2011 Rnd 1 Reds v Force

[Bowside]

I think the reds played a lot better when Horwill moved to the second row. Higgers should have started in this game due to his speed around the park, I would have started Robinson or maybe Gill as well and the reds badly needed that x-factor at the breakdown to pilfer some more ball. Maybe this is all part of links masterplan, jury is still out....

Genia hasn't been at his best since mid way through last seasons super 14. He was up there with FdP as the best in the world then, now not even close. He's looking like he has bulked up a bit to much and it has affected his running game. Then again it is hard to look good when your packs not going forward.

Chambers looks out of touch, needs to find some form. He also looked a bit smaller? maybe that was just my tv....

 

[tranquility]

Aidan Toua is rapid.

Thought JOC (James O'Connor) was quality apart from the kick out on the full, he looked shattered after his run.

Quade was pretty average with some poor decisions. Rod davies showed some steel in defence I havent seen before. Hynes was dominant in defence on a lot of occasions but I'd like to see Toua given a run at 15

I am one of Aidan's biggest fans, but he actually not the fast compared to a Rod Davies or Mitchell Felsman (in the academy) he just has a real knack for a hole, and exploits space very very well.

 

[tranquility]

A great effort from the Force and the "might-have-beens" will be buzzing out west.

Was very disappointed in Chambers, with and without the ball.

I see a case for Toua starting on the wing next week and Diggers to 13.

And they have only 6 days before the Tahs game and the Tahs have two extra days rest.

I have watched Chambers since he was in school, and while a good footballer and a great athlete I don't think he will ever truly rival Rob Horne for the Wallaby jersey as has been suggested previously. Although I do rate Rob Horne as a potential Wallaby great.

 

[tranquility]

The pack for next week - should be as suggested by another poster.

Holmes, Finger, Slipper
kev, simmonds
higgers, leroy, beau

Quirky as the dogsbody on the bench,
Daly should get another chance as he is made of the right stuff.
Radike might also be a good bench option next week if he is fit

 

[dobduff11]

Well Rod is obviously unbelievably rapid, I don't know Mitch Felsman.

Aidan caught up with JOC (James O'Connor) pretty quick though was impressive. A finger and someone else had no chance of catching him

 

[fatprop]

The Reds need to get some balance in the forwards (Horwill is as much a 6 as Mumm) they also needed a fetcher; and to work out a better option with Cooper.

Sticking Cooper at 15 may hide him in defense, but it also hides him from the first phase of any counter attack - which is where he is most dangerous

 

[Moses]

I missed this game as my Foxtel has been down for 24 hours and counting very irritating as the only reason I have it is to watch rugby!

Safe to assume from the comments that the First XV were well entertained, perhaps qld rugby could arrange a group purchase of LPG refills for 24th June

 

[TheTruth]

The pack for next week - should be as suggested by another poster.

Holmes, Finger, Slipper
kev, simmonds
higgers, leroy, beau

Quirky as the dogsbody on the bench,
Daly should get another chance as he is made of the right stuff.
Radike might also be a good bench option next week if he is fit

Holmes made a big difference at LHP when he came on for Daley. Chambers has to be at risk as well. He dropped a 7 pointer and it was a sitter. Game was very uninspiring but add Chambers mucked up 7 and JOC (James O'Connor) try against run of play and the score should have been a difference of about 14 or 15. Higgers must be in side against Tahs

 

[Scotty]

Not to mention Chambers missed tackle that should have led to a Force try if it wasn't for Horwill. Chambers had an absolute shocker.

Surprised also that people are saying Higgers made a real difference. He might have been quicker to rucks, but he did lose the ball twice in his 20 minutes on the field. Not a good average. Houston was also very poor.

I might be inclined to keep Horwill at 6, but bring Schatz and Robinson into the back row for more balance.

Holmes Fa'ainga Slipper
Simmons Humphries
Horwill Robinson Schatz

Tempted to go with Lee's suggestion of Ioane in for Chambers and another winger, but would probably give Chambers another shot this weekend.

 

[Groucho]

Hmm where to start with this tripe.

Why don't you educate us as to which part of the Reds team is lacking in quality. Horwell? Higginbotham? Simmons? Van Humphries? Genia? Cooper? Digby? Hynes? The Fiangia boys? etc?

The Force played out of their skins. The Reds played like crap. The Reds were still good enough to win. That says it all.

Next game please.

Nervous, tic?

 

[RugbyReg]

The Reds need to get some balance in the forwards (Horwill is as much a 6 as Mumm) they also needed a fetcher; and to work out a better option with Cooper.

Sticking Cooper at 15 may hide him in defense, but it also hides him from the first phase of any counter attack - which is where he is most dangerous

disagree, I think that's where he is least dangerous. First phase from counter, I assume from turn over? Just shift the ball wide.

He's most dangerous from phase play where his team have gone forward and he finds forwards in the backline; from counter attack from the back from an opposition kick. And he's pretty bloody dangerous from first phase.

But from turn over? Meh, not too fussed.

 

[Burke's Boot]

The Reds really miss Braid and if the Force keep this up it is clear that they stopped playing for Mitchell a long time ago.

 

[The Mayor of Perth]

Why don't you educate us as to which part of the Reds team is lacking in quality. Horwell? Higginbotham? Simmons? Van Humphries? Genia? Cooper? Digby? Hynes? The Fiangia boys? etc?

