Pre Season '16: Reds v Brumbies

[the sabanator]

Reds were average, no structure in attack

So nothing has changed, unless they're playing their cards very very close to their chests in the trials.

The Reds aren't going to go anywhere in attack when they play so deep off the ruck and have such bland attacking options. Half the time it looks like the strategy doesn't extend beyond a few one of the ruck runs, chucking it to Kerevi for a run then kicking after you've been forced back 20 metres. It is immensely frustrating to watch.

There were a few performances that were above average. Tui looked good, Kerevi a monster with ball in hand, F'Sautia and Hunt showed promise returning kicks and even Nabuli looked alright.

 

[Intruder]

The Reds scrums was yet again dominant. Vanzati was found out when he replaced Faagase who was good tonight. Changed the scrum time battle however Brumbies still didn't get any real parity from it tonight. Talakai and Fainga'a had some positive involvements as well as Tui. Breakdown sill a shaky area for the Reds but better than last week.

The Reds main problem is there are too many passengers in the backline. They can't exit their line. Defence is still a big issue out wide. So many opportunities and overlaps. Kerevi had a few good darts likewise Hunt and F'Sautia but they barely saw the pill.

The small critism of M O'Connor was similar to that of Meehan last year. A coach can bring in a different structure but the head coach has the final say in what gets implemented. It looks as though it is the same rugby as last season.

 

[KAOPointman]

My one suggestion would be to make the stream url available earlier in the evening, perhaps through a dedicated 'live stream' page on their website, it makes it a little confusing trying to find the stream when it appears only 10mins before kick off, prior to that it was a dead link.

yep....i still cant get the link above to work. it keeps saying need to be signed in
its not on the utube channel yet either so im trying not to get the score yet....although im getting a rough idea by comments so far.
any ideas on getting the link to work guys??????

 

[ChargerWA]

The Reds look like they're being coached by Richard Graham.

That's the sickest burn ive ever read.

 

[armatt]

Also, the QRU got one thing right with this match and that was the live streaming, started up easily, great commentators and overall good quality. Watched it on my Tv and quality was good throughout.


My one suggestion would be to make the stream url available earlier in the evening, perhaps through a dedicated 'live stream' page on their website, it makes it a little confusing trying to find the stream when it appears only 10mins before kick off, prior to that it was a dead link.

The delayed start on the stream is a Fox Sports requirement to minimise the chance for links to be posted on offshore sites (getting around the geoblock). Reds traditionally and in the past have beamed up curtain raisers etc for games they live stream.

 

[upthereds#!]

So nothing has changed, unless they're playing their cards very very close to their chests in the trials.

The Reds aren't going to go anywhere in attack when they play so deep off the ruck and have such bland attacking options. Half the time it looks like the strategy doesn't extend beyond a few one of the ruck runs, chucking it to Kerevi for a run then kicking after you've been forced back 20 metres. It is immensely frustrating to watch.

There were a few performances that were above average. Tui looked good, Kerevi a monster with ball in hand, F'Sautia and Hunt showed promise returning kicks and even Nabuli looked alright.

I reckon Nabuli looked very lazy, but that is probably more a reflection of communication about his role. Spend 90% of the game just wandering up and down the wing. Must be frustrating.

I reckon Ready had a massive night mainly coz he was tackling like a beast.

 

[neilc]

Alot comments on Brumbies 'cynical' play.. quiet interesting. They attack the breakdown and push the line, but when they have the ball they are expansive and clinical. I personally see the Reds gameplan as 'cynical' rugby, although it is an obvious strength, going for scrum penalty after scrum penalty is a terrible watch. Combine that with kicking away everything and you've got yourself a snoozefest. Even in prime real estate (5m line) they have no desire to use the ball. The backs are starved of possession. Frisby will probably get a wringing for taking the quick tap even though he scored, thats how distorted the thinking is. The RG brand of rugby is deplorable.

Brumbies did look very good when they moved the ball - Tomane in particular made a lot of ground AND was well supported by players looking for him to offload. What annoyed me was their 22m defence - rather than back their actual defence they seemed to just be willing to give away penalties and then wait for a Reds mistake (which didn't take long). If they could eliminate that cynicalness out of their game and just back their abilities they show how good they can be and look a lot more exciting than last year.

 

[Brumby Runner]

So nothing has changed, unless they're playing their cards very very close to their chests in the trials.

