Boats n Hoes
Oh I agree with you about Kata and the tackle efficiency rate doesn't measure how one reads in defence.
But it is a direct measure of tackles made (and no their not 3rd man tackles) to the amount of tackles missed, and currently Shaun Johnson is performing pretty well at not dropping off, getting bumped off or getting run over or coming up with a straight miss. In fact better than any of our other halves and fares favourably compared to halves in the whole comp.
His initial contact in D is good and if he's at least holding up the big blokes until help arrives then that's a million times better than just getting straight steam rolled or missing straight up ala James Maloney styles, then surely that's what counts......in fact that whole right edge on D have been scrambling well often holding up until the calvary arrives.
Teams will always target halves, its rugby league 101, their generally smaller blokes so there's going to be more purchase lining your oompas up against them. Not only that but in Shauns case its a recognition of the threat he poses ball in hand and a definite ploy to drain some petrol out of the tank so he less likely to be more effective when he does get the ball.
If defending on the wing wasn't so specialised in nature I would have him out there instead of 3 in burning up energy on D (Cowboys) do with Thurston from time to time) just smart play I reckon.
Its been (I thought) pretty obvious the improvement on D in Shaun Johnson's game over the last 3 seasons. While recognizing he will always be a target (as is Green, as Lino when he plays) I now feel fairly safe or have an expectation the the line will hold.....hasn't always been that way.
Oh and incidently this season Shaun Johnson's tackle efficiency rate - 82.7%, Ata Hingano - 63.1%
