Canes defeated Reds thread (getting in early)

[RugbyReg]

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/barnes-horwill-back-for-reds-20090511-b01k.html

The Queensland Reds will get two of their big guns back when they host the dangerous Hurricanes in their final Super 14 match of the season on Saturday.

Captain James Horwill today said he was almost over a foot injury, while playmaker Berrick Barnes has overcome a groin strain suffered during a warm-up against the Brumbies.

Horwill said he feared the worst as he re-injured the foot that kept him sidelined for the first half of the season but is now confident of being fit for the Hurricanes, a side many predict will be there when the whips are cracking for the Super 14 silverware.

"I hopefully should be right. I'll run today but I'm pretty confident I should be right to play. The foot's feeling good," Horwill said.

Barnes said he was happy with the progress of his groin injury and was every chance of taking the field at Suncorp Stadium.

"I've missed the last two weeks with a groin injury. But I should be right this week. I can't see any reason why not," he said.

The return of the two influential leaders will be a huge boost to the Reds, who face a mammoth task to knock over the Hurricanes and will still be missing a host of regular starters.

Digby Ioane (shoulder), Peter Hynes (knee), Ezra Taylor (knee) won't be available, while fullback Mark McLinden (knee) remains touch and go.

 

[Scarfman]

Believe it or not, I'm coming up to the Sunshine State to watch this. Well, more to see my father and brother, but also to take the pulse of QLD rugby in the flesh.

I should be able to have a quick couple of XXXX if you guys are going.

 

[Mainlander]

Believe it or not, I'm coming up to the Sunshine State to watch this. Well, more to see my father and brother, but also to take the pulse of QLD rugby in the flesh.

I should be able to have a quick couple of XXXX if you guys are going.

I'm not going to the game despite being in Brisbane this weekend but might be tempted to join you for a few drinks.

The reason I'm not going to the game is I'm a Jinks. When I go to Reds/Any NZ team (except the Highlanders) they (the NZ team) lose. Fortunately this hasn't spread to Canberra (well not for the Cannes and Sadders anyway, still have yet to see a chief or Blues win there.) I deliberately did not go to the only Simi in Brisbane a few years ago when the top of the table Reds lost to the 4th place Sadders because I knew if I went the Sadders would have lost.

 

[cyclopath]

Believe it or not, I'm coming up to the Sunshine State to watch this. Well, more to see my father and brother, but also to take the pulse of QLD rugby in the flesh.

I should be able to have a quick couple of XXXX if you guys are going.

I'm not going to the game despite being in Brisbane this weekend but might be tempted to join you for a few drinks.

The reason I'm not going to the game is I'm a Jinks. When I go to Reds/Any NZ team (except the Highlanders) they (the NZ team) lose. Fortunately this hasn't spread to Canberra (well not for the Cannes and Sadders anyway, still have yet to see a chief or Blues win there.) I deliberately did not go to the only Simi in Brisbane a few years ago when the top of the table Reds lost to the 4th place Sadders because I knew if I went the Sadders would have lost.

If the jinx works elsewhere, can you come to Sydney for some games next year - Tahs need all the help they can get!

 

[Mainlander]

Believe it or not, I'm coming up to the Sunshine State to watch this. Well, more to see my father and brother, but also to take the pulse of QLD rugby in the flesh.

I should be able to have a quick couple of XXXX if you guys are going.

I'm not going to the game despite being in Brisbane this weekend but might be tempted to join you for a few drinks.

The reason I'm not going to the game is I'm a Jinks. When I go to Reds/Any NZ team (except the Highlanders) they (the NZ team) lose. Fortunately this hasn't spread to Canberra (well not for the Cannes and Sadders anyway, still have yet to see a chief or Blues win there.) I deliberately did not go to the only Simi in Brisbane a few years ago when the top of the table Reds lost to the 4th place Sadders because I knew if I went the Sadders would have lost.

If the jinx works elsewhere, can you come to Sydney for some games next year - Tahs need all the help they can get!

Doesn't work in Sydney.... At least I don't think so, only been there for Wannabe AB games and the ABs have won every time.... mind you it's only been 2 games (over 11 odd years). Have yet to go to an AB Convict game in Brisbane or funny enough Canberra.

Although the Convicts have been winning more than I'd like and they used to since I moved over here.

