Star Sport
Simmons highlights weaknesses despite win over battling Broncos
9:05pm Saturday 4th February 2012
SAINTS boss Royce Simmons admitted that the opening day win over London Broncos was quite a battle.
He was speaking after seeing James Roby score a late try to finally see off the battling Broncos in front of a noisy crowd at the Stoop.
However, he did admit that there were some weaknesses in the performance which will need attention – particularly the kicking game, last tackle options and the speed of the play the balls.
Simmons said: “There are a few areas where we need to improve. Our kicking game was not as strong as it should have been today.
“Broncos were bringing a lot of ball back to the 60 mark and when they are doing that they are on the attack from then on in.
“Our field position was not great and our last play options were not great but in the back end of the second half we got a few repeat sets and that is what probably what won us the game.
“The speed of our play the balls was pretty poor and that is because we did not put enough plays on. We tended to play a bit safety first, one out, because of the conditions and that allowed them to get plenty of numbers in the tackle and slow our play the balls down.”
He was impressed with London and believes they will be a difficult team to beat this year.
“They have recruited well in the off season with two very good hookers and a good pack of forwards.
“The conditions suited them and they liked getting into a forward battle. Their ball completion in the first half was sensational. Their kicking game was very good too and we had to pull things together to get out of it.”
Back rower Andrew Dixon carried on the fine form he showed in the recent friendly by storming in from half way for a try.
It is a product of his hard work and has responded to the challenge laid down by the coach.
“Dicko has worked hard on his game. I spoke to him last year and told him he had to bring a few extras to his game. He has run a very good line there (for his try) and he has straightened a few people up with his defence, so he is bringing that extra.
“When Chris Flannery pulled out with sickness I had no hesitation about putting him straight into the starting line up. We are going to rotate the squad a little bit so everyone can get a bit of game time under their belts,” he said.
There were sound debuts from Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Flanagan and Lance Hohaia with Simmons pleased with the way they all settled in.
“The new boys went well today. They are trying to learn the way our team plays.
“Laffranchi got a few good carries in and his work rate was very high. Both him and Flanagan are very clean defensively – they tackle well and whereas they don’t get off too quickly nor do they give away sill penalties. They did all the basics well and once they learn how to use Roby they will get better and better.
“As for Lance – for the last year or so he has been playing at hooker. In the off season he has been training in the halves, but all of a sudden because Wello was not right to play he was back catching bombs at full back.
“He is a very adaptable man who is going to be very valuable to us in whatever position he ends up playing,” Simmons said.