Reds 2011

[TOCC]

Sam Denny is a ball of muscle

 

[spectator]

Very disappointed for the boys that they lost the game. They had their chances but impatience and inexperience probably cost them in the end, as it is a very young side. A few observations follow:

I talked McDuling up after the game against Fiji A and nothing has changed my mind. The guy is a very handy player. Gill was impressive, very quick to the breakdown, and I would hope he gets a crack on the big stage at some point. Lance at 10 was effective, a very strong ball runner and defender. Hope the Reds can hang on to him.

Shipperly is quite a unit, he looked to be as big or bigger than Luke Morahan, and had some strong runs again. Luke's game was much improved from his last outing. Feldsman came on late in the second half and showed his pace with a chip and chase try.

Wouldn't mind seeing more of Butler. He played at 8. and looked to acquit himself well.

Disappointing for Ben Tapuai that he lost his first game as captain. Not his fault, he was solid.

No Jake Schatz but he was at the ground and didn't look injured. Must be going to Sydney

Next game is Monday v Tonga.

 

[TOCC]

I reckon Shatz may be starting at 8 on the weekend, i dont think he played in any of the trials and was coming off injury, so maybe link wanted him to have a hit out before calling him into the squad.

 

[Lee Grant]

Thanks for the report speckie.

At 195cms McDuling he may not appear to be tall enough for a 2nd rower but as Bruce advised: he has a big wing span. He also has a big engine.

I reckon he has Super potential and not just as a lock. Van, Samo and AWH won't be around that long and that is one area where Qld Schools has been deficient since Simmons time.

[PS - Not that I ever rated AWH].

 

[spectator]

McDuling certainly plays taller than 195 cm in the lineout LG, he won his fair share of ball. I was watching him closely last night, to see whether my initial impression had merit, and he didn't disappoint. Big engine, as you say. He worked very hard in both attack and defence. As Godfrey said, he got over the gain line repeatedly.

Another astute pickup by Link.

We're now waiting to see Coridas back on the paddock, and I'm confident that Link will be three from three, in terms of quality pick ups at a bargain basement prices. The good thing is that if Qld can't retain them then these guys will at least have upped their value and interest from other franchises and o/s.

 

[TOCC]

some pictures of the Reds Academy matches http://www.rugbyunion.com.au/photo?...=c7a45799-326f-477c-b535-ff347ddc2fc1&scope=0

 

[fanlynne]

The jurno that wrote that rubbish is just looking to get his name in print.

 

[Ash]

Looks like a bot in the post above.

<edit> because of the sig

 

[Bowside]

After 2 rounds the reds are looking worse than they have for a quite a while. Worryingly they seem to have lost the attacking spark that was a feature of their game in 2010 and parts of 2009. With the benefit of hindsight it is plain to see that the current gameplan is fast becoming outdated and unachievable.

The Horwill at 6 experiment has so far been a failure and the lack of proper flankers has inhibited the reds ability to get clean plentiful ball. Next week I would like to see the return of a more fast paced, open and intense style of play. The attempt at brutal forward play needs to make way for a more mobile pack mentality focused on winning quick, clean ball, and lots of it.

In terms of selection I would consider bringing guy shepherdson into the 22 to face off with his old team, as well as moving Horwill(if fit) back to the second row in place of van humphreys. In my mind the backrow selections are pretty clear with higgers to 6, Houston or shatz to 8, and hand the 7 spot to a fetcher, the obvious pick being liam gill.

While I am no expert on backlines, ours is looking terribly out of touch at the moment. The combinations just dont seem to be firing as they did in 2010 and I expect link to do alot of work on this during the week. Would like to see chambers given maybe have half a game for the reds 2nd XV mid week in order for him to build some confidence against a weaker opposition. He should also lose the headgear, it seems like bad luck. Morahan and Tapuai might come into consideration for bench spots aswell.

They say the hour of greatest darkness is right before the dawn, lets hope that fucking holds true for us.

 

[Gnostic]

Bowside,

I said in the match thread get down on bended knee and beg forgiveness and ask Mooney to come back and coach the backs. He has them running plays and patterns that got them go forward even behind a totally beaten pack, and this pack is better than what he had in 2008.

I said last week that the selection of the "big" forward pack for the Reds (which was still lighter by 10Kg than the Tahs) sacrificed mobility and physicallity for questionable advantages. In the end the "big" pack was totally out muscled in all facets of play.