 

[RugbyReg]

I am boycotting the Reds and you all should too. That don't deserve our money. Perhaps then they will banrupt themselves (ala NSW) and then the ARU will take over (ala NSW) and we can rule the rugby provincial world (ummmmm, like the Crusaders)

 

[Biffo]

Bring back Crofty!

Nod, you a Tah man now? :lmao:

 

[Gagger]

Fahark me but the Reds actually winning would sure make the table interesting........

 

[Scotty]

Believe it or not, I'm coming up to the Sunshine State to watch this. Well, more to see my father and brother, but also to take the pulse of QLD rugby in the flesh.

Can you take the pulse of something that has rigamortis?

I am boycotting the Reds and you all should too. That don't deserve our money.

I agree with Noddy. After the Brumbies game we were all saying that the players (except maybe genia) should have there weekly pay handed to the fans as some compensation.

 

[Biffo]

After the Brumbies game we were all saying that the players (except maybe genia) should have there weekly pay handed to the fans as some compensation.

Why bother? Just don't attend and keep your money.

 

[RugbyReg]

agreed Biffo.

Although Berrick almost turned me around with his statements, but no, I need to make a stand.

And besides, Berrick also makes this statement in another article.

Berrick Barnes, poised to return to the Queensland side along with captain James Horwill for the match with the Hurricanes at Suncorp Stadium, said it was time for the Reds to realise near enough is not good enough.

The gifted 22-year-old playmaker, forced out of the Reds' last two losses to the Brumbies and Crusaders because of a groin strain after having steered them to a stunning victory over the Blues in Albany, admitted he had not made the switch from rugby league in order to play in a side that has become Super 14 cannon fodder.

"We can't accept mediocrity - and that's got to get through the entire organisation," Barnes said.

"Just being average and getting close to other teams isn't good enough."

Barnes is one of the few Reds players with the moral authority to talk in this fashion because he has never clocked off this season, never stopped giving of his best - which is good enough, in the opinion of Wallabies great Tim Horan, for Australians not to worry should any injury befall Test five-eighth Matt Giteau.

"It hasn't been fun," said Barnes of his mostly downhill ride on the Reds' roller-coaster since he converted to rugby from the Brisbane Broncos four seasons ago.

"My sole goal in coming over was to play for the Reds and to try to help the team be strong. I've failed miserably in that respect. But you can't do anything individually, you need a team.

"You need the organisation going smoothly and in the one direction. Finally now, we've got some stability. Even though we haven't had great results, we finally now have a style of play. The last few years we haven't even had that."

Now, he said, it was desperately important for the Reds to keep its young team intact - which made it mildly ironic when he urged Digby Ioane and Hugh McMeniman to keep the faith and re-sign when he himself hasn't formally recommitted to Queensland.

"I've got a bit of work to go yet," Barnes said.

"I want to stay but nothing is a foregone conclusion."

Still, Reds officials have every reason to be confident of him putting pen to paper after Saturday's season-ending game against the Hurricanes.

He indicated he was not interested for the moment in grabbing the big money offers from Europe - "they're not going to go away soon" - and, as much as he loves rugby league and the Broncos, he won't be going back.

"I've started something now and I feel in my fourth year that I'm making improvements consistently and I'm starting to understand the game a bit better. I'm 22, going on 23, but I'm still one of the older blokes. You've got to take on that role. Whether I've been doing it well, I don't know.

"I'd like to still be here when things turn around for the Reds. But I don't want to be 32 when it happens."

It seems like he is making some very pointed comments at the QRU there.

Regardless, I am not accepting mediocrity. So won't be going Saturday.

 

[Scotty]

Why bother? Just don't attend and keep your money.

Don't worry, I won't be anywhere near there.

 

[Blue]

Fahark me but the Reds actually winning would sure make the table interesting........

I am praying for that all week.

More unlikely things have happened in the past like, like....like........ :nta:

 

[Biffo]

Fahark me but the Reds actually winning would sure make the table interesting........

I am praying for that all week.

More unlikely things have happened in the past like, like....like........ :nta:

Reds knocking over the Shorks
Cheaters knocking over the Shorks

 

[Gagger]

Fahark me but the Reds actually winning would sure make the table interesting........

I am praying for that all week.

More unlikely things have happened in the past like, like....like........ :nta:

Reds knocking over the Shorks
Cheaters knocking over the Shorks

Exactamundo.

Reds at home, written off. Sounds familiar.

