Brumbies vs Reds, week 3 2011

[RugbyReg]

Hmm Hynes out. Lucas is the obvious candidate but I feel we need to wheel it back a bit and part of me thinks Mick Harris might be a good option there?

Chances of Rocket playing, I would've through slim. Maybe a simple positional switch for Chambers? Move him out to the wing?

Something like:

15 Lucas
14 Toua
13 Ioane
12 Fainga'a
11 Chambers
10 Cooper
9 Genia
8 Schatz
7 Gill
6 Higgers
5 Van
4 Simmons
3 Slipper
2 Hanson
1 Holmes

16 Fainga'a
17 Daley
18 McDuling
19 Robinson
20 Prior
21 Harris
22 Morahan

 

[I like to watch]

Digby at 13 could be the right move.

Then who will be hitting it up from the inside ball all day?QC (Quade Cooper) needs that option.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

Biggest prob from what I saw last 2 weeks with the reds is that this year QC (Quade Cooper) is directing the forwards more, and insisting on continuing one out phase play until he gets a ruck/ball speed/defensive line he likes, and with opposition the refs have played this has been their downfall. Last year if the ruck was won, genia was throwing the pill at QC (Quade Cooper) and he had to get something done with it.

Not sure why though. Is it him being a superstar flyhalf, or is he being told to only play on the front foot

 

[chriss555]

Colby deserves to start this week, at 6 for Chapman or at 7 I'm not fussed. Nic White should get a shot from the bench too.

Colby and Gill could be battle to watch if they are given the chance " both under 20 "

 

[RugbyReg]

Biggest prob from what I saw last 2 weeks with the reds is that this year QC (Quade Cooper) is directing the forwards more, and insisting on continuing one out phase play until he gets a ruck/ball speed/defensive line he likes, and with opposition the refs have played this has been their downfall. Last year if the ruck was won, genia was throwing the pill at QC (Quade Cooper) and he had to get something done with it.

Not sure why though. Is it him being a superstar flyhalf, or is he being told to only play on the front foot

I think that's it. And there should be no surprise there. Its game plan 101. However, our forwards have provided little momentum or impetus. It was evident last week, it was diabolically obvious this week. The thing is our most effective metre gainer, Ben Daley, is struggling at scrum time.

If Leroy and Higgers are going to continue to be considered to be in the backrow, they need to forget about passing for a while. Just head down and bum up charges. We need to be doing as Oliva Newton-John used to say. We seem rather soft at the moment. And last year, we bashed teams. We need more of that.

 

[Slim 293]

Kimlin in for Chapman... Fainga'a for Salvi...

Valentine might miss the game through injury so White is a chance of playing...

It's a shame because if I were the coach Phibbs would be the first player dumped...

To'omua into flyhalf NEEDS to happen... But it won't...

 

[Viking]

What is happening with Lealifano? Injured? when is he expected back?

 

[Brumbies Guy]

What is happening with Lealifano? Injured? when is he expected back?

Injured. From memory he was back running last week so possibly a few more weeks before he's back.

 

[dobduff11]

With Hynes out I would love to see Aidan play at 15 with Morahan, shipperley or situati on the other wing.

The guy guarantees you at least 2 line breaks a game, ridiculous footwork.

To'omua into 10 Gits to 12 and Coleman to the bench. Would love a MT RC 10 12 combo but Gits has sort of got to start being captain unless he wants to do a Kurt Gidley. MT had a hand in both of the try scoring oppurtunities for the Brumbies against the rebels and is a better 10 than Gits

 

[Slim 293]

With Hynes out I would love to see Aidan play at 15 with Morahan, shipperley or situati on the other wing.

The guy guarantees you at least 2 line breaks a game, ridiculous footwork.

To'omua into 10 Gits to 12 and Coleman to the bench. Would love a MT RC 10 12 combo but Gits has sort of got to start being captain unless he wants to do a Kurt Gidley. MT had a hand in both of the try scoring oppurtunities for the Brumbies against the rebels and is a better 10 than Gits

The Brumbies have the capabilitiese to possibly field a very good young exciting team next year as long as they can hang onto a few more experienced players like AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Chapman.

A backline featuring White, To'omua, Coleman, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Stubbs, A Smith and McCabe looks good... and no crabs...

 

[Brumby Jack]

A backline featuring White, To'omua, Coleman, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Stubbs, A Smith and McCabe looks good... and no crabs...

