Quote: Loiner at large "29 tackles and only played 40 minutes. If we going to continue to play the way we are he definitely needs to play the first half every week!
Will be missing next week so others need to step up defensively.'"
I think we'd all mostly agree he is very good in defensive workrate, no issues there.
We also have a lot of complaining on here about lack of go-forward and he is one of the main culprits, as a forward. Contrast with Martin and McDonnell who both offer loads more in offense, and this is why I wouldn't have Bentley in my starting 13. McDonnell is physically bigger and stronger than Bentley and looks to be improving there too. He handles bigger men better than Bentley can IMO and he is better technically on the ground too, whereas Bentley tends to niggle too much and get pinged for it. I also think McDonnell has better skill than Bentley, generally.
Martin has been very decent this year in the second row - at least what he lacks in outright size he makes up for in pace. If he breaks the first line he's dangerous.
My first choice back row would be McDonnell and Martin, and I'd let Goudemand, Bentley, Gannon, O'Connor and whoever else fight out the bench spots. Actually the better comparison is Bentley v O'Connor as they are similar players in some ways.
I was thinking a couple of times when Mom went for intercepts, in dry conditions I reckon he takes those and it's probably a try. His rugby brain is there he's just not quite on his timing and form yet. Interested to see how he develops with more game time and drier tracks, he could be disappointing or ace, haven't made my mind up yet.
