Sunday’s semi-finals

[Richard de la Riviere]

Here’s a preview of the semi-finals: https://womensrl.com/?p=478

And there are interviews with each of the four coaches on the website. 

Can’t wait for these games! Saints should win, but Leeds v York is impossible to call. 

 

[BroncoFan]

Jaz Bell really put in some big hits early on, love to see it.

Ebony Stead showed some class for Leeds.

Jenna Foubister was so good for Wigan, I’m wondering if she is developing at a faster rate than Izzy Rowe even, such is her quality.

Leah Burke again getting the job done for Saints.

[WRLFan]

Leeds game plan was awful

Easy to predict every set

For the 3rd game running Hardcastle didn’t pass a single ball to her winger!!

casey can only kick to her left

Credit to York who certainly know how to beat Leeds 

a few players played their last game for Leeds yesterday including a few very interesting rumours !!! 

 

[RigbyLuger]

58 minutes ago, WRLFan said:

For the 3rd game running Hardcastle didn’t pass a single ball to her winger!!

 

The sport needs to quickly find a new player who they can focus on at every opportunity, because. I'm afraid, Hardcastle isn't the star anymore.

[BroncoFan]

When Leeds needed Hardcastle yesterday she was nowhere to be seen.

 

[BroncoFan]

1 hour ago, WRLFan said:

 

a few players played their last game for Leeds yesterday including a few very interesting rumours !!! 

 

I’m guessing Hannah Butcher will retire.

Bethan Dainton is getting on in age, I think she is around 35 but hope she plays on next year as she is still very fit.

Wouldnt be surprised if Hoyle isn’t there next season, just a hunch.

What are the rumours ?

[WRLFan]

5 hours ago, BroncoFan said:

When Leeds needed Hardcastle yesterday she was nowhere to be seen.

 

How about Hardcastle will be nowhere to be seen in Leeds next season 

[RBKnight]

This is probably also about how well Leeds have managed to move the ball to get AH in space too (or rather haven't) With my York hat on, late period Carrie Robert has been far more effective than Amy Hardcastle ...

[unapologetic pedant]

Some of this commentary on Amy is a bit rough. Players can fulfil different roles at different stages of their career. Largely down to the coach to work that out.

[RigbyLuger]

I think there's sometimes a reluctance to admit players get older, and that's no-ones fault. She'll be in the Hall of Fame as soon as she's eligible.

[RBKnight]

Tamzin Renouf clear to play for York in the final (no further action by disciplinary panel after her sin-binning against Leeds)

[unapologetic pedant]

2 hours ago, RBKnight said:

Tamzin Renouf clear to play for York in the final (no further action by disciplinary panel after her sin-binning against Leeds)

That incident demonstrated how much the interpretation of "late" has changed. No longer acceptable for defenders to claim they were committed to the tackle before the ball had gone.

Now, late is late. Regardless of intent. Obligation on the tackler to judge whether she'll get there in time. Same as Soccer. 

Another nod to @Dunbar. Protection of creative players has undoubtedly been a key factor in higher NRL scores.

[The Blues Ox]

19 hours ago, RigbyLuger said:

I think there's sometimes a reluctance to admit players get older, and that's no-ones fault. She'll be in the Hall of Fame as soon as she's eligible.

Yeah the game always evolves, Amy had size and strength before it became a fad but as the younger players have slowly taken over not only do they also have that size and strength but they have much better core skills as well. Amy was badly exposed in the world cup which may have ben the writing on the wall. I think she is doing the right thing trying to cash in off the field while she still has her reputation.

[RBKnight]

7 hours ago, unapologetic pedant said:

That incident demonstrated how much the interpretation of "late" has changed. No longer acceptable for defenders to claim they were committed to the tackle before the ball had gone.

Now, late is late. Regardless of intent. Obligation on the tackler to judge whether she'll get there in time. Same as Soccer. 

