Brumbies v Reds Rd 14 Sat 17th May @ GIO Stadium 7.35pm AEST

[Aussie D]

Very good game to watch, especially as a Wallabies fan. It was a game where the capped players really stood out, there was a distinct difference in class between some of the players:

- Ikitau was impervious, dunno why the Reds ever run it at him, not going to get any change.
- Valetini and McReight put in their usual incredible games.
- Ala'alatoa is in great vintage.
- Pollard was really strong in contact, more punch than I realise.
- Wright looked more assured.
- McDermott and Daugunu were always threatening.

On the negative, Paisami can’t be Wallabies centre. He’s too lightweight. Also Campbell had a bit of a ‘mare.

I was impressed by the Reds handling in their backline, rarely grassed it doing some complicated stuff with a lot of new people. Looked slick, shame didn’t get more rewards. Kudos to the Brumbies defence.

You can see how important Canham is to the Reds too, almost a 2nd receiver at times.

The reds have some seriously talented young props on their hands in Nonggorr and De Lutiis. Really promising.

and Anderson had a surprisingly good game, didn’t know he was so good in their air.

Agree with that, thought Ryan Smith had a good game too, nothing flashy (not his style) but a lot of work supporting the ball carrier, tackling and hitting rucks. Had a couple of spilt pills though which blotted his copybook.

If 7As (Allan Ala'alatoa) is injured the Wallabies will be in a world of trouble. TT is only good for 10 - 15 minutes, Maximus was injured in the game v Brumbies (not sure how bad), Dr Tom has struggled in the scrum for the Force. Scrabble is much improved for the Reds and the remaining props are Dan Botha and No Nek.

 

[Slim 293]

Anyways, hard to imagine Brumbies are top of the table, albeit for this week...

A bit of "what if" had they not dropped a couple of games earlier in the year, and there's still a sloppiness about them...

But their defence has definitely tightened up in recent weeks.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Was hoping Reds would do CruSadists a favour but not to be. Does make Week 16 a tad more spicy, but.

 

[PhilClinton]

Not much to say except the Reds simply not good enough.

Paisami didn’t have his best game. Tbh he seemed to be doing too much with a lot of ineffective work. Get the feeling he was asked to take the ball forward more to assist HMP.

Same goes for Campbell. He should be called out for an average game but again I feel like if Lynagh played he wouldn’t have overplayed his hand as much.

 

[griffins]

Not much to say except the Reds simply not good enough.

Paisami didn’t have his best game. Tbh he seemed to be doing too much with a lot of ineffective work. Get the feeling he was asked to take the ball forward more to assist HMP.

Same goes for Campbell. He should be called out for an average game but again I feel like if Lynagh played he wouldn’t have overplayed his hand as much.

Paisami rarely passes the ball, last night wasn't a one off. The little show and go is his pet play. Unfortunately it is totally ineffective against decent defences.

 

[PhilClinton]

Paisami rarely passes the ball, last night wasn't a one off. The little show and go is his pet play. Unfortunately it is totally ineffective against decent defences.

I feel that’s a bit overly critical of him. The Reds backline didn’t have much happening in terms of fluidity in my opinion, the crash ball show and go is pretty much what 95% of players would do in those situations.

Generally though I do agree that Paisami isn’t going to light the world on fire with his abilities, he’s always played as a bit of a Kerevi Lite and done a decent job though.

 

[Rudderless]

 

[griffins]

I feel that’s a bit overly critical of him. The Reds backline didn’t have much happening in terms of fluidity in my opinion, the crash ball show and go is pretty much what 95% of players would do in those situations.

Generally though I do agree that Paisami isn’t going to light the world on fire with his abilities, he’s always played as a bit of a Kerevi Lite and done a decent job though.

Tries his guts out and plays above his weight no doubt.

 

[Dctarget]

I feel that’s a bit overly critical of him. The Reds backline didn’t have much happening in terms of fluidity in my opinion, the crash ball show and go is pretty much what 95% of players would do in those situations.

Generally though I do agree that Paisami isn’t going to light the world on fire with his abilities, he’s always played as a bit of a Kerevi Lite and done a decent job though.

