Well I guess we can now stop speculating whether the Reds are the real thing – they are. Their uncompromising win over the Stormers last night confirmed this point and it is worth noting they have beaten the other three teams that sit above them on the table at the moment.
The Reds win against the Stormers was about as close to “winning-ugly” they have come to all year. In all their games there have been enough flourishes of attack for them to be called the entertainers. Such a statement misses the point that most victories this season have been built on defence.
What it also displayed was the Reds ability to win a game that did not go to plan. The Reds were taken away from their game plan but showed the nous to be able to scrap a win.
Speaking about how the game unfolded Link highlighted the plan the Reds took into the game, and how this changed as the night wore on.
“We thought we might attack them a little more but they tackled us very well so you’ve got to give them credit but credit to our guys also for finding a way to win”
Once again the Reds showed little touches that flustered and surprised the opposition.
Last week the Bulls struggled with the Reds at the lineout not knowing if they would compete in the air or stay on the ground to mitigate the rolling maul and it was this confusion that lead to Rocket Rod’s try early in the second half.
This week it was the Reds again playing with their oppositions collective heads as they dis-engaged after a lineout as the Stormers formed a maul with the Reds receiving the penalty for obstruction.
Not a new tactic, but a very effective one.
The Reds also took to combating the tallest man on the field with the shortest. At the lineout it was Will Genia (1.74m) who provided the option and negated Andries Bekker’s (2.08m) effectiveness at stealing oppositions’ throws – it was David vs Goliath stuff.
Genia finished the night with three lineouts wins and this relatively simple tactic distracted the Stormers lineout defence and rendered it useless.
The kick is something the Reds have used sparingly so far this year but last night against the Stormers they kicked plenty, 24 times in fact. Double what the Reds kicked the week before against the Bulls.
The cross field kick was clearly part of the plan for the outside men to find space and McKenzie was happy with how it worked.
“We knew we had to kick a little bit and tactically that was an option for us given the way and the speed with which they defend with and how enthusiastic they are off the line.
“There were opportunities there but you’ve got to be good enough to get the kick to work and luckily enough Quade got a good one and Will read it well”
It wasn’t all sunshine and happiness for the Reds who started poorly and were unable to find any sort of rhythm in the first half as their natural up tempo rugby failed to yield results.
Link seemed somewhat philosophical about the slow start.
“You’ve got to remember that we are a young side and they are in un-chartered territory. The weight of expectation gets heavier as the weeks go on and that can manifest itself in many different ways.
‘We didn’t settle into a rhythm in the first half and you’ve got to give some credit to the opposition, they were very physical. But, as I said, we found a way to work through that.”
You can talk about the technical aspects of the Reds play but perhaps something that is not rating a mention is the emotional aspect.
To sit, watch and support the Reds during a game is to be on a roller-coaster as they thrill, frustrate, amaze and under-whelm at times in equal measure.
Everyone (even the mungoes) who speak to me about the Reds love the way they play. It’s not so much because they tackle well or throw plenty of passes, but because they are having a Red-hot go.
Call it youthful exuberance perhaps, but whatever it is – it’s new, its’ fresh and as the 30-odd thousand punters that showed up to Lang Park can attest, it’s fantastic.
Wallaby Watch
Put his hand up: Just when you thought Will Genia’s game couldn’t get any better he starts mixing it with the forwards. Scored a “non-try” at the end which he was adamant was legit.
Did himself no favours: QC‘s flaky start to the match brought back memories of 2008 however he managed to just break-even by the end of the match. Not what you want from a starting international fly-half
Bolter watch: The Reds are winning due to defence and direct running, both of which are built around Anthony Faingaa – he has to part of Robbie’s plans somehow. Ben Daley gets a mentioned in dispatches with a timely performance while Fat Cat is winged.
