The Reds two game tour of South Africa could not have begun on a worse note with the news that both Hugh McMeniman and Morgan Turinui, will be missing from the squad to take on the Bulls this weekend.
Morgs has finally succumbed to a case of ‘pie-eater’s shoulder’ after struggling with it throughout the trial phases, while Madness, who was in some doubt with a shoulder injury of his own, has flown home on compassionate grounds. While the loss of Morgs can be covered in some respects by Charlie Fetoai, the loss of McMeniman will leave an un-pluggable hole in an already weak Reds pack.
As shown in the trial match against the Force, the Reds line-out looked pretty ordinary but it was the sight of the scrum going backwards in the first 20 mins that really sent whispers of concern around Ballymore – not the sort of form you’re after when going up against the Bulls.
Although the Bulls are yet to name their team, surely they won’t stray too far from their usual power game – which will be enhanced with this year’s return of uber-Bulls, Victor Matfield and JP Nel.
The news isn’t all bad for the Reds however, as some strange things have been going on around Loftus. Most of the Bulls big-guns have only played one trial match, two weeks ago against the Cheetahs, which they lost. There have also been whispers of some less than happy campers within the Bulls squad as well as pressure on Coach Frans Ludeke, since Bulls favourite Heyneke Meyer, pulled the pin at Leicester. How much the Bulls will miss the cultured boot of Derrick Hougaard could also be a telling factor.
The game will be decided at the set piece. If the Reds can minimise the damage here, they may be able to run the Bulls into the ground by playing the up-tempo game that worked so well for them in the last 30 minutes of the Force trial match – this is their only hope.
Whatever the outcome of the match, it will be a memorable one for Reds hooker Sean Hardman, who plays his 100th Super rugby match – a first for the Reds.
Cote says: Bulls by 10
Reds squad(from fullback): Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Charlie Fetoai, Berrick Barnes (c), Brando Va’aulu, Quade Cooper, Ben Lucas, Leroy Houston, Daniel Braid, Scott Higginbotham, Adam Byrnes, Van Humphries, Dayna Edwards, Sean Hardman, Greg Holmes. Reserves: Saia Faingaa, Laurie Weeks, Robert Simmons, Poutasi Luafutu, Will Genia, Anthony Faingaa, Mark McLinden
Bulls squad (from fullback): Zane Kirchner; Akona Ndungane, Jaco Pretorius, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana; Morné Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Pierre Spies, Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield (captain), Bakkies Botha, Werner Kruger, Derick Kuün, Gurthrö Steenkamp. Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Frik Kirsten, Danie Rossouw, Pedrie Wannenburg, Heini Adams, Burton Francis, JP Nel.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="1084 https://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/?p=1084">19 Comments
Juan – for you to be dark about the Reds chances isn’t good news. This wasn’t what Mooney was hoping for as a start no doubt
JC – I think you’re being too conservative in your estimate. I reckon they’ll lose by at least 20 points. Although I’m a Reds supporter, their forward pack without Madness, Big Kev, Ezra Taylor and some of the props from last year (Coutts, Rodzilla etc)will be monstered. This Laurie Weekes guy was lauded by the Sydney media last year as to how tough he was…well, its time for him to deliver…I doubt whether he’ll come up to expectations. I’ve got another bad feeling about this year!
As a life long reds fan I hate to say it, but we are going to get FLOGGED. Without Horwill and MMM there’s just not enough hardness in our pack.
I agree Bulls by 20+
Least aggregate points in a match:
9 – Brumbies def. Reds 6-3 in Brisbane, 2007
11 – Reds def. Sharks 6-5 in Durban, 2004
11 – Reds def. Hurricanes 11-0 in Brisbane, 1999
Biggest winning margin:
89 – Bulls def. Reds 92-3 in Pretoria, 2007
The stats on the reds speak for themselves.
Both the 2007 games are invalid as Eddie was coach, it was not the fault of the Reds but Eddie’s fault and his fault alone.
That leaves the Reds 2 wins from 2 games…100% win record – these stats speak for themselves
the qld team will be like red rags to bulls.
