RD 13 Reds vs Blues, Fri May 19, 2023

[RugbyReg]

I reckon it’s strategy to close out the game. We’ve dropped off massively in the 2nd half this season. Needed some workers to up the ante when they came on.

 

[Adam84]

Yeah i reckon it's a strategy also. I said it during last week's game, 3 of the Reds best forwards are on the bench (Smith, Faessler and Wilson)

 

[Fireworks]

I've been thinking about this game a lot. Blues coming off a tough loss to the Crusaders will be keen to bounce back. Reds, on the other hand, coming off one of the biggest upsets in recent times by beating the Chiefs. I can see how complacency could creep in for the Reds but I really do hope they can put back to back performances together against NZ opposition especially given it is Brad's last home game at Suncorp. If they don't show up and the Blues dominate them, then the win last week will mean nothing in my opinion.

 

[Dan54]

After being at Chief's/Red's game last week, I would be very surprised if Blues do dominate Reds this week, and would actually be a little nervous. That Reds team were pretty confident and tackling anything that moved in second half, and wouldn't be surprised if they took it into this week's game.

 

[dru]

I've been thinking about this game a lot. Blues coming off a tough loss to the Crusaders will be keen to bounce back. Reds, on the other hand, coming off one of the biggest upsets in recent times by beating the Chiefs. I can see how complacency could creep in for the Reds but I really do hope they can put back to back performances together against NZ opposition especially given it is Brad's last home game at Suncorp. If they don't show up and the Blues dominate them, then the win last week will mean nothing in my opinion.

Sure, but I can also see how after a tough year that the Reds have found a hard edge along with the determination to grind it sharp. Hope so anyway.

 

[Marbig]

I think the thing that stood out from the win last week was it seemed like the Reds actually had a gameplan and just so happened they were able to stick with it and grind out the win. Would cop a loss if they lose tonight but still play with genuine direction and limit silly penalties and just get outplayed but will be disappointed if they lose with no apparent plan in place as would be a massive step in the wrong direction.

 

[LeCheese]

TOO MUCH NEGATIVITY!

rugby.com.au on Instagram: "#FlashbackFriday to the first ever hat-trick in @redsrugby history Don't miss all the #REDvBLU action from @suncorpstadium tonight at the 7:35pm AEST! #SuperRugbyPacific"

208 likes, 2 comments - rugby.com.au (@rugbycomau) on Instagram: "#FlashbackFriday to the first ever hat-trick in @redsrugby history Don't miss all the #REDv..."

www.instagram.com

 

[The Red Baron]

TOO MUCH NEGATIVITY!

rugby.com.au on Instagram: "#FlashbackFriday to the first ever hat-trick in @redsrugby history Don't miss all the #REDvBLU action from @suncorpstadium tonight at the 7:35pm AEST! #SuperRugbyPacific"

208 likes, 2 comments - rugby.com.au (@rugbycomau) on Instagram: "#FlashbackFriday to the first ever hat-trick in @redsrugby history Don't miss all the #REDv..."

www.instagram.com

That set piece try was poetry.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Loss Bleus' AC Dan Halangahu has let their cunning plan out of the bag:

“If you compare it to this time last year, we probably peaked about this time. So this year we’re looking to peak a bit later and keep building our game.”

But wait, there's more:

“We want to win those (remaining) games, but what we want to see within our game is what everyone loves about this Blues team: really hard, tough rugby but them moving into space and getting our athletes into space. We know the crowd doesn’t turn up to see us kick the ball away. They turn up to see Akira [Ioane], Rieko [Ioane], Caleb [Clarke), Mark [Telea] running down the field. That’s our job – but a lot of hard work needs to happen for that to come to fruition.”

I'll let @Dismal Pillock analyse the highlighted bit...

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[Dctarget]

I was super pumped to see Louis Werchon make his reds debut last week considering how well he’d been performing at QPR level but one sticking point I had with after the chiefs game…

Tate McDermott is absolutely a 80 min player… Werchon only should come on if it’s a blow out… that goes for Kalani Thomas too… fresh reserve and give Tate as many minutes as humanly possible

Apparently Louis has been hooked for showing up to a team meeting late. Kalani Thomas replaces him.

 

[LeCheese]

Apparently Louis has been hooked for showing up to a team meeting late. Kalani Thomas replaces him.

Spent too long doing his hair?

 

[Misunderstood fan]

Brutal. He won’t be late again if he values his position in the team.

 

[Misunderstood fan]

C’mon Reds. You need to fire straight up.

 

[LeCheese]

Crowd is a bit disappointing, but probably expected

 

[Confucius Say]

Crowd was small in Christchurch tonight too.

 

[Adam84]

Jeez Blues pretty cynical in defence the first time the Reds entire their red zone

 

[zer0]

Why is the field such a cut up mess?

 

[Adam84]

NRLs magic round and Brisbane winter

 

[LeCheese]

And broncos last night

 

[Dan54]

Why is the field such a cut up mess?

It's never been a great field for holding together.