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punter
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Gill v Coetzee. . . mouthwatering
QF1 2012 - Reds vs Sharks
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ACT Crusader
Jim Lenehan (48)
I've really liked how the Sharks pack have played the last month or so. Becker is a much more rounded player this season other than just being a LO giant and good in the loose. He's a dominant player in the tight and does a fair bit of grunt work which I hadn't seen in previous seasons.
The back row is humming and at the breakdown they get plenty of assistance from the brothers.
JP is one of the top 5 backs in the comp this year IMO. I'm not a fan but he has a real knack of getting over the gain line and (arrogantly) sniffing or setting up a meat pie. He really is a key player for them.
As for the Reds, with no Quade it really is all about Genia. He needs quick ball because going forward he is one of the great decision makers that can take the pressure off whoever plays 10.
Looking forward to the game. I'm picking Sharks by 2.
The back row is humming and at the breakdown they get plenty of assistance from the brothers.
JP is one of the top 5 backs in the comp this year IMO. I'm not a fan but he has a real knack of getting over the gain line and (arrogantly) sniffing or setting up a meat pie. He really is a key player for them.
As for the Reds, with no Quade it really is all about Genia. He needs quick ball because going forward he is one of the great decision makers that can take the pressure off whoever plays 10.
Looking forward to the game. I'm picking Sharks by 2.
kiap
Steve Williams (59)
Scott Allen
Trevor Allan (34)
Who is this Becker bloke who plays for the Sharks? Must be injured or suspended because didn't make the 22 for this week.
PaarlBok
Rod McCall (65)
Strong side and best pack of the competition. Also good to see Jordaan back. If they keep it tight and dominate up front, cant see them dropping this one.
tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
Alberts at lock? Have they played him there much lately? Very very strong pack though.
kiap
Steve Williams (59)
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
If the loss to the Lions and the first 40 minutes against the Cheetahs are amongst the Sharks' best form ever then the Reds will cruise it.
The Big Code
Bob McCowan (2)
I just watched the Sharks v Cheetahs replay. While the Sharks had a few guys injured/rested, it still gave an insight into what we can expect from them.
They weren't anything special in the first half. The Cheetahs really took it to them, and the Sharks took a while to get going. Once they did in the second half though, they looked dangerous at times. The game was remarkably similar to the Reds v Tahs actually, with a close game at halftime before a few tries just after the break proving all the difference.
Their backrow was everywhere, especially the skipper Keegan Daniel. In fact the backrow could be triplets, they all look identical and play a similar style. For a big, strong forward pack they actually didn't compete much at the breakdown. They were happy to let the Cheetahs have the ball and defend. I would be surprised if they try the same thing against the Reds, who would be expected to be better with the ball in hand than the Cheetahs.
Their backline is nothing special. Michalak seems to be a catch and pass fly half these days, and the only real spark came from JP Pietersen (who I have never rated but seems in really good form at the moment).
Losing Lambie is a big blow, and goes someway to evening out Quade's absence. I think with the fact the Sharks have to travel, the Reds should be favourites. It won't be easy at all, and I think they will have to improve a hell of a lot from last week to get the job done, but they certainly can do it.
The game between the two sides earlier in the year was a cracker and I am expecting more of the same!
They weren't anything special in the first half. The Cheetahs really took it to them, and the Sharks took a while to get going. Once they did in the second half though, they looked dangerous at times. The game was remarkably similar to the Reds v Tahs actually, with a close game at halftime before a few tries just after the break proving all the difference.
Their backrow was everywhere, especially the skipper Keegan Daniel. In fact the backrow could be triplets, they all look identical and play a similar style. For a big, strong forward pack they actually didn't compete much at the breakdown. They were happy to let the Cheetahs have the ball and defend. I would be surprised if they try the same thing against the Reds, who would be expected to be better with the ball in hand than the Cheetahs.
Their backline is nothing special. Michalak seems to be a catch and pass fly half these days, and the only real spark came from JP Pietersen (who I have never rated but seems in really good form at the moment).
Losing Lambie is a big blow, and goes someway to evening out Quade's absence. I think with the fact the Sharks have to travel, the Reds should be favourites. It won't be easy at all, and I think they will have to improve a hell of a lot from last week to get the job done, but they certainly can do it.
The game between the two sides earlier in the year was a cracker and I am expecting more of the same!
Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
Yes. He subbed there a few times this year and played a blinder in the second half last week. Alberts started his career at the Lions more as a lock.
He played mostly at lock last year in the RWC when we had a locking crisis and was our best forward.
Before the emergence of Etsebeth, Alberts was considered an option as a Bok starting lock and I still maintain he is the best guy after Etsebeth to play at 4 for the Boks.
It's very much a case of getting all the best players on the park for the Sharks. That is one hell of a mobile pack that gives up no grunt.
Now all they have to do is play, which the Sharks seem to forget how to do all too often. They are a one week on and one week off side and that's always been their issue. From sublime to the toilet in a week.
emuarse
Desmond Connor (43)
In that case we'll put up some portable 'loos for them behind their goal posts.
Mr Doug
Dick Tooth (41)
Meh, he's a Mummy's boy.
Got to be one of the worst "tackles" I've seen! Can he be cited for a 'dangerous tackle', in that he raised himself above the horizontal and speared his head into the turf (with the assistance of the ball-carrier's left hand gripping the collar of his jumper)?!!
Brisbok
Cyril Towers (30)
Certainly not the best tackling technique, but when you make as many tackles and get through as much work as Coetzee does, you can forgive him for having the occasional rush of blood to his head. He has only just turned 21 years old after all. How ironic it is that it is Dean Mumm, one of the least effective 2nd rowers in the competition and certainly not someone who steps up when the going gets tough, who palms him off in this instance.
Sandpit Fan
Nev Cottrell (35)
Option B would be my guess.
Brisbok
Cyril Towers (30)
Maybe a bit of both? Add to that the average weather we've had in Brisbane over the last couple of weeks (although it is perfect today!), maybe also the fact that the Reds in finishing 6th overall this year have not generated as much hype as they had last year with a top of the table finish? Who knows. I'm sure there will be a lot of walk ups on the night if the weather stays fine.
Jnor
Peter Fenwicke (45)
I know they have, and I'm sure the Reds themselves will not be shitting Boral's finest. I'm just a nervous fan.
A
AlexH
Guest
I would think that the loss of Francois Steyn is as significant for the Sharks as Cooper's suspension is for the Reds. That kid is a game changer.
Scott Allen
Trevor Allan (34)
Here's a link to my video preview of the game
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/video-preview-reds-v-sharks/
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/video-preview-reds-v-sharks/
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