Bobas’s last blog post..Japan vs Australia WCQ
Bobo, it took everything I had to resist using that particular cliche so I’m glad someone finally did :)
I wouldnt be too harsh about the absence of Houggard as Morne Steyn has been in competition with Brian Lima’s Favourite Target for the last 3 years and consistently found himslef either on the bench or placed at FB to accomodate him in the team. Steyn has the ability to lead from 10 and kick points, and kick the bulls into field position so they can use their set piece.
Bulls team is now up and a potent midfield with Burners on the sting will kepe the reds hands full.
inside is Olivier who always looks to excite and was unlucky not the be a regular replacement back for the safas last year, is partnered by Jaco Pretorius (see a player of the Jen de Viliers or Jacque Fourie mould), and on the stings, our favourite has been Habana and Ndungane.
the partnerhsip between Morne Styen adn Fourie du Preez will be intersting, probbly look to Fourie to organise the forwards and link work and Morne just to conentrate on the back line and territory.
But its their forward that i thik will offer the most issues for the reds.
Kuun at Rake will lead that tight 5 like a Luftwaffe squadron, with Steenkamp at Loosehead who is always destructive (loking forward to dayna taking him on), and Botha and matfield lock up the Tight 5.
Spies is potentially the most dangerous mobile but still hard 8 since Harinodorquay put on a french jersey, and partnered by Potgeiter will be all over the pill in defence and attack.
But lets give the reds some Credit here. they have a set piece specialist in Harman leading a rejuvenated Holmes and the ever improving Dayna Edwards in the set piece….backed up by the evergreen journeyman Van Humphries marshallig the Lineout.
I think Houston and Braid will cause headaches for the Bulls, and Higgers, is good enough to offer a majority of what Madness offers….lets not forget, they are at the same Club, and Higgers has played more ruggers than Madness over the last few years, including reds, reds academy, Aus 7s, and being a seasoned player in Brisbanes premier comp (remember thats where they sent Madness to recover from injury before his first wallaby game last year)
I thin the bulls iwll win, but i am predicting single digits. The key matchups will be
Wingers on Wingers: Safas migh hav ethe pace, but Diggers, Hynes and Vaalu are tough wingers who if they cant run around you, will run over you. And habanas defence has always been suspect.
13 on 13: Fetoai against Pretorius. The Defendre against the steam train. this will be intersting.
Barnes vs Steyn. I know Barnes is 12 and Steyn is 10, btu these 2 will be primarily responsible for organisation and territory. If Steyn wins, the Bulls set piece will reign supreme. if Barnes wins, its still 50:50
Humphries vs Matfield: Both the LO callers. Both scientists of the set piece. its not so much ball Humphries can win (on own or opp throw) but how much he can disrupt the Bulls platform.
and Dayna vs Guthro: is Dayna edwards a flash int he pan. his perfromance againt Steenkamp, one of the best props in the Super comp, will be a war of attrition.
I thin the bulls iwll win too
Bobas’s last blog post..Japan vs Australia WCQ
Reds never in it and the scoreline flatters them.
The Bulls toyed with the Reds scrum and scored two tries off the back of it to du Preez and Spies.
The Reds tried to play the match with ball in hand rather than the aimless kicking that has featured in most other games however, the Bulls dominance at the breakdown stifled any chances.
Effectively, the game was over in the 55th minute when recidivist, Adam Byrnes, was yellow carded.
It wasn’t that the Reds played badly to lose – they were simply never really in the hunt due to the Bulls physical presence.
Cooper looked ok, Higgs went well considering what he was up against and Diggers made the most of his fairly limited opportunities. Genia and Mungo added some spark when they came on but the lack of support from the forwards meant it all came to nothing.
What Byrnes did was thick, but I had a pretty wry fucking grin on my face seeing Bakkies “baby eater” Botha pointing outraged and bleating to the ref about it. He’s the ruck shoulder charge master – ask Mortlock. (although he might not remember much about it…)
Agree with JC, the reds were dominated at the breakdown and as a result what little ball they got was slow and stationary. Without MMM and Horwill, the reds pack does just not have enough fire power. Marius Jonkers did NOT win them the game however the reds were a tad unlucky to have Adam Byrnes sin binned when there were a number of times that Bulls chasers on high kicks mistimed (obstructed?) their jumps resulting in the Reds players being wiped out. Does anyone know why SANZAR have gone away from having a neutral ref?
