TRL COACHES PLOT DRAGONS’ DEMISE
How to stop the Red V
RUGBY LEAGUE: The St George Illawarra Dragons are flying high at the top of the NRL ladder at the moment.
After doing a number on the Broncos in the opening round, they won ugly against crosstown rivals Cronulla last weekend.
This Sunday in Toowoomba, the Gold Coast Titans have the unenviable task of trying to put a halt to the Dragons’ flaming start to 2018 season.
The Chronicle spoke to a few of our local TRL masterminds on how they’d combat the undefeated Red V.
Titans halfback Ash Taylor started his pathway to the big league through the TRL with the Brothers Leprechauns.
Current coach Chris McEwan said the Toowoomba junior could have a big impact on the historic fixture, as well as a bright future in the NRL.
“He’s in the emerging Origin squad so he’s obviously going really well,” McEwan said.
“There’s a little bit more pressure on shoulders, but he can handle it.
“He’s still young. The best players in the competition are in their 30s.
“Ash is not even close, so what’s he going to be like at that age?”
McEwan said controlling the ruck and limiting the impact of the dangerous Dragons forward pack would be the keys to causing an upset.
“They need to manage ball control. You get about 20 sets in a half, so if you can complete them, it will keep the ball away from them,” he said.
“That will bring Ash and the halves into it.
“Ben Hunt and Gareth Widdop have combined quickly. They have strong forwards and strong ball runners.
“Their forward pack is old school in that they come into contact aggressively and look to break the line as opposed to looking for the quick play the ball.”
Warwick Cowboys coach Phil Economidis knows what it takes to be successful at the top level of rugby league, and said the Titans should look to the sky to take down the Dragons.
“Ash Taylor has got the kicking game, and they score plenty of their tries off kicks,” Economidis said.
“It’s hard to defend against kicks that are on the money.
“The Dragons are going to be a handful. With away games like this, whoever turns up ready to play wins.”