The Force played out of their skins. The Reds played like crap. The Reds were still good enough to win. That says it all.

Sure. Reds have genuine quality in Slipper, Horwill, Genia, Cooper and Ioane. Why didn't Higgers start? Davies has potential, Fainga'a twins and Simmons have a long way to go, Hynes needs to find some consistency...and you can't be serious about Humphries??? I don't think they deserve the press they're getting after one under-the-radar season.

The Force didn't play out of their skin; they do have Sharpe, the best four back rowers as a group, O'Connor and the very serviceable Sheehan who all played as expected. Without Ripia at 10, the centres are/were ordinary and the back three played below expectations.

 

[Jets]

I was really impressed with the Force. I wasn't expecting much from them but they proved that they could cause some upsets this year.

Phil Blake has done an outstanding job with the defence. Happy to say I was wrong and I just hope that they keep up this style of play for the remainder of the season.

Reds lucky to win. Quade was shocking and I don't think he will play that badly again.

 

[Waylon]

I was really impressed with the Force. I wasn't expecting much from them but they proved that they could cause some upsets this year.

Phil Blake has done an outstanding job with the defence. Happy to say I was wrong and I just hope that they keep up this style of play for the remainder of the season.

Reds lucky to win. Quade was shocking and I don't think he will play that badly again.

Quade was ordinary because Pocock haunted and hunted him as did the rest of a very polished Force backrow performance. They shut him down but he always has menace with ball in hand. I don't think he played badly at all he just wasn't presented with options to open up the Force defence. The defensive effort was first class.
In the west, we don't consider wins as "upsets". We genuinely thought we'd win that fixture and the playing group and fans are filthy it slipped away

 

[spectator]

Phew, the Reds dodged a bullet there!

Commiserations to the Force. Inspirational skipper, swift backrow, good defence, spoiling tactics, and a brilliant performance from JOC (James O'Connor) almost got them across the line They'll be gutted, as were the Reds last year against the Tah's, but I hope they take that committment into their other games. If so they will win many more than they will lose.

As for the Reds...I said in an earlier post that I hoped that they weren't reading their own press. I think a number of them need to refocus on rugby and stop believing half the stuff they are reading on forums and in the media. That was a disappointing performance that lacked cohesion and true grit. The rookies that played showed more determination and hunger than a number of the headline acts. Hopefully the last minute escape is a wake up call as they are capable of much better. For mine, a focus on attitude should be Links primary message this week.

I don't envisage any real changes for the next game. Chambers will be smarting from the criticism he gets for yesterdays efforts so I expect him to play with much more application next week. Someone mentioned bench..maybe not a bad idea as he would make a massive impact with fresh legs towards the end of the game. Holmes and Robinson starting should be a consideration. Holmes was impressive when he came on, and Robinson will not only provide experience, but he will have a massive point to prove. That's not taking anything away from Quirk, who played himself to a standstill yesterday, but coming off the bench he may have good impact. I also wonder whether Jake Schatz will come into selection calculations as an 8?

Sounds negative I know, I was just hoping for more, but hell, a wins a win. Bank the points Reds and move on.

 

[spectator]

disagree, I think that's where he is least dangerous. First phase from counter, I assume from turn over? Just shift the ball wide.

He's most dangerous from phase play where his team have gone forward and he finds forwards in the backline; from counter attack from the back from an opposition kick. And he's pretty bloody dangerous from first phase.

But from turn over? Meh, not too fussed.

Have to go with Fatprop here Reg. Any counter attack with Cooper driving it is potentially lethal, and his quick feet and pass are absolute weapons against a flat footed defence. The bloke just needs to man up in defence.

 

[Scotty]

disagree, I think that's where he is least dangerous. First phase from counter, I assume from turn over? Just shift the ball wide.

He's most dangerous from phase play where his team have gone forward and he finds forwards in the backline; from counter attack from the back from an opposition kick. And he's pretty bloody dangerous from first phase.

But from turn over? Meh, not too fussed.

In fact you could argue that he has the better ability to release his faster outside backs with his long passing game on a counter attack from a kick, than on a counter from a ruck/tackle turnover.

 

[Ruggo]

We looked to be exposed in lacking a second playmaker. It is not going to get any easier for Cooper with every backrower in the comp that will be gunning for him. I don't know about dropping Chambers after one bad game but it is an option. Digby to ouside centre, Hynes onto that wing and Lucas to full back. The other option is to play Quade a bit wider occaisionally at second reciever to give him a bit more time and space.

Waugh is going to be licking his lips after yesterday if we don't reinvent the wheel a bit this week.

The Reds need to use the pick and drive more and when they did they looked better.

 

[Jets]

Quade was ordinary because Pocock haunted and hunted him as did the rest of a very polished Force backrow performance. They shut him down but he always has menace with ball in hand. I don't think he played badly at all he just wasn't presented with options to open up the Force defence. The defensive effort was first class.
In the west, we don't consider wins as "upsets". We genuinely thought we'd win that fixture and the playing group and fans are filthy it slipped away

That wasn't what I meant. I think the Force will win a few games but in games where they are up against one of the top teams, like the Bulls and Crusaders, if they keep up this form they are a good chance of "upsetting" them.