That's Excatly what i have said from the start he was crap in that game.
He wasnt injured. He played bad.
There was a rumour that at least half a dozen (or more) players had gastro but the RFC didn't make a song and dance about excuses.
You may be right....he may have just had a bad day at the office... although he may have also been under the weather and we just don't know the full extent of it. Either way, he wasn't the only 'uninjured' player who had their colours lowered that game. Pies played well that day and we limped into the finals.
I also understand your point about not being as enthused as some about Rance's return. It is a little over hyped given his age and injury. Having said that, he's been a phenomenal player over his career and IMO will be a great inclusion for us wherever he slots in both as a player and importantly as a leader.
Regarding Cox, I think a lot of teams began to work him out too. He can't ever play any better than he did that day. Anticipating his leads into space and blocking it without giving away a free seems to be the key. He was woeful when we smashed them this year - even the pies fans gave him the ironical cheers when he took his first mark in the last quarter. Some in the media seem to have forgotten that we smashed those turkeys this year. Absolutely pants them.