 | | Team Photo |
The Survivors had their first 15s run-out of the year this weekend against one of the four Korean Pro Teams. Hosted by the Korean Military, the Survivors were given the chance to put into play some of the tactics and moves they had been developing over the last few weeks in training. However, a 32-10 score line (6 tries to 1), highlighted that there is still a lot of work to be done, even if a lot of positives can be taken from the game.
 | | Rico in Flight |
Right from the start the Survivors were on the back foot. By failing to hold-on to the kick-off they gave away early possession to the Koreans deep in their own half. However, indiscipline by the Koreans at the breakdown (something that plagued them throughout) let the Survivors kick for territory and eventually secure a penalty under the posts. First blood to the Survivors, 3-0 (stand in Number 8 Troy Barnes).
The Survivors' line-outs were one of the big positives for the Survivors. The Survivors pack gave-up a lot in terms of size and height, but the movement shown by the jumpers meant that more often than not the Korean jumpers failed to compete in the air.
 | | Kick Off |
The Koreans again dominated at the kick-off, normally a good source of possession for the Survivors. And this is where their superior pack started to dominate. A series of powerful scrums and short running off the rucks saw the Koreans drive the Survivors back to their own line. However, some extraordinary defending by the Survivors saw them survive phase after phase of crash ball and slowly force the Koreans back. Eventually the ball was spun out wide and forced into touch. The Survivors were able to claim the line-out and kick for some breathing space.
 | | Scrum Time |
However, the Koreans just kept coming back. The Survivors' pack was unable to secure clean ball for their backs and the Koreans just kept pounding away through the forwards. Eventually something had to give, and the Koreans secured their first try.
An early injury to stand-in fly-half Theron Fau saw a re-jigging of the back-line, which looked to unsettle things even more. With a drought of good ball making it out to the backs, the Survivors continued to be on the back-foot. Consistent pressure from the Koreans, combined with a sin-binning for Survivors Captain Simon Walsh for an offside tackle, left the Survivors clinging on until half-time. The Survivors managed to fight it out, only conceding one more try. Leaving the score at 3-10, with everything to play for.
 | | Josh Harassing off the Scrum |
 | | Tim on the Burst |
The second-half saw things continue where the first had left-off. The Koreans continued to dominate possession and really limit the Survivors attacking chances. New faces were introduced to the pack, with a complete change in the front-row, but still the Koreans continued to dominate up-front. The Survivors continued to defend very well; with scrum-half Joshua Wainiqolo Loco constantly harassing off the set-plays limiting the fast ball, and the backs holding out strongly when the Koreans did spin it out wide.
Inevitably, more tries were to come; and the Koreans clocked up four more tries off fairly lose play by the Survivors. The Survivors did score a dubious looking try, through Captain Simon Walsh. And did manage to put together the occasional break-away through the backs. But, when called upon, the Korean's defence was more than enough to stop the Survivors breaking through.
 | | Manasa with the Ball |
 | | Won-cho Putting in the Hit |
Overall, it was a disappointing day for the Survivors, but one they will take a lot away from. The defence was solid. The forwards defended well around the rucks and mauls and the backs were always up to the task of stopping their opposite numbers. The six tries leaked by the Survivors were more down to a lack of communication and game awareness than anything else, which can easily be worked on and improved for the next encounter. The more worrying aspect of the game will be the lack of possession. The Survivors' pack will need to go back to basics. They'll need to work on safely securing first phase ball, running some simple pod drives and then off-loading to the backs. Lots to mull over in training! |