It was announced late last year as a way of improving the overall standard of refereeing by having the best ref’s for the top games and let the not-so-top-refs have the not-so-top-games.
I think it’s a good idea as I don’t exactly think any ref is/would be biased toward a team from their country over a team from a different country – no matter what the NZ commentators may imply.
I think the idea is to be reviewed half-way through the comp.
I watched most of the games and didn’t think the ref’s unduly influenced any of the results; the victories went to the teams that deserved them.
I agree to about obstruction under the high ball and at kick-off’s. I noticed Canterbury and Wellington sent heaps of guys into the air at kick-off to create general confusion with them having no intention of going for the ball.
The Tahs did something interesting that looked as though it was quite rehearsed. From a kick-off (I think it was after Turner’s try), one of the locks went into the air supported by both props as a decoy with Capt Claret stationed just behind. As the ball approached the Canes jumpers rattled into the lock and props while the ball sailed over their heads into the hands of Waugh. Waugh looked like he was expecting it the whole time and had a clean catch and subsequent run. It might be coincidence, but it didn’t look like it.
The Bulls seemed like they were attacking the man rather than the ball however the Reds could have used the same tactics had their kicking game been more effective
Expect Premier Colts at Souths to use this ploy, 1 in 4 Kickoffs. I know you’ll be there Cote.
I thought I saw a Wests Colts team in a game last year using this same obstructive tactic. Didn’t do them much good…..
Without being too severe on the Reds….who did some good things…but they were out-thought, outplayed at the breakdown and in the air, and sustained too much pressure…which facilitated a high mistake rate. I also thought the Bulls tactical kicking was far superior.
What is it with not being able to catch the high ball under a bit of pressure? These guys are supposed to be professional footy players. No wonder Eddie Jones got up some of them…it’s basic stuff. Under pressure, Cooper starts reverting to his schoolboy days again…with that bloody Benji step of his.
Higginbum and Leroy went pretty well…likewise Fan Humpty. You can see the Sevens experience having a positive influence on Higgo. …but I’m afraid the rest just weren’t able to muscle up to Victor (‘you’re such an unattractive man’), Bakkies, Potgeiter, Spies and the rest. The Bulls had a pretty good bench as well. I guess Big Kev and Madness would have made a difference but its about that depth thing again – especially in the front row. I guess everyone new that beforehand.
Genia was a better option in this type of game….he’s a bit bigger than Lucas and acted as an extra forward. I thought he did pretty well. Fingers Yuwane….what can you say….Diggers had a blinder and was Dangerous (with a capital D) every time he managed to catch the ball. Didn’t look too confident under the high ball, but that’s in his genes…at least he’s overcome dropping the pill every time.
The Reds defence was sturdy early in the game although you could foretell that it was only a matter of time before the dike was breached. They began to fall off tackles as the game wore on, with Lucas’s effort (or lack of) the most prominent. Barnes did his ‘general’ thing in the midfield OK, without setting the world on fire…I think he only made one break but him and Fetoey are a good defensive combination. I think Morgs was missed on attack.
The future? Unfortunately I think the Stormers are going to do the same….but the Reds game might be more compatible with the way they play….so you never know.
I mentioned Tom Court being selected for Ireland the other day. Another Queenslander, Ed O’Donoghue, one of the Reds locks over the past couple of years was selected for Ireland A on the bench last week. Mr Ed is a bit of a journeyman who had minimal impact in his time with the Reds. He was an Eddie Jones selection who’s currently turning out for Ulster (with the Pole – Clinton Tchaichovsky). He had previously played with Northhampton and Worcester before the Reds signed him. He’s another with Irish parentage and obviously sees an international future in that hemisphere. Can’t blame him if opportunities like that arise – would have no chance here.
Ed went to Marist Rosalie in Brisbane, a relatively minor rugby school, and is the alma mater of current Reds flanker Tasi Luafutu (and unfortunately, Santo Santoro)……..
Fuck a duck – Ireland A must be struggling if they have picked Mr Ed..and a catholic into the bargain!
Thanks for the update Lance