Canes v Reds @ TheCakeTin

[Jets]

Yeah I've never understood the man love coaches seem to have for Daley. Not sure he adds anything to the team and actually takes away from a possible strength at scrum time, playing into the Canes hands in my view.

I'm also glad Davies is benched. While he may have had a good game stats wise last time he cant fulfil his basic function of getting the ball over the line.

I'm also a bit disappointed in how Quade's going. In 2011 he took total control of the backline and organised everything. I haven't really seen that from him this year and the amount of times the backline is missing or just standing flat is driving me insane. It makes it easy to defend when you know the opposition backline isn't set and the only option is for the forward to hit it up.

If we can cut out some of the penalties early on and stick it to the Canes I think we're a good chance in this one. I think a few tweaks could make all the difference.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Hurricanes, Hurricanes

1. Ben Franks
2. Dane Coles
3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
4. Jeremy Thrush
5. James Broadhurst
6. Faifili Levave
7. Jack Lam
8. Victor Vito
9. TJ Perenara
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Julian Savea
12. Alapati Leiua
13. Conrad Smith (c)
14. Cory Jane
15. Andre Taylor

Reserves
16. Motu Matu’u
17. Chris Eves
18. Reggie Goodes
19. Blade Thomson
20. Ardie Savea
21. Chris Smylie
22. Tim Bateman
23. Matt Proctor

 

[Brumby Runner]

Can't see the Reds getting up in this one (there that should mean they win by 7+). Seriously, the Canes have a backline that will score plenty of points against any opposition, and I don't think the Reds' backline is one of the strongest in Super rugby, despite Quade who can turn a game around just by himself on occasions. Quade's handicap is twofold - there just aren't the players outside him to take advantage, and the game plan adopted by RG seems to stifle him.

Forwards battle should be close but if Shields and Vito are back and close to form, Reds' pack will not dominate except maybe at lineout.

Canes to win by about 12 imo.

Edit : Just saw the Canes' team list. No Brad Shields but with Lavave starting and Savea off the bench no reason to change my prediction.

 

[FrankLind]

If the Canes continue their recent form, I think they will comfortably beat the Reds in Wellington. Home advantage counts for a lot.

However, they are so hot and cold, that they could also easily lose it.

 

[RugbyReg]

bringing Daley and Saia into the starting team, with Slipper to 3 gives us our most mobile front row. Graham knows this is going to be an up tempo game and with Canes scrum not notably strong, this is his call to counter their play. That front row is going to have to do a lot of work this weekend to get the win.

 

[Tangawizi]

bringing Daley and Saia into the starting team, with Slipper to 3 gives us our most mobile front row. Graham knows this is going to be an up tempo game and with Canes scrum not notably strong, this is his call to counter their play. That front row is going to have to do a lot of work this weekend to get the win.

Agreed. I think Daley and Saia have been picked get in there and help disrupt the Canes around the rucks. We can't have a repeat of the first 40 against the Brumbies where they just continually recycled the ball and we didn't even look like turning it over.

The Reds will need to start strongly to jag a win here. Get some early scoreboard pressure on the Canes. Last 2 losses the Reds have done the exact opposite and had to try and haul in big leads. They can't afford to give the Canes a decent start at home or it could end up being a massacre.

 

[Scrubber2050]

The Reds scrum to date in 2014 with Slips at LHP has been the best over the past several years. Daley is woeful at scrumtime. Everyone knows it. Sure he is OK around the paddock but so is Greg Holmes.

Why fuck around with a winning scrum ?? - am starting to think RG is making some shit decisions.

It will be interesting to see how Daley goes - luckily for him the Canes scrum is not one of the strongest this year.

 

[Jets]

I get the theory behind it Reg but I think there could be some benefit to using the scrum as a weapon. It's a lottery though as some games can go for long periods without scrums. I guess we'll know on Saturday night if the plan works.

 

[Braveheart81]

I think the key for the Reds is limiting their errors.

The Hurricanes are great at exploiting turnovers. If I was the Reds I'd be trying to play a bit of a field position game and focus on set piece.

It might be boring, but playing a lower risk game with fewer errors seems like the best way to beat the Hurricanes to me.

 

[Jets]

Also I'd love Big Kev to get his running mojo back on. He needs to hit the ball with pace and carry some guys over the advantage line. He's looking like the only option at the moment.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I think the key for the Reds is limiting their errors.