Throw in a dash of dumb 'Canes choking and KABLAM.

We're all happy

 

[RugbyReg]

QR Reds captain James Horwill, playmaker Berrick Barnes and fullback Mark McLinden have been named to return from injury to play semi-final contenders the Hurricanes in the final Investec Super 14 round at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday (kickoff 7.30pm)



Head Coach Phil Mooney selected the trio in the expectation that they would complete the team training session tonight, however he's bracketed two players at openside flanker - Poutasi Luafutu and Andrew Shaw - pending a fitness test on Luafutu (broken hand).

"Tasi is keen to play and he wants to test out a new hand guard he's had fitted to see if that gives him better use of his hand than he had last week, but we'll see how that goes in training," Mooney said.

"James (foot), Berrick (groin) and Mark (knee) should all be ok."

As expected, backrow Ezra Taylor has also overcome a sore knee to be selected at blindside flanker.

In naming his side, Mooney has formalised the positional switch of Barnes and Quade Cooper at flyhalf and inside centre respectively and named young scrumhalf Richard Kingi on the bench as backup to Ben Lucas, after losing Brendan McKibbin to foot surgery.

Ben Daley keeps his grip on the loosehead prop position after another enthusiastic performance last weekend, keeping Wallaby loosehead Greg Holmes on the bench.

The team is (from fullback): Mark McLinden, Brando Va?aulu, Charlie Fetoai, Quade Cooper, Rod Davies, Berrick Barnes, Ben Lucas, Leroy Houston, Poutasi Luafutu/Andrew Shaw, Ezra Taylor, James Horwill (c), Van Humphries, Laurie Weeks, Sean Hardman, Ben Daley. Reserves: Saia Fainga'a, Greg Holmes, Adam Byrnes, Scott Higginbotham, Richard Kingi, Anthony Fainga'a, Anthony Sauer.

meh...

 

[Newb]

interesting with Barnes in at 10 and Quoooade shifting to 12. might just come off. there has been some talk around that going to 12 will allow Cooper to play more freely without having to use his noggin so much a la Kurtley. nice to have Barnes in at 1st receiver where he ended up sometimes anyways while Quade was out farking off as he does....

 

[Mainlander]

Believe it or not, I'm coming up to the Sunshine State to watch this. Well, more to see my father and brother, but also to take the pulse of QLD rugby in the flesh.

I should be able to have a quick couple of XXXX if you guys are going.

Pathetic ??

Am I the only one looking at having a beer with Scarfee......

Hell I'm even seriously considering going to the game.... If this game doesn't break the Jinks nothing will.

 

[spectator]

Well, a brave effort from a seriously undermanned Reds. They went within a whisker of securing the second bonus point right at the death, and showed some real heart. I thought the Canes were going to put on 50+ to not much after the first ten, so the scoreline in the end was a credit to the Reds.

The Canes will need to fix up their defence if they are going to go any further but gee they play an attractive brand of attacking rugby. Some big and fast boys there. Smith on the wing is an absolute tank!

For the Reds I thought Houston was outstanding. Can't really work out why he looks to carry so much weight but can see why coaches over the years have backed him. With ball in hand (needs to improve his security) he is very good. Andrew Shaw showed promise as did Kingi when he came on. Strong little bugger for a sub 80k player. I also thought it was Brando Vaalu's best game for a long time. Not just a runaway try but he did a number of good tackles and ran the ball up well.

On other threads I see debate over who the Aussie captain should be. In my mind, Barnes without a doubt, and he should be the Reds skipper as well. He really is quite inspirational.

 

[Scarfman]

For the Reds,

3 Barnes
2 Houston
1 Horwill

Plus I'd give a point to Higginbatty for being excellent in the 3 minutes he played, and subtract about 5 points from Mooney for playing some club players ahead of him.

The scoreline flatters QLD, it was men against boys stuff, and the 'Canes could score at will. Huge holes in midfield which weren't Berrick's fault. No loosies in there plus terrible realignment from the backs.

I don't mean to kick a man in the nuts when he's on the ground (I'm no Bakkies) but it was a fairly awful display from the Reds. Absolutely tragic. As Berrick sayid, it needs to start in the boardroom and things might get better from there. They really need to clear out the galahs, and beg Brett Robinson (or similar) to come back. No point having a corporate guy in there if he can't get the corporates to come to the party.