Reds v Blues Rd 11 Fri 25th April 2025

[Yoda]

LOL @ the people thinking Tizzano is better than McReight.

This isn’t some bloke we’re hoping will play well if he gets selected for the Wobs

He’s already performed at a high level for the Wallabies previously.

Anyway back to the game this weekend…

He will step up this week no doubt.

 

[zer0]

Live stream of the Blues forwards undergoing cultural training for how to respectfully handle the post-match hopes and dreams of the swamp people.

 

[Ignoto]

Live stream of the Blues forwards undergoing cultural training for how to respectfully handle the post-match hopes and dreams of the swamp people.

I don't think the Kiwis living in Logan will take too kindly being referred to as swampies.

 

[zer0]

They are Westies and, therefore, not to be taken seriously.

 

[Ras]

What is the go with the blues this year? Injury riddled or NZ Rugby great migration taking to much out of them. s

For a team with heaps of strike out wide and experience in the tight 5 why are they underperforming so much?

 

[zer0]

Injuries and trying to play too indirect with the toughest schedule for the first half of the season. They've now cleared most of the injury list and playing the 2024 direct power game.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Injuries and trying to play too indirect with the toughest schedule for the first half of the season. They've now cleared most of the injury list and playing the 2024 direct power game.

The brambled gorse has been cleared, the runway is lit up, the heavens beckon, Flight Blue Destiny 666 you are cleared for high altitude boomfa dogfighting and extended astral planing.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

• I will sully your ballz Dismal you ****** ******** 47.4%​

• their jerseys aren't even red ffs 47.4%​

• Derpus blows goats 47.4%​

Polling is TIGHT!

I can hardly bear to watch!

 

[zer0]

REDS
Starting: Sef Fa'agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Joe Brial, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Dre Pakeho, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell

Bench: George Blake, Alex Hodgman, Massimo De Lutiis, Angus Blyth, Ryan Smith, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Heremaia Murray

Unavailable: Filipo Daugunu, Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Matt Gibbon, Frankie Goldsbrough, Mason Gordon, Isaac Henry, Will McCulloch, Josh Nasser, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright

BLUES
Starting: Joshua Fusitu'a, Kurt Eklund, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Cam Christie, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Mark Tele’a, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Cole Forbes, Zarn Sullivan

Bench: Ricky Riccitelli, Mason Tupaea, Hamdahn Tuipulotu, Laghlan McWhannell, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Beauden Barrett, Corey Evans

Unavailable: Dalton Papali’i (ankle), Caleb Clarke (thigh), Marcel Renata (calf), Reon Paul (shoulder), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (neck, season), Sam Darry (shoulder, season)

 

[zer0]

Thought Cotter might've run with another 6-2 bench tbh. Plummer at 10 is unexpected. Finlay Christie still lingering around is not, unfortunately. Cotter has also passive aggressively brought Sam Nock back for the first time in a few weeks.

 

[dru]

Is my recollection to be trusted? Red 6/2 bench seems the first in a while.

 

[TSR]

Is my recollection to be trusted? Red 6/2 bench seems the first in a while.

First I can remember

 

[dru]

I'm also not sure how often George Blake has played at Hooker this season. A few at LHP. I actually like his work there but we shouldn't forget the recent lineout issues. Hopefully they have the right amount of simplification going on.

Jock Campbell starting it's been a while I think.

I don't mind the look of this team given the injury list. Fingers crossed that the Blues don't choose this week to return to full form.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Two pure locks on the Reds bench is a little surprising and unconventional. Suggests a fairly attritional match strategy.

Really love De Lutis but no JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen) in the 23 is also surprising if he’s available.

 

[TSR]

Playing the Blues makes me nervous. However if we are going to compete we need to be able to win games like this at home. Despite the injuries the team available is still strong enough.

 

[LeCheese]

Two pure locks on the Reds bench is a little surprising and unconventional. Suggests a fairly attritional match strategy.

Undoubtedly three Reds backs now get injured and we have to run Canham on the wing

 

[hawko07]

Undoubtedly three Reds backs now get injured and we have to run Canham on the wing

Nah surely Uru goes to the wing and channels his compatriot Radike Samo

 

[Sword of Justice]

Undoubtedly three Reds backs now get injured and we have to run Canham on the wing

Wouldn’t surprise me based on the size of the Blues backline.

I think the Reds have picked a team to grind it out through the guts. We have no real size in the backs other than Lachie Anderson who’d be in the smaller half of the Blues backs. We don’t have much passing creativity either other than Lynagh. We do have way more workrate in the pack though the Blues have impact there.

I’m expecting contrasting game plans where we are through the middle all day and they spread it at every opportunity. Worried about Rieko, that absolute flog.

 

[zer0]

Wouldn’t surprise me based on the size of the Blues backline.

I think the Reds have picked a team to grind it out through the guts. We have no real size in the backs other than Lachie Anderson who’d be in the smaller half of the Blues backs. We don’t have much passing creativity either other than Lynagh. We do have way more workrate in the pack though the Blues have impact there.

I’m expecting contrasting game plans where we are through the middle all day and they spread it at every opportunity. Worried about Rieko, that absolute flog.

This is absolutely not the Cotter Blues. Vern-ball is power rugby straight down the middle. It won the title last year and has reversed this years performances since the bye, so I don't see any reason why he'd abandon it for this match.

 

[Sword of Justice]

This is absolutely not the Cotter Blues. Vern-ball is power rugby straight down the middle. It won the title last year and has reversed this years performances since the bye, so I don't see any reason why he'd abandon it for this match.

Sounds like it’s going to be pretty boring in that case and explains the workrate selections by Kiss.