The Hurricanes are great at exploiting turnovers. If I was the Reds I'd be trying to play a bit of a field position game and focus on set piece.

It might be boring, but playing a lower risk game with fewer errors seems like the best way to beat the Hurricanes to me.

Against this as a tactic, Taylor, Savea and Jane are one of the best back three running the ball back in the comp. Could really backfire, especially with no notable defenders in the Reds' backline.

 

[Braveheart81]

Against this as a tactic, Taylor, Savea and Jane are one of the best back three running the ball back in the comp. Could really backfire, especially with no notable defenders in the Reds' backline.

The Reds will need to be very accurate if they go down that line and generally look for touch and to go to a lineout, but I think they are more likely to be burnt on counterattack from turnovers than from kick returns.

From the Canes games I've watched this year, that's where they're at their most dangerous.

Taylor has certainly added new life into their backline though. He's finally starting to show signs of his 2012 form again.

 

[Tip]

I hope Slipper stays at Tight Head for the rest of the season. As for Davies on the bench, well he isn't the best defender and is very error prone so I hope JJ is able to contain Jane.

I'm also so very, very excited to see how CFS fares against Savea. Drooling on the keyboard excited

 

[gel]

TBH, I can't really recall CFS doing that much in the few times between repeated injuries. Sure, shows some real promise - but has not even remotely delivered on it if I was to be perfectly frank and honest in appraisal.

Savea has repeatedly demonstrated big games and big plays against the very best opposition.

Going on form, there is no way the reds will come anywhere close to winning and there is no way CFS will be even remotely close to Savea.

But, Reds still to win by 10.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Also I'd love Big Kev to get his running mojo back on. He needs to hit the ball with pace and carry some guys over the advantage line. He's looking like the only option at the moment.

jets - agree wholeheartedly
PLUS: Genia to actually play well, Cooper to make a break or 3, the backs to hold on to the pill, and score some tries (4+) and Daley to hold up his side of the scrum.

Don't ask for much

Reds by 5

 

[tranquility]

Daley is better around the ground than Greg, no question. Don't hate that decision at all, but if the scrum becomes an issues hook him.

JJ at the back is great, offers much more in counter and balances the back three out quite well.

Reds by whatever they feel appropriate.

 

[RugbyReg]

I get the theory behind it Reg but I think there could be some benefit to using the scrum as a weapon. It's a lottery though as some games can go for long periods without scrums. I guess we'll know on Saturday night if the plan works.

I am with you from a scrum perspective and thought that Owen might be a chance to start for that reason. As to what coaches see in Daley? He is so damn committed and a genuine leader. He loves the physicality and gets involved early and often. I know his shortcomings as much as you in regards scrums, and perhaps its the old 'weaken a strength to strengthen a weakness' but I can understand the justification of it. Interested to see how it evolves.

Also I'd love Big Kev to get his running mojo back on. He needs to hit the ball with pace and carry some guys over the advantage line. He's looking like the only option at the moment.

He's running. Just not the effectiveness. Perhaps the analysts will confirm this for me, but he looks too high for mine. I thought he was better v the Brumbies and in fact ran a couple of good lines.

 

[gel]

A lot of passes to Horwill have been such that he has had to check his run, which costs him momentum. That's just how I have been seeing it anyway.

 

[Tip]

TBH, I can't really recall CFS doing that much in the few times between repeated injuries. Sure, shows some real promise - but has not even remotely delivered on it if I was to be perfectly frank and honest in appraisal.

Savea has repeatedly demonstrated big games and big plays against the very best opposition.

Going on form, there is no way the reds will come anywhere close to winning and there is no way CFS will be even remotely close to Savea.

I'm just excited to see how CFS goes against the best winger in the world.

He's already the best winger that Australia has ever seen!

Look at his stats; 2 International Caps, 2 Tries. 100% scoring rate. Campo could only manage 60%, Lote could only manage 30/67

I'll just be sitting here and wait for someone to bite.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Daley is better around the ground than Greg, no question. Don't hate that decision at all, but if the scrum becomes an issues hook him.

JJ at the back is great, offers much more in counter and balances the back three out quite well.

Reds by whatever they feel appropriate.

mate it has been an issuye just about every time he packs down (over the past 4/5 years). Puts the rest of the piggies underenormous pressure and gives off a terrible but justified perception to referees