We have another local derby this weekend with the Reds flying across the land to take on the Force. After being thrashed by the Chiefs, what changes will the Reds make?
Personally, I’d probably just make the one.
Working from the back three first. It’s stating the obvious that McLinden, Davies and Connor were well and truly outplayed by their opposite numbers. But I wouldn’t change them (assuming Hynes is still not right). What a fantastic learning experience for them and they will be better off for it. Which ever of Mitchell, Shepherd, Cummins, Sare or Staniforth end up playing there for the Force won’t be as threatening. Giteau’s kicking game will definitely test them out however, so all will have to be a lot more tuned in than they were on the weekend.
Plus Ione and Barnes in the centres is a real strength for us at the moment. You could make a case for moving Digby to wing and playing Fetoai at outcentre. I am sure Mooney et al will consider this, but I hope they don’t follow through. Whilst I am still confident of Digby getting plenty of ball on the wing, I just think that Fetoai is a bit of a blinkered player, with limited ability at setting up his outside man. Digby has more strike power and now has developed a decent passing game. Keep him there and back the younguns I say.
The halves remain the same, with Quade being reminded he is allowed to tackle. Plus, in my eyes at least, this is a mano-a-mano match up of the two Wallaby 10 candidates. There is no denying Gits will be in the Wallabies, but if Cooper can have a biggun’ this week then Gits may be moving out a spot to 12. Ironically I thought Lucas was better on the weekend, than he has been at least, before being replaced at half time. If he’s fit, he’ll start.
The backrow is where my one change would be, and it’s the same that has been mooted in the media. Scott Higginbottham needs to come back into the starting lineup to assist in solidifying our forward presence. Leroy remains on the strength of his previous form, but I’d like him to try and put a few more hits on when tackling – Palu style.
This means McMeniman moves into lock to partner big Kev, who should be better for the run. Van the man is the unlucky player, but we need to be more aggressive in the pack, not just workmanlike. I feel McMeniman often plays better at lock anyway, taking on a more muscular presence, rather than running out wide.
The front row remains the same for mine. Ben Daley is playing damn well. Hardman had a poor game after his great effort v the Sharks (plus we have Fainaa on the bench – why kick Saia?) with Weekes at Tight Head.
On the bench I’d expect we will stick with Faingaas, Kennedy, Humphreys, Luafutu, McKibbon, Faingaaa and Fetoai. You’d have to think that James Hanson would be a shot some time soon. And who knows? It may be this weekend against a weaker scrimmaging team like the Force?
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2140 https://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/?p=2140">10 Comments
I reckon if Va’alu is fit there will be two changes with Connor making way for him.
It is really disappointing that niether Fetoai or A. Faainga have progressed to the point of being a reasonable back-up player. Ben Tapuai from the academy side would not be too far behind either of them.
I never thought I’d say it, but we need Morgs the Pie Eater!!
I suppose the fact they have already signed the mungo from Melbourne for next year suggests that both Fetoai and A Faainga will come under pressure to hold their contracts
Don’t want to harp on about it but don’t forget Luke Morahan next year as well. And the murmurings about White Wendell (Mitchell) returning to the Reds seem to be getting louder. If Turunui returns to full fitness and stays, that will provide a pretty solid outside back complement ‘moving forward’.
You’d think that Rodney Davies time spent in league would have nurtured his defensive skills to some degree – I counted 4 missed tackles on Masaga alone last Saturday night…..
Agree with you on Higgenbatty Noddy. I’m not sure MMM has the pace for the game you guys want to play, and to defend against teams like the Chiefs
Juan – totally with you on the young outside backs, they really haven’t taken the opportunities that they’ve been given.
Faainga bros are looking pretty ordinary at the moment
personally I am not really concerned too much about the backs. Its getting hardened, test quality forwards that is key. Horwill and MMM are the players we need to build the pack around.
Unfortunately, there is not much test experience around them. Braid has experience and has been of value obviously, but Houston, Humphreys, Weekes and Daley haven’t played international footy. Hardman has but will be gone in a year or two, leaving us back with Hanson (or I fear Faingaa). Another rookie. I fear for Holmes’s career too. He needs to refind that country boy aggression he had a few years ago.
Moore would have made a MASSIVE difference this year. So much of a difference. Probably even would have ended up as skipper in Horwill’s absence.
