround again. Maybe one too many shady offloads as well. He needs to rein things in a fraction. He tried really hard.
I just told him then, I took him off because the result of the game was over and having him available next week, given it was a short turnaround. But he did throw a few shady offloads, but that wasn't the reason.
James Bentley
He had a groin niggle, tightness and general soreness, all the way up until yesterday. He's got through a bit of physio work and some controlled running. But we were fit, had plenty of fit forwards and I was pretty adamant I wanted to carry an outside back on the bench given the short turnaround. At a real pinch he could have played but we didn't want to risk it. He'll be back in the mix next week.
Not picking Sam Walters
I'm not sure who is talking or where that originates from outside of our walls. I speak to Sam all the time and Sam is playing well. He's in a difficult situation. He's a good player, a Super League player, but sometimes when your squad is healthy in that position and people are playing at a decent level it's hard to get in. He's had a couple of games and done a good job. When the opportunity comes for him I'll be excited about that.
Is Morgan Gannon available next week?
I'm not too sure yet, we'll see. He's done a really good block of training in these last seven weeks. He's bigger, stronger, growing into his footy brain. He's a very clever player but giving him a chance to grow his body is number one. We'll see how he pulls up and hopefully he's available for selection next week.
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