The Reds aren't going to go anywhere in attack when they play so deep off the ruck and have such bland attacking options. Half the time it looks like the strategy doesn't extend beyond a few one of the ruck runs, chucking it to Kerevi for a run then kicking after you've been forced back 20 metres. It is immensely frustrating to watch.

There were a few performances that were above average. Tui looked good, Kerevi a monster with ball in hand, F'Sautia and Hunt showed promise returning kicks and even Nabuli looked alright.

Other than the dominace at the scrum, I thought the back three were really the only players that matched the Brumbies, at least in attack. They are a strength for the Reds and should be used as much as possible.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Congratulations to the Reds and Reg for the stream. Good quality. One thing though Reg, the Brumbies' halfback is Cubelli, not Cebulli.

On that subject, I thought Cubelli integrated well into the team and showed that he will be a problem for most other sides this year.

There was a lot of variety in the Brumbies' backline attack with second phase ball and a lot of off loading to supports working both outside and inside the ball runner. Tevita's try off a break by Joe Tomane and off loads to Fardy and to Tevite exemplified their attack. When needed, they then had big forwards hitting the ball up in centre field with the likes of Vaea, Pocock and Enever especially, with a strong showing by Scott Sio also when he came on.

Prospects for the year are looking good imo.

 

[TSR]

the frustration for me, and clearly others, is that the Reds coaches seem to have learnt little from last year. Kick chase was poor, penalties were given away too easily, our defence was exposed continuously on the outside and in attack we stood too deep and seemed to have no coherent strategy to use the ball to break down the defence.

To me there actually seems to be a lot of promise in this playing group, but so much of our strategy seems wrong.

I'm not sure it is overly inflammatory to say the Brumbies adopted cynical tactics in defence - but it worked. Other than that, and some issues in the scrum, I thought they were very impressive considering it is preseason. It was good to see them shifting the ball and looking for space. Happy to see Lilo play well. I think all of their reserves contributed when they came on.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Reds scrum good and forwards OK - thought Simmo didn't play his best.

But - same story for the past few years - backs were poor as were kicks in general play

The best thing last night at Ballymore were the chicken wings from King of Wings - bloody fantastic

 

[TOCC]

Any news on Gill's shoulder?

Gills shoulder is fine..
Lolo has a hamstring 'twinge'


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dru]

Yet to see what O'Connor has contributed to the team

Just as I was to concur:-

The small criticsm of M O'Connor was similar to that of Meehan last year. A coach can bring in a different structure but the head coach has the final say in what gets implemented.

Thanks to both of you. Both are right I think.

I'm liking our front row, all 9 of them. I like the locks at the set piece and I'm taking special interest in Matwijou. Just wish that Simmo felt like he had to fight for his run on spot. Not enough lock power around the field and at the break down for me. An little go forward in attack in the tight 5.

Loosies are fine, I'm reconsidering my previous poor opinion of Schatz and even Browning. Hendrik needs to dial down from 11/10 energy levels but you can't doubt his ticker. Find myself waiting for Korczyk - any news?

Frisby will settle, contrary to others, I love his chat, and he needs to get up lazy forwards a lot more. Loved him telling the ref "they have 15 I'm not putting it in". Ref's Assistant owes that man a beer.

I'm annoyed that Greene does not seem to be getting a fair shake (bringing him on with Gale is getting him ready for the bench, not giving him a shot to build a partnership with Frisby as a serious 10 contender). McIntyre has a ticker, his defence is outstanding. Was he defending on the wing on occasion? (I can't see the shape in this back line). Give him a break on his kicking. It's good and will get better. Jury is still out on whether he can do more than distribute, but it's another item I'm placing at RG's feet. He stands way too deep (forwards structure is big part of this). How many blokes did he put into a hole? To be fair a 10 will find fewer holes in the first 2-3 phases than the next 2-3. Did we ever get that far?

The plan seems to be "give it to Kerevi" and the rest of the line, bar Hunt who is not involved enough at 15, are Kerevi clones. There are no specialists outside 10 (bar CF-S?).

Who understands wings? I'm wondering if Nebuli and CF-S are on the right sides. Wouldn't CF-S be better on the blind side? Better chance at being Digby-esque than Nabuli who can run if there is an opening. Or over the top if the defence is half hearted.

