Bulls v Reds, Rd 9 Sunday 12 April 2015

[Hugh Jarse]

What is the strategy that the Reds are using to counter or reduce the effects of playing at altitude?

It used to be get up to altitude as soon as possible for as ling as possible, but lately some teams have just flown up on the day having adjusted body clocks to Sefrika time on the coast.

I have tipped the Bulls to win handsomely in my footytipping competition, so in the best traditions of my tipping jinx, it means that the Reds are in with a red hot chance of stuffing my tips up with an unexpected victory.

Have faith my Northern friends.

 

[gel]

I agree, @Scoey: we may or may not win this game.

 

[No4918]

I have zero expectations coming into this match but whether it's that damn eternally optimistic part of being a Reds supporter or just an indication that I have finally gone Rugby insane I don't know but I can't shake the mindset that it's not beyond us to win this one. Go figure.

Definitely the latter.

 

[Brumby Jack]

What is the strategy that the Reds are using to counter or reduce the effects of playing at altitude?

Train in Johannesburg all week

 

[Scrubber2050]

Train in Johannesburg all week

Reckon Hunt might have a suggestion or two

 

[Wilson]

Team is up:

St.George Queensland Reds to play Bulls in Pretoria
1. James Slipper
2. Saia Fainga’a
3. Greg Holmes
4. Dave McDuling
5. Rob Simmons
6. Curtis Browning
7. Liam Gill
8. Adam Thomson
9. Will Genia
10. Nick Frisby
11. Chris Feauai-Sautia
12. Anthony Fainga’a
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Lachie Turner
15. Karmichael Hunt

16. James Hanson
17. Ben Daley
18. Sef Faagase
19. Marco Kotze
20. Tom Murday
21. Adam Korczyk (potential debut)
22. Ben Tapuai
23. Chris Kuridrani

http://www.redsrugby.com.au/News/Ne...land-Reds-team-to-play-Bulls-in-Pretoria.aspx

 

[diomac]

What the go with JOC (James O'Connor)? Why is he not playing? I really wish it was Tuttle at 10 and Frisby as 9 with Genia off the bench. Really looking forward to seeing Thomson at 8, imo he should have been there ages ago.

 

[No4918]

What the go with JOC (James O'Connor)? Why is he not playing? I really wish it was Tuttle at 10 and Frisby as 9 with Genia off the bench. Really looking forward to seeing Thomson at 8, imo he should have been there ages ago.

Injured. Think it is hammy.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Injured. Think it is hammy.

Groin strain

 

[The Red Baron]

I agree, @Scoey: we may or may not win this game.

Is this like a Schrödinger's cat type of situation? The win exists in two states until we observe it?

 

[Scoey]

Is this like a Schrödinger's cat type of situation? The win exists in two states until we observe it?

Except instead of Erwin Schrödinger we have Richard Graham and instead of a both dead and alive cat we have ..... erm ..... I don't actually know what we have.

 

[Ash]

Having out and out two locks on the bench is a bit weird.

They must expect Simmons to definitely not last the 80 minutes, sure, but McDuling should be able to?

Would've preferred to have had Thomson at 6 and Browning at 8, which, you know, I think are actually their positions. Only thing I can think of is that they think that Thomson is better at controlling the ball at the back of the scrum.

Aside from the issue at 10, not a bad team all things considered. The issues unfortunately lie deeper and it's why I expect a hiding by 25 to 30 at least.

 

[The Red Baron]

Except instead of Erwin Schrödinger we have Richard Graham and instead of a both dead and alive cat we have ... erm ... I don't actually know what we have.

We have a season that exists in two states until we miss the finals.

 

[gel]

6. Curtis Browning
8. Adam Thomson

:S Seems a bit odd. Maybe it doesn't mean a lot really in terms of where they will play on the field though.

*edit* oops, just read @Ash post which said sorta the same thing - so I agree with him.

 

[cyclopath]

Except instead of Erwin Schrödinger we have Richard Graham and instead of a both dead and alive cat we have ... erm ... I don't actually know what we have.

A box full of cat turds?
Sorry.

 

[ChargerWA]

Except instead of Erwin Schrödinger we have Richard Graham and instead of a both dead and alive cat we have ... erm ... I don't actually know what we have.

 

[RedsHappy]

Surely one of the most interesting aspects of this match will be our conclusions re the visible contributions and skills of KH after 80 mins vs tough competition in, for him, strange surrounds and where the ball travels far further for the 15.

We've seen KH cameos and a poor contribution in Rd 1, now the next moment of assessment arises when the Reds are under real pressure. So far the QRU's ROI on this player has tested the bottom of the scale, let's hope the needle points upwards after Sunday.

 

[biggsy]

What is the strategy that the Reds are using to counter or reduce the effects of playing at altitude?

STRATEGY! If they even have one its not going to fucken work if the past 2 seasons are anything to go by.


On the game

Be the 1st time in a long time I will not be setting the alarm to get up and watch a saffa tour game live.
I have NO desire and interest in watching a live game from this team at the moment.
I'm expecting the Reds to get a flogging or manage to lose in last minutes of the game. The 2 things that they are consistent of this season and last

Gill,Slipper and AT to be best on feild for the Reds

 

[Scoey]

Yep same here Biggsy. It will be the first time in a long time that I won't be getting up early for the game.

 

[Scoey]

Just looking at the team sheet and that is the strongest forward pack that we can field. The backline is no slouch either. If not for injuries I would swap JOC (James O'Connor) for Feauia-Sautia and Cooper for Frisby but that's about it. This is what is so alarming. Without our well deserved reputation that we carry this season, a lot of teams would be very concerned coming up against that team.
Some of the headlines on SA Rugby websites though are pretty damning, "Bulls Must Batter Rubbish Reds" is one of them. Fair to say, they aren't too worried at all about facing us. If headlines like that don't get the guys amped up, nothing will.