Totally agree about MMM being in the second row. There he becomes a very athletic lock, on the flank he has looked more like an average super 14 flanker.
Does anyone else agree that when Quade Cooper has been quietest is when the Reds have their best games? When he just does the basic kicking and passing and less dancing around they look better. Maybe its just me. Thoughts anyone?
I don’t buy in to the QC hype. On virtualsports his average is actually -3 [you get – points for handling errors & cards].
Naly D’s last blog post..Super 14 Week 7 highlights [video]
I actually disagree on Cooper. The Reds have looked most dangerous and have made a lot of busts when Quade takes on the line and successfully off loads. There was some great passages of play in the Sharks games where a the inside backs were making half breaks and then off loading in the tackle to loose and tight forwards coming from depth. The weakness is when Cooper starts to get a bit too excited and pushes the 10/90 passes and not just the 50/50 ones.
Yah, I think your making my point better for me (meaning I basically agree with you). When he and Barnes are switching off being 10, and Cooper doesn’t try to make a match-winning play everytime he touches the ball. QC just needs to calm the hell down. And a back three with a clue (ie. when Hynes comes back)
Releasing Squeeky Moore…Reds worst decision ever. Signing Saia Faingaa, 2nd worst decision ever.
Squeeky provides impressive go forward that at the moment is offered by no front rowers. Holmes had a couple of runs when he was younger, none more faous than THAT run in a wallaby jumper, however, the thing with props is, they arent paid to run the ball all that much. Its the tight work they need to do. Thats why an agreeive agile and go forard hooker is of the utmost importance. Squeeky offers it, Faingaa simple offers bad hair and a lgihtweight body that gets manhandles every time he gets the pill in hand. He also offers a Jeremy Paul like throw, you never knwo where its going to go.
I think in the outside backs, Hynes return will be a positive, and i have been most impressed by Mungo Mclindens play the last few games. Yes he might have been outplayed against the chiefs, but there is a Fullback there who has been an All Black since Mungo was playing Jersey flegg in NSW. There was seldom a one on one matchup at 15 agains the chiefs, so in terms of a matchup there its hard to commment, but when looking at how he injected himself, Mils probably has greater responsiblity to do so in his teams strategy, and Mugos game was probably impacted by the fact that as the senior statesman, he was organsising Connor and Davies.
I think Hynes Mungo and Connor/Vaalu offer the best option in the back 3.
Keep the 10 12 13 combo as it is.
8 Houston is playing wonderful football, however i will concede, the game he is trying to play is probably just out of his grasp….he is trying to play like Kankowski or Spies, when he is better suited to the Palu style, no questions asked grunt. So the question is who compliments him better. braid is alas a lock at 7 because of his Marquee status, but is he offering anything, probably not as much as desired. you’d get more bnefit from having Croft still there.
So at 6 who do you play. MMm or Higgers? Higgers, probably more mobile, hungrier, and has a better skill set than MMM at the moment, but MMM is an incumbent Wallaby, so regardless of form, for the next few weeks MMM is in at 6….
Van Humphries and Kev should stay at lock. Humphries for set piece organisation, Kev for aggression in tight.
well, no changes to the starting team, with Ezra in for Tasi on the bench:
1. Ben Daley (Gold Coast)
2. Sean Hardman (Brothers)
3. Laurie Weeks (University)
4. Van Humphries (Souths)
5. James Horwill (c) (University)
6. Hugh McMeniman (Wests)
7. Daniel Braid (Sunshine Coast)
8. Leroy Houston (Norths)
9. Ben Lucas (Sunnybank)
10. Quade Cooper (Souths)
11. Rod Davies (GPS)
12. Berrick Barnes (Wests)
13. Digby Ioane (Sunnybank)
14. Blair Connor (Norths)
15. Mark McLinden (Sunnybank)
Reserves:
16. Saia Faingaa (Souths)
17. Jack Kennedy (Souths)
18. Scott Higginbotham (Wests)
19. Ezra Taylor (University)
20. Brendan McKibbin (Brothers)
21. Anthony Faingaa (Souths)
22. Charlie Fetoai (Sunnybank)
http://www.qru.com.au/library/news/2009/090401_reds_team_for_force_match,68334.html