 

[I like to watch]

They say the hour of greatest darkness is right before the dawn, lets hope that fucking holds true for us.

Why can't it get darker?

 

[Bowside]

Bowside,

I said in the match thread get down on bended knee and beg forgiveness and ask Mooney to come back and coach the backs. He has them running plays and patterns that got them go forward even behind a totally beaten pack, and this pack is better than what he had in 2008.

I said last week that the selection of the "big" forward pack for the Reds (which was still lighter by 10Kg than the Tahs) sacrificed mobility and physicallity for questionable advantages. In the end the "big" pack was totally out muscled in all facets of play.

The effect of Mooneys coaching certainly starts to look more credible after performances like tonight's. However he is not the answer, the underlying problem lies in the reds inability to go forward, hold possession, and distribute quick ball.

 

[RugbyReg]

After 2 rounds the reds are looking worse than they have for a quite a while. Worryingly they seem to have lost the attacking spark that was a feature of their game in 2010 and parts of 2009. With the benefit of hindsight it is plain to see that the current gameplan is fast becoming outdated and unachievable.

The Horwill at 6 experiment has so far been a failure and the lack of proper flankers has inhibited the reds ability to get clean plentiful ball. Next week I would like to see the return of a more fast paced, open and intense style of play. The attempt at brutal forward play needs to make way for a more mobile pack mentality focused on winning quick, clean ball, and lots of it.

In terms of selection I would consider bringing guy shepherdson into the 22 to face off with his old team, as well as moving Horwill(if fit) back to the second row in place of van humphreys. In my mind the backrow selections are pretty clear with higgers to 6, Houston or shatz to 8, and hand the 7 spot to a fetcher, the obvious pick being liam gill.

While I am no expert on backlines, ours is looking terribly out of touch at the moment. The combinations just dont seem to be firing as they did in 2010 and I expect link to do alot of work on this during the week. Would like to see chambers given maybe have half a game for the reds 2nd XV mid week in order for him to build some confidence against a weaker opposition. He should also lose the headgear, it seems like bad luck. Morahan and Tapuai might come into consideration for bench spots aswell.

They say the hour of greatest darkness is right before the dawn, lets hope that fucking holds true for us.

well, for just over a year.

 

[Tangawizi]

WTF has happened to the Reds in the few weeks from blowing the Crusaders and Brumbies away in the trial games to serving up tonight's shit?

And what is the story with Tomiki as a 7? 2 year contract and he hasn't been sighted. That rubbish or rooted someone's sister/daughter?

And finally, how long is Samo out for with that finger? Might be time to put some tape on it and get him fucking well out there. We need some heavy hitters to man up next weekend or Vaea will stroll through us all night.

 

[Bowside]

well, for just over a year.

Even in those games in 08 and 09, a lot of the time we got ourselves in a position to win and were then just blown away in the last quarter. Tonight's performance was poor from the get go.

 

[Sully]

I think they tried their arses off and were just blown away by a great Tahs side

 

[Bullrush]

WTF has happened to the Reds in the few weeks from blowing the Crusaders and Brumbies away in the trial games to serving up tonight's shit?

I don't know who the Brumbies played in their trial game but I know that the Crusaders were pretty much stacked with no-namers in that trial. No-one should have really paid too much attention to that.

 

[vidiot]

I think they tried their arses off and were just blown away by a great Tahs side

If the Tahs maintain that form, the Reds (and the Rebels) will not be the only sides they smash this year.

OK, here's where I betray my eternal optimism.

I actually thought good, as the second half ticked on - the Reds have been smashed, and they have started to free themselves of what at times seemed like a fear of committing to the contest and particularly to attack last week and the 1st half this week.

They might have been doing so from the back foot, and struggling against a great defense, but I thought that there were glimpses of finding something again. It repeatedly broke down in the face of massive tackling/pressure and lack of composure, sure. On to next week.

 

[naza]

Why is Ben Daley, the worst ever scrummager in the history of Super rugby, starting ahead of Greg Holmes ? The scrummaging difference when Daley was subbed off was night & day. Holmes was very active & effective in general play also, so I'm baffled as to what's going on there.

 

[Sully]

It could be simple a case of the incumbents getting a chance to keep their positions. If that is the case then I would say that they have had their chances and it is now open slather.