But won't happen in the near future.

 

[Slim 293]

But won't happen in the near future.

It won't happen this year... next year though with Giteau gone... and probably a new coach...

What I noticed in the Brumbies warmup is that Bernie spends a lot of time with To'omua... he's getting great tutelage... but he needs to start now...

 

[Slim 293]

Also, A Smith needs to come in for Speight who has been shite...

How is Stubbs going? Another very talented U20s and 7s player like Coleman...

 

[TheTruth]

Hmm Hynes out. Lucas is the obvious candidate but I feel we need to wheel it back a bit and part of me thinks Mick Harris might be a good option there?

Chances of Rocket playing, I would've through slim. Maybe a simple positional switch for Chambers? Move him out to the wing?

Something like:

15 Lucas
14 Toua
13 Ioane
12 Fainga'a
11 Chambers
10 Cooper
9 Genia
8 Schatz
7 Gill
6 Higgers
5 Van
4 Simmons
3 Slipper
2 Hanson
1 Holmes

16 Fainga'a
17 Daley
18 McDuling
19 Robinson
20 Prior
21 Harris
22 Morahan

RR - agree with most but jeez Gilly and not Robinson and think spot on for 1,2 and 3 although believe Link will perservere with Saaia at 2. Mcduling has evidently played very well in 2nd XV and with Horwill out (probable) should get a crack. Chambers must be on notice

 

[Gagger]

I am really liking the look of Big Ita. The third Finger also had a stormer with ball in hand

 

[Brumby Jack]

I am really liking the look of Big Ita. The third Finger also had a stormer with ball in hand

If only the middle finger had twitter so we could see the banter this week.

 

[tranquility]

I think Aidan should be the next option at fullback as he is clearly the next specialist, however if Link thinks that it is too early for the youngster he has to get one of the wing spots. He has already shown the linebreaking ability he has, and had he not fallen over it would have been very interesting to see what would have happened with his chip kick inside the tahs 22.

 

[spectator]

Schatz will be an almost definite starter this weekend, interesting to see which position. From what I have seen the last two games I'm thinking Higginbottom's best effect may be off the bench, in which case Houston to start at 8. and Schatz at 6 Quirk's injured isn't he? I also wonder what the physical toll on the props was on the weekend? Maybe if Sheperdson has a good game tonight he might come into the mix? Would like to see Holmes start this weekend, he has been impressive when on the field.

I don't think it's the time for too many wholesale changes. The Tah's performance the other night was so dominant, a few of the players were made to look worse than they are.

 

[Ruggo]

Cooper is just being marked more. Even on the occasions when we are getting clean ball the defence is onto him. It is so obvious that if you shut down Cooper, you shut the entire Reds backline. What I have seen of Harris, he has a good kicking game, holds his own in defence and offers what the Reds are lacking. I think he is very Barnes like in his play and that will be good for Cooper. Get Cooper out wider; give him a bit more space. If we can give him the flexibility to pop up in different parts of the field, defences will be back to having trouble shutting him down. The Wallabies used this tactic well and the Reds can do the same.

Working on the basis that Davies and Hynes are both out, I would look to shifting Anthony Fainga'a out to 13 and put Chambers on Davies wing. With an emphasis on getting Cooper wider, I don't think moving Digby in further is a good idea and would rather leave him with the versatility of a roving commission. Lucas to full back.

Attack is the easy part compared to defence. The problem without Hynes is that Coopers cover in defence is now absent. I don't think there is a Reds fan out there that is not frustrated at the complete turning of a blind eye to Coopers defence and this could be the week it really bites us on the arse. Just make him man up. Swap him and Harris if you must to lighten the load but make him stay in the front line.

 

[Jets]

My team for the weekend

1, Holmes
2, Hanson
3, Slipper
4, Simmons
5, Humphries
6, Higgers
7, Robinson
8, Shatz
9, Genia
10, Cooper
11, Toua
12, Fainga'a
13, Ioane
14, Morahan
15, Lucas

16, Fainga'a
17,Daley
18, McDuling
19, Houston
20, Gill
21, Harris
22, Chambers

Going with 5-2 split on the bench as Lucas can cover 9. I think Chambers needs to be used later in the game to build some confidence.
Having 2 backrowers on the bench enables them to react to how the game is going.