Karevi, Nabuli, Taefu would all make fantastic finishers (Cheika style) in possibly any Super Rugby team. But the effect as coached on the run-on side is a grey coloured goo/blancmange of little flair. And it has not even come with a reduction in error.

Brumbies could be a sensational team this year. Possible finals contenders.

 

[reds20162016]

I know we don't see eye to eye sometimes DRU but that's exactly right with what you just said. The back line is great (including Taefu and keveri as the centre pairing ) have talent and did achieve great things in NRC. i have hope of positive things.... Brumbies were so strong and what a learning curve for young ones

 

[TOCC]

I'm not sold on Taefu as the centre pairing, i really want to see more of Paia'ua at 12.

 

[dru]

I'm not sold on Taefu as the centre pairing, i really want to see more of Paia'ua at 12.

Yep. But I'm also hoping to see Hunt back at 13 and then I get confused because I'm not leaving Karevi on the bench. Really really really should have tried Paia'ua inside Karevei in the trials when they were stuffing around with Hunt at the back.

And that's part of why it is irritating. I know we (certainly myself) don't see what is going on in training. Maybe some of this thinking has been tested and left behind. But I just don't see the coaching nous. Especially in the back line.

I become less and less a fan of this arrangement where there is Attack and Defence coaches. And a forwards coach. Our backline needs needs someone pulling it together.

I'll be damned if we are getting the best out of our talent in the pre-season.

 

[reds20162016]

Well I will be watching both the 12s during the season. Obviously u guys don't see what I see in Taefu and I don't see what u see in Duncan. It will be an interesting season. But I hope Duncan does a lot better then last year. He was the 10 and got scrutinised and only played a few super games.
All the best to the Reds
Let's hope it's a good season. I'm signing off for the season now. Have a good year fellas.

 

[dru]

Well I will be watching both the 12s during the season. Obviously u guys don't see what I see in Taefu and I don't see what u see in Duncan. It will be an interesting season. But I hope Duncan does a lot better then last year. He was the 10 and got scrutinised and only played a few super games.
All the best to the Reds
Let's hope it's a good season. I'm signing off for the season now. Have a good year fellas.

The problem isnt Taefu. Its Taefu-Karevi-Nabuli similar style players who together dont achieve the best balance that is available to the team. Its an excessive response to wanting size. Along woth how we are using 10 provides a predictable backline with little flair.

The messiah is not Paia'ua. But he is lighter and more manouverable. When we are trying to find balance in the back line Paia'ua needs to be tested. Not for his good, for the shape of the team.

Ditto Greene, not the messiah, but lets see what he adds to the balance. Those big blokes need holes to fall into.

Where I sit right now, Taefu doesnt loose his spot because Paia' is better. He looses it because he isnt better than Karevi.

 

[FilthRugby]

TSR - You definitely have a valid point. The Reds do have a lot of potential, but the strategizing leaves a lot to be desired. As mentioned previously, Faagase and Talakai are two players the Reds need to keep.

The dilemma of too many front-rowers rears its head this season, but with Holmes leaving in 2017, the THP should rightfully go to Talakai (in my opinion).

Dru - Last night, I thought the Gale-Greene-Taefu-Magnay combination looked promising.

The Reds really should give Greene a start at #10. I think he has better attacking vision than McIntyre. His kicking game was a bit off, but that is a rare occurrence.

 

[TSR]

Filth Rugby, I hope Greene does get some time in the last trial. But I think it is going to be hard to make a reasonable assessment of any of the backs, but either of the 10s in particular, whilst we pursue our current game strategy. Unfortunately McIntyre vs Greene seems largely irrelevant to me at present.

I am really disappointed about last night. I have spent the last couple of weeks looking at the playing group thinking to myself there is some real potential amongst this squad. The addition of Damien Marsh should make a real difference to match day performance. There is some real strength in the tight 5 The addition of a fit Tui & a developing LoLo adds balance to our back row. Individually Kerevi, CFS, Hunt & Nabuli all showed they can cause headaches in attack. Goromura can play at this level given his test experience. I am looking forward to Frisby getting a real crack at the 9 spot. All up I genuinely thought that if the injury gods were kind there was a lot to look forward to.

Last night was tripe. I am reminding myself it's preseason and I live in hope that they will get better - but the phrase about an idiot doing the same thing and expecting a different result runs through my mind.