I don’t think so, I thought the reds had really good fluidity, they did a great move a few times where it skipped Paisami and ended with Anderson who made really decent inroads.

 

[PhilClinton]

I don’t think so, I thought the reds had really good fluidity, they did a great move a few times where it skipped Paisami and ended with Anderson who made really decent inroads.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

I think the Reds usually play a very simple direct gameplan with Lynagh keeping the team to its basic structure.

When he doesn’t play, the team seems to try and diversify that role and so far I don’t believe they’ve won a game this season.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Paisami not passing enough isn’t all on him. Pakeho in previous weeks has played like that so it’s a directive from the coaches.

Reds are taking a hit up then trying to start the phases rolling forward. Has been effective against lower ladder sides as they don’t hold out but predictable still. Good sides know what’s coming. Lonergan was flying out of the line every time to pressure the 10s pass and Brums Centres meeting the Reds for a loss or forcing the out ball which looked chaotic.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Paisami not passing enough isn’t all on him. Pakeho in previous weeks has played like that so it’s a directive from the coaches.

Reda are taking a hit up then trying to start the phases rolling forward. Has been effective against lower ladder sides as they don’t hold out but predictable still. Good sides know what’s coming. Lonergan was flying out of the line every time to pressure the 10s pass and Brums Centres meeting the Reds for a loss or forcing the out ball which looked chaotic.

Yeah this game plan will not work against better defences without an effective kicking game. Real attacking kicks that peg defenders back.

 

[Ignoto]

I don't think the backs were helped by HMP planting both feet each time he distributed the ball. Lynagh normally hits the ball with pace. Coupled with Little Lonergen constantly shooting up, it was begging for HMP to be doing some chips over the rushing back line.

I actually think Dre is better suited at 12 than Hunter. The deftness in Dres footwork constantly makes the defence second guess.

 

[Aussie D]

I feel that’s a bit overly critical of him. The Reds backline didn’t have much happening in terms of fluidity in my opinion, the crash ball show and go is pretty much what 95% of players would do in those situations.

Generally though I do agree that Paisami isn’t going to light the world on fire with his abilities, he’s always played as a bit of a Kerevi Lite and done a decent job though.

Reds are desperately missing Josh Flook. He makes a huge difference to their backline. Very similar to what Conrad Smith did for the All Blacks

 

[Swandive]

Can't believe Declan Meredith is 25. Late developer? He had an excellent game. Runs at the line at speed and not afraid to get tackled like a few other standoffs in Australia. Nice boot as well. I'd add him to the Oz squad for development. Wacko idea? Maybe. What would i know ..... I used to think Mac Hansen would be a fantastic Brumbie standoff one day after seeing him play in the position (maybe for the runners???) a few years back now.

 

[TSR]

I'd add him to the Oz squad for development.

Lol - we are nothing if not predictable.

 

[fatprop]

I thought it was a high quality game won by the benches, the starters were pretty even, both nullifying eachother, but the Reds replacements were less functional than the ponies

 

[cyclopath]

Few of you need to pull your collective heads in. Some pretty unedifying posting in this thread.
Lucky a few of you aren't sitting it out for a while.

 

[whitefalcon]

Can't believe Declan Meredith is 25. Late developer? He had an excellent game. Runs at the line at speed and not afraid to get tackled like a few other standoffs in Australia. Nice boot as well. I'd add him to the Oz squad for development. Wacko idea? Maybe. What would i know ..... I used to think Mac Hansen would be a fantastic Brumbie standoff one day after seeing him play in the position (maybe for the runners???) a few years back now.

Next year will be telling for Meredith.

He could play himself into the wallabies for sure, but I don't think that year is this year

 

[Hogan]

I don't think the backs were helped by HMP planting both feet each time he distributed the ball. Lynagh normally hits the ball with pace. Coupled with Little Lonergen constantly shooting up, it was begging for HMP to be doing some chips over the rushing back line.

I actually think Dre is better suited at 12 than Hunter. The deftness in Dres footwork constantly makes the defence second guess.

Many of HMP’s passes were behind or at the shoulder of his support players. As a result, the momentum of some of the Reds attacking plays were halted.