[quote="Tarquin Fuego":2un5oqfx] They had at least one General in Sezer directing play. What a difference to last season where we looked like headless chucks. .[/quote:2un5oqfx] I’ve said it loads but even last season it was absolutely night and day difference even with just Ben Reynolds in the side who while not a world beater had the confidence and experience to take charge a little bit. No disrespect to him but he’s spent the majority of his career in the championship as his level but made big difference in the few games he played. Sezer with his NRL pedigree and experience is exactly what we need in a halfback for the short term. In his interviews he also seems genuinely honoured that the players picked him as captain. He gets the history of the club and how big a responsibility it is. Could be a wise move, let him be the leader on the field he’s that type of player, it then takes a little bit of responsibility off Asiata and allows him to play his natural game.

[quote="Large Paws":f9kzmup1]Great result, and as has been said looks to be a bit more team spirit. Anyone else think Cust's second try should have been a penalty try? Looked like head contact to me.[/quote:f9kzmup1] I called it at the time. Ridiculous it wasn't when they gave catalogs a penalty for rapana fall8ng over makinson

[quote="Chris71":yewd0xlx]I’d say 30secs max for the captains challenge as if it isn’t clear & obvious then refs call stands. Also pretty much the same with try’s, should take no longer than a minute, again if it isn’t clear and obvious then refs call stands. As last night was just painful and detracts from the game.[/quote:yewd0xlx] One of the problems last night, I thought, was that Thaler and the replay operator seemed to be on a different wavelength every time they went to the screen. Thaler would be asking for one angle and the opposite would appear. Every decision seemed to go through this tortuous process, and when they did finally arrive at the best angle Thaler then proceeded to view it around half a dozen times! Every video call was taking 2-3 minutes at a time. I was amazed at what time it was when the game ended, well after 10pm, more two hours after kick-off. It will feel even longer still when sat inside a cold stadium! The process needs speeding up or half the crowd will fall asleep through boredom!

A great win last night all well done to all 17 players. As others have already mentioned, the early signs are that our new experienced players are also bringing the added benefit of supporting the younger players. Last season our back division was primarily made up of our four youngsters Moy, Martin, Barron and Charles. They had very little consistency or support through out the season. Morgan Smith played most games, but then the rest of the back line was made up with whoever was fit that day from Carlos, Sutty, Trueman, Scott. Hopefully this season, the addition of Sezer, Cust, Hardaker and Rapana will add much more experience. Hopefully if all can play 22+ games, much more consistency and allow us to develop proper half back and centre/wing partnerships. That alone will make a significant improvement. Add in better discipline and defence, plus the individual improvement we get from having a stronger squad this season, then collectively our week on week performances should be so much better this season.

Still in the doghouse with the missus after choosing the rugby over her but it was worth it! What a performance! The new signings were sensational and all led by example. Sezer and Cust looked like a proper halfback pairing and minus that heart in mouth moment when Rapana ushered that ball out, he was excellent too. Burrough and Asiata also excelled but the big one I want to applaud is Hardaker. Just loved his overall attitude and work rate last night. Kudos to the existing players as well because everyone really stood up and performed last night. Don't think anyone let us down. They looked like a team last night rather than a bunch of strangers, all operating on the same page in both attack and defence. Especially defence. We were under pressure at times but they remained calm, didn't panic, and worked together to keep Catalans out. Last year we'd have buckled under that pressure resulting in some poor and lazy tackling, gaps would have opened up in defence, and our heads would have gone once a try was conceded. Last night was just such a breath of fresh air to see. It's only one game and there'll be some stumbles along the way but this was a great way to start the season. Might even have a cheeky punt on the playoffs and the cup now!

[quote="BP1":3sarjp8w]One of the problems last night, I thought, was that Thaler and the replay operator seemed to be on a different wavelength every time they went to the screen. Thaler would be asking for one angle and the opposite would appear. Every decision seemed to go through this tortuous process, and when they did finally arrive at the best angle Thaler then proceeded to view it around half a dozen times! Every video call was taking 2-3 minutes at a time. I was amazed at what time it was when the game ended, well after 10pm, more two hours after kick-off. It will feel even longer still when sat inside a cold stadium! The process needs speeding up or half the crowd will fall asleep through boredom![/quote:3sarjp8w] The video ref needs to be given control to the cameras in my opinion. I have 0 idea if that is technically possible. I assume the video ref is somewhere else and not actually sitting in the control room. But if it can be achieved, with some training to all the officials on how to operate it, then it would make things a much quicker process. As you say, it gets tiresome listening to "to back to that last angle. No, the last angle. Now run it back further. And go slower. No, slower! Go back again please. No, back on the play, not back to the last angle"