Reds 2011
- Thread starter Lee Grant
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R
Redsfan
Guest
From where I was sitting, and my seat wasn't very good, it was extremely difficult to see anything of promise from the Reds. A bit of broken field running when the game was lost, but that's it. How many loops did they try to create overlaps? It was ridiculous. We went in with a poor gameplan and no capacity to alter it. Enough has been said about the forwards performance, so I won't add to that.
T
tranquility
Guest
Alright, my thoughts in a nutshell.
Horwill should not play 6 anymore. Regardless of how well he plays, it completely unbalances the pack.
Quirk is not a 7. Beau needs to start at 7 (he looked good when he came on) Gill needs to get experience from the bench this season.
Chambers is a good player, however he needs to be dropped to get his head right.
Digby needs to play 13 because Finger can not get us across the gain line unless our pack are dominating.
Finger needs to sort his shit out in attack and defense (not tackling) otherwise Tapuai needs to get his shot.
Toua is probably the most creative outside pack in the squad, needs to be in the side.
Would also like to see Greg Holmes start, but I am happy to persist with Daley.
Horwill should not play 6 anymore. Regardless of how well he plays, it completely unbalances the pack.
Quirk is not a 7. Beau needs to start at 7 (he looked good when he came on) Gill needs to get experience from the bench this season.
Chambers is a good player, however he needs to be dropped to get his head right.
Digby needs to play 13 because Finger can not get us across the gain line unless our pack are dominating.
Finger needs to sort his shit out in attack and defense (not tackling) otherwise Tapuai needs to get his shot.
Toua is probably the most creative outside pack in the squad, needs to be in the side.
Would also like to see Greg Holmes start, but I am happy to persist with Daley.
I almost agree with everything you say except for Daley. He has been persisted with enough.
L
Lachlan
Guest
Tick, tick and tick - although I would bench Ben Daley gladly simply because he can't scrummage. Puzzling that Link didn't make all of these changes after round 1, as all of these points were evident against the Force. One more addition - Ben Lucas should cover 9 only and nothing more- otherwise drop him from the bench. The bloke has ticker and a bit of nous but he is at least 10kg's too light and gets smashed / loses the pill in contact every time.
Those in the know were keen to point out last year that all the Reds backline razzle dazzle only came about on the back of the pack - and they were right. Think about the Bulls and Chiefs games when the forwards took control and muscled up.
So what's different this year? Theoretically, the pack's a year on with a good few Wallaby tourists in there. Like the Tahs you'd be hoping for more, not seeing less.
The only clear difference I can see is Daniel Braid, and I'm starting to see think his loss must have had even more of an impact then we'd have thought. Obviously he is a good player, and was a real "turn shit ball into good ball" go to man. But it seems to me the Reds may be missing him for two further reasons:
Give the kids a run at 7, put Higgers back at 6 (although, I have a ? hanging over him anyway - maybe Quirk?) and find another option at 8 to help out Leroy for when he gets puffed out - SAAAMO?
So what's different this year? Theoretically, the pack's a year on with a good few Wallaby tourists in there. Like the Tahs you'd be hoping for more, not seeing less.
The only clear difference I can see is Daniel Braid, and I'm starting to see think his loss must have had even more of an impact then we'd have thought. Obviously he is a good player, and was a real "turn shit ball into good ball" go to man. But it seems to me the Reds may be missing him for two further reasons:
- His leadership qualities: a shitload of experience and leader by example among quite a few greenhorns. Sounds like he also schooled the dark arts pretty well too. I suspect he was the true captain of the pack at least
- The imbalance his loss has caused. As previously discussed, I think Link has rolled the die in this one and it hasn't worked out so far. Higgenbotham has been ineffectual at 8 and Kev is looking a dynamic lock, not a flanker. Without a seasoned fetcher, 6 needs to be able to share some of that load at the breakdown.
Give the kids a run at 7, put Higgers back at 6 (although, I have a ? hanging over him anyway - maybe Quirk?) and find another option at 8 to help out Leroy for when he gets puffed out - SAAAMO?
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Lachlan
Guest
Too true. The loss is compounded by the absence of Weeks who was truly awesome around the park. The bloke got over the gain line as well as finding gaps and making line breaks. Not only that but he was very good at controlling his body position in contact so as to fall the right way and present clean ball - a very underatted skill for a player to have. Nice hands for a big fella too. Shit, he may put Cipriani out of a job if he can learn to kick!
Higgers & Quirk should be competing for the same jumper, and I think Higgers may have it slightly over Quirk at this stage. To use Link's way of thinking (starters v finishers) Quirk is the kinda bloke you want on in the last 20 because he's explosive in contact which plays out much more favourably against tiring defence.
spectator
Bob Davidson (42)
Qld A v. Tonga A tonight at Ballymore will be a good chance for a number of guys to press their claims for selection in the main squad this week, particularly given the injury list from the Tah's clash. Not sure if I will get there but it would be good to get a report from someone. Particularly interested in how Sheperdson goes at prop, Gill at openside, and Prior at halfback.
spectator
Bob Davidson (42)
Thought I would cut and paste Qld A chat and take it out of the Brumbies v Reds thread.
here's the QLD A team to play Tonga tonight:
QAS Reds 2nd XV team (from fullback): Luke Morahan, Kimami Sitauti, Simon Morahan, Ben Tapuai (c), Dom Shipperley, Matt Brandon, Ian Prior, Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Ben Coridas, Adam Wallace-Harrison, David McDuling, Guy Shepherdson (vc), Albert Anae, Kevin Davis
Reserves: Andrew Coady, Shon Siemonek, Sam Denny, Tim Buchanan, Blake Enever, Nick Frisby, Mitchell Felsman
you'd think Morahan, Tapuia, the two young wingers maybe, Schatz, Gill, possibly Coridas, both locks, and Shepherdson are al serious contenders for the squad to take on the Brumbies.
Who has been performing better between Shipperley and Morahan? I know Morahan will be picked first, and so he should - but it sounds as if Dominic is doing some good things. Shatz has to play this week. I love the thought that Shep is preparing to rip shreds off people because he can see an opportunity.
Not taking squad balance into account, who do we think is the number two, 12 in the squad pecking order? Tapuai or Harris? Ruggo also asked about the Anae experiment at hooker.
The way I see it:
Anae has a lot of work to do with his set piece play, particularly lineout throwing. He is still trying to make a transition from Prop. Having said that, he is good in general play, and his bulk makes him more effective in contact than S. Finger.
Morahan didn't have his best game in the trial against Fiji but was a lot better against the Samoan side. I can't remember what opportunities Shipperley had in the first game, but he ran the ball strongly against Samoa for good yards. Given his time at fullback Morahan probably offers more versatility at this stage as well as actual experience at the top level.
As for the 12 slot, I haven't seen a lot of Harris play, but what I've seen he is more a second five, in the Barnes mould, with the astute kicking and passing game. In Cairns he also showed a good turn of pace and a willingness to run the ball. He is also reputedly the best goalkicker in the squad. Tapuai's style of play is more like Fainga'a's, and he can be relied on to crash it up, but he does have a decent running game, and has shown a decent boot on occasion. Probably go with Tapuai as the second 12, but only because Harris is a relative unknown quantity there.
here's the QLD A team to play Tonga tonight:
QAS Reds 2nd XV team (from fullback): Luke Morahan, Kimami Sitauti, Simon Morahan, Ben Tapuai (c), Dom Shipperley, Matt Brandon, Ian Prior, Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Ben Coridas, Adam