QF1 2012 - Reds vs Sharks

[Sully]

Yes the Reds 2012 10 jersey hoodoo struck again! But that's it now it's all over. Any word on Lucas's injury?

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

Nice game of free flowing rugby, quick ball all day. Congrats Shorks, out of all the South African teams I enjoy their style the most. They don't just get over the advantage line, they aim (and expect) to push 10m past it every time. Then they have amazing support play to finish the job off.

Reds are still looking good, did well considering Lucas went off early. Next season might be their season if they don't get such a bad run with injuries.

Oh and lastly, Genia is amazing. Just about the best player I've ever seen.

 

[Mica]

Whilst Simons should have Benin yellow carded for constantly interfering with defence on wrong side of rucks. I think the guy believes he plays for opposing teams by the amount of time he spends on the wrong side!!!!

Must be a Crusaders fan - they are the experts at being offside at a ruck and taking out players who are attempting to join the ruck based on how much time they practice it!!

 

[Mica]

In regards to the halfbacks, most of it comes down to the forward pack. Australia were pretty weak in the WC and thus so was Genia. Behind the AB's he would be unstoppable. I don't think you could argue there are any better all round 9's than Genia right now (although his kicking is poor at times). Aaron Smith behind a dominant pack is going to be special, Kerr Barlow and TJP all have the raw talent to be at the top.

Top comment - agree much to my dismay that the ABs have some great young talent coming through the ranks.
Look at fly half too Cruden and Barret coming through after Carter.
Also who would have thought that McCaw would get bumped from 7 in the Crusaders - so now there is Todd and not to mention Cane.
Although there are lots of good opensiders coming through in all three nations (Aus has Gill and Hooper. SA has Coetzee and Kolisi)

 

[Mica]

Weepu has been one the biggest disappointments this season. Not even best halfback in NZ.

Hougaard would be up there pushing Genia and was good in the tests.

Another great comment on scrum halves. Hougaard is indeed very good. Both he and Genia would be close to the fastest scrum halves going around. Although this meant that Hougaard got bumped to the wing yesterday much to his displeasure

 

[fatprop]

Another great comment on scrum halves. Hougaard is indeed very good. Both he and Genia would be close to the fastest scrum halves going around. Although this meant that Hougaard got bumped to the wing yesterday much to his displeasure

Aaron Smith makes they look like they are slow motion

 

[Ruggo]

Tough on Digby fellas. He was the victim of a Sharks side that did a fantastic threat analysis on him. Wallabies need to take note of this in the comming months.

 

[Jiggles]

Digby can hold his head up high. He was trying hard all night to spark something in a pretty ordinary offensive effort.

 

[Lindommer]

.....While Simmons should have been yellow carded for constantly interfering with defence on wrong side of rucks. I think the guy believes he plays for opposing teams by the amount of time he spends on the wrong side!

Delighted to read of a Kiwi who knows a bit about offside play at the ruck/maul/tackle. Now, krf, would you be kind enough to impart your knowledge to young Owen Franks of your parish, the socks-down lad who thinks loitering 2m in front of his offside line is a good place to have some fun.

 

[spectator]

Haven't read any comments but may I just say well done to the Sharks. They beat my favourite team fairly and squarely and I would love to see them go all the way.

As for the Reds......pretty much the same team next year with a few young guns to come back from injury. They will feature again. Good season lads, enjoy mad Monday!

 

[Braveheart81]

I think Simmons needs to stop spending so much time loitering offside at the breakdown. It's almost like he considers his first job to get in the way of the opposition rather than having an effective involvement.

The second lock position (after Sharpe) is subject to much conjecture over who should play there. With Simmons playing as he did last night, I'd suggest that is a major reason why Timani is being looked at as an option. Simmons had a shocker last night and completely lost focus on what he should have actually been doing.

 

[Penguin]

Digby can hold his head up high. He was trying hard all night to spark something in a pretty ordinary offensive effort.

Except for when he just stood and watched one of the Sharks players run by him on the way to the tryline (Sharks 2nd try I think)

 

[Scorz]

Also who would have thought that McCaw would get bumped from 7 in the Crusaders - so now there is Todd and not to mention Cane.

Actually he was only at 8 because Read was injured.

Reds looked like they forgot to think about winning the game and then got blown away. About as much penetration on attack as marshmallow hitting brick.

 

[Jiggles]

Except for when he just stood and watched one of the Sharks players run by him on the way to the tryline (Sharks 2nd try I think)

Jordaan cut back on a pretty sharp angle. Not many people could make that tackle.

 

[FrankLind]

I think Simmons needs to stop spending so much time loitering offside at the breakdown. It's almost like he considers his first job to get in the way of the opposition rather than having an effective involvement.

The second lock position (after Sharpe) is subject to much conjecture over who should play there. With Simmons playing as he did last night, I'd suggest that is a major reason why Timani is being looked at as an option. Simmons had a shocker last night and completely lost focus on what he should have actually been doing.

Simmons, in the games I have seen, lacks mongrel and physicality.

 

[Mica]

Actually he was only at 8 because Read was injured.

True - I guess it also shows the versatility of McCaw.
Do the Crusaders not have a replacement 8 in their squad? Surely there is another Whitelock or Franks hiding somewhere??

 

[TOCC]

I think the loss of Horwill hurt more then we realised, no discredit to AWH but they play different games and also that crucial loss of leadership

 

[Mica]

Simmons, in the games I have seen, lacks mongrel and physicality.

Isn't that the same as most of our locks since Vickerman moved out of the frame (and he has just been dosed up on SA angry pills (Bakkies brand I'd guess)).

This is where Brad Thorn excelled - huge amount of mongrel and physicality but not the insane stupid angriness (and brain explosion waiting to happen) of a Botha or Ali Williams.

 

[Red slug]

I think Simmons needs to stop spending so much time loitering offside at the breakdown. It's almost like he considers his first job to get in the way of the opposition rather than having an effective involvement.

The second lock position (after Sharpe) is subject to much conjecture over who should play there. With Simmons playing as he did last night, I'd suggest that is a major reason why Timani is being looked at as an option. Simmons had a shocker last night and completely lost focus on what he should have actually been doing.

Not often do I agree with a Tahs fan but spot on Simmons does too much watching from an offside position but Timani is a watcher as well but doesn't seem to know where he should be at times looks lost, bring back the old bastards Sharpey and Van!

 

[Dan54]

True - I guess it also shows the versatility of McCaw.
Do the Crusaders not have a replacement 8 in their squad? Surely there is another Whitelock or Franks hiding somewhere??

Well yes Mica,the young back up 8for the Crusaders is actually Luke Whitelock the youngest brother.