T
TOCC
Guest
Looking at gen next indeed...
I understand why, but it's a dangerous game..
I understand why, but it's a dangerous game..
Highlanders v Reds, Round 17, July 14. Party at Tony Brown's.
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hammertimethere
Trevor Allan (34)
It's a young bench but fuck it who cares the season is over. Hopefully the lads play well, win then quickly have a hard look at themselves and say what if?
Would be doubly nice to see Simmo, QC (Quade Cooper), Squeak, Hunt etc. all have strong games so they (if selected) come into Wallaby camp with good energy and form.
Would be doubly nice to see Simmo, QC (Quade Cooper), Squeak, Hunt etc. all have strong games so they (if selected) come into Wallaby camp with good energy and form.
T
TOCC
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If Hewat and Ngamanu get on, then that will make 10 players aged 20years old or younger who have pulled the Reds jersey in 2017, the next closest is the Stormers with 3 aged 20yrs or younger.
*that stat was correct as of before last round
*that stat was correct as of before last round
RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
I think this is exactly what they should be doing, squad-wise.
Build up from the bottom with new promising talent, ditch the old stagers, money-grabbers and faded-glory stars asap and then....
.....get L Gill back as Captain asap and then.....
......rapidly re-build the coaching group in the opposite direction, with seasoned, experienced coaches with sound track records and proven specialist expertise.
Broadly, a re-run of how Link picked up a fundamentally sound but young mostly-Mooney-chosen squad from 2008-09, added himself and the right full-strength specialist support group (v much incl the great A Evans to improve set piece and the forwards, Fowler for team psychology and game planning, coupled btw with an inspired external squad recruit in D Braid), and good things started to happen.
It can be done again, 2018 version.
But the last time it happened this way we had a QRU reeling from self-induced disaster and that finally awoke to the notion that radical change - designed by outsiders not insiders - was simply essential to have any chance of survival.
The torpedo
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
Wow. Easily the most artistic thing ever posted at this website.
Couldn’t resist making a tiny addition.
Couldn’t resist making a tiny addition.
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
RH
Liam you say.
Terrific player and all that. But FFS put him in perspective, He couldn't break into the Wallabies as he was considered to be the third or fourth best 7 in Australia,
Quite frankly Smith has brought more this year than Liam . Remember Liam fucked off for the money - yeah yeah I understand the RG factor. I think ALL the team had the shits with RG but plenty stayed and the change was FINALLY made.
A team needs to evolve and young players, deserving of a spot, should get the opportunity. But bring them in too early and too many of them and that can be at the team's peril.
Liam you say.
Terrific player and all that. But FFS put him in perspective, He couldn't break into the Wallabies as he was considered to be the third or fourth best 7 in Australia,
Quite frankly Smith has brought more this year than Liam . Remember Liam fucked off for the money - yeah yeah I understand the RG factor. I think ALL the team had the shits with RG but plenty stayed and the change was FINALLY made.
A team needs to evolve and young players, deserving of a spot, should get the opportunity. But bring them in too early and too many of them and that can be at the team's peril.
Juan Cote
Syd Malcolm (24)
A different perspective on Gill; despite him being overweight and lacking leadership skills as implied above, he won the Pilecki Medal in 2015 (with a record points tally) and then won it again in 2016 (by a considerable margin despite missing the opening rounds of the season).
Not being able to make the Wallabies has no bearing on his stature as a player for the Reds.
In 2016 Cheika wanted to include Gill in the Wallaby camp for the Rugby Championships but Gill declined, so who knows what the pecking order would have been?
I'm not sure what 'more' Smith has brought this year as opposed to Gill based on Gill's 2015 & 16 form.
Not being able to make the Wallabies has no bearing on his stature as a player for the Reds.
In 2016 Cheika wanted to include Gill in the Wallaby camp for the Rugby Championships but Gill declined, so who knows what the pecking order would have been?
I'm not sure what 'more' Smith has brought this year as opposed to Gill based on Gill's 2015 & 16 form.
Forcefield
Ken Catchpole (46)
I liked Liam Gill. On past form, he is the kind of player we really need with the Wallabies. With the way the breakdown is currently policed, he offers a more diverse skillset than Pocock but is better at the meat and potatoes than Hooper. Perfect balance.
RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
I completely agree gel.
Additionally, I think Moore is way past it and has been at best a mediocre Reds Captain when doing so.
Kerevi is IMO very prematurely promoted to that role and it will not assist or enhance has development as a player (just as btw Hooper's premature promotion as Wallaby Captain did not and has not his).
Liam bled Reds and was hugely torn when he finally decided to go to Toulon.
RG's endless 'he's still here despite obvious total incompetence' re-engagement by the hapless QRU was THE key factor in this move to the EU. He is absolutely not an obsessively money-driven player.
And he's young enough to give more for a long period yet.
He's just as good - if not better - a risk as Link took with J Horwill as his appointed Captain.
teach
Trevor Allan (34)
This probably not far off their strongest team. The bench is pretty strong as well. They played a lot of games at the start of the season without their stars so I am pleased to see them all peaking for the finals.
Elliot Dixon carrying a couple of niggles so being rested. Smith and Smith rested.
Unavailable due to injury: Matt Faddes (Out for the season: Jason Emery, Hayden Parker, Shane Christie)
From the Highlanders' website:
Head Coach Tony Brown has named a team that has a similar feel to the team that beat the British and Irish Lions team in the June break. Liam Squire, who has been side-lined with injury since round 11 after breaking his thumb against the Cheetahs, returns to the starting line up in the blind-side flank position. All Blacks, Aaron and Ben Smith will be rested for this game while Liam Coltman, Malakai Fekitoa and Waisake Naholo will run out against the Reds. Maori All Black representatives, Tom Franklin and Rob Thompson make the starting line-up and Ash Dixon is in the reserves.
Head Coach Tony Brown commented, “It’s great to have the boys all back together, we’ve had a great preparation week and are looking forward to a tough challenge against the Reds. The team is excited about putting on a great performance in what could be our last game at home in front of our fans ”.
The side will be co-captained by Luke Whitelock and Ash Dixon.The Highlanders finals placing is yet to be determined but depending on results will likely play the Lions or Crusaders however that will not be known until the round is complete on Sunday morning.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
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