Another nod to @Dunbar. Protection of creative players has undoubtedly been a key factor in higher NRL scores.

Can't help thinking every time I watch NRLW (and admittedly I haven't watched as much this year) that it's the clean, well policed ruck that has opened up the game down under. I remember being amazed last year seeing Raiders Hollie Dodd getting penalised (no six again in NRLW) for simply having a hand on the shoulder on an opponent playing the ball.

By comparison, the policing of the ruck is like herding cattle in the WSL (contrary to the impression given by some well-meaning commenters, who think the women's game is somehow "unsullied" by the wrestle at the ruck)

Sorting this out, IMHO, would open up our game significantly.

 

[unapologetic pedant]

5 hours ago, RBKnight said:

Can't help thinking every time I watch NRLW (and admittedly I haven't watched as much this year) that it's the clean, well policed ruck that has opened up the game down under. 

No shortage of deficiencies in the NRLW ruck this year. 

5 hours ago, RBKnight said:

I remember being amazed last year seeing Raiders Hollie Dodd getting penalised (no six again in NRLW) for simply having a hand on the shoulder on an opponent playing the ball.

Relevant clause is -

"Release Tackled Player: The tackled player shall be immediately released and shall not be touched until the ball is in play"

If the defender remained in contact as the tackled player regained her feet, the ref has to judge whether compliance with the "Held - Release" call was sufficiently prompt. However, if the defender has clearly released, then renews contact (however minor), this is deemed a second effort.

5 hours ago, RBKnight said:

Sorting this out, IMHO, would open up our game significantly.

In my view, skill levels are the major difference between the two comps.

[RigbyLuger]

 

[The Blues Ox]

On 23/09/2024 at 16:57, WRLFan said:

How about Hardcastle will be nowhere to be seen in Leeds next season 

Wigan bound?

[RigbyLuger]

1 hour ago, The Blues Ox said:

Wigan bound?

Didn't she move back to this side of the Pennines to cut down on travel?

[The Blues Ox]

4 hours ago, RigbyLuger said:

Didn't she move back to this side of the Pennines to cut down on travel?

And the offer of money from Leeds. She won't be going to Wigan for nothing if it is true.

[WRLFan]

Nothing official and Leeds women off now until end of November

[The Blues Ox]

The next question would be if Shona follows her.

[unapologetic pedant]

On 25/09/2024 at 21:41, RBKnight said:

By comparison, the policing of the ruck is like herding cattle in the WSL (contrary to the impression given by some well-meaning commenters, who think the women's game is somehow "unsullied" by the wrestle at the ruck)

Sorting this out, IMHO, would open up our game significantly.

Further thoughts, after re-watching the Saints/Wigan semi. Wigan ruck infringements were a key factor.

Discussion of ruck speed on the General Forum is usually accompanied by references to "wrestling". The limits of understanding used to be "lying on" and "holding down". Now we can add "wrestling".

The so-called "wrestling" involves defenders delaying completion of the tackle i.e. preventing the ball or ball-carrying arm from reaching the ground. Perfectly legitimate contest between ball-carrier and tacklers. Even if some fans think otherwise, nothing can be done to stop it, short of changing the age-old definition of completion.

The more important matter is what happens after the tackle is complete. Working on the ground, slow and staggered peels, crowding the mark, second efforts, etc. These are the activities refs have to judge whether to sanction with penalties or set restarts. Not "wrestling".

A typical second-effort begins when the ball-carrier wins the contact and finds her front. The law says tacklers should immediately roll away and come round into marker. Ref verbally lets them know if they made it in time. All too often though, tacklers feel entitled to clamber back through the mark and over the tackled player as she's regaining her feet.

I have a theory that the staged PTBs of modern RL (handovers, held-up in-goal, ball crossing touch-line), where the ref suspends resumption while he sets the defence, has led to a belief that the tackled player should have to wait to play the ball until defenders have assumed their position at marker. The result is a painfully slow ruck and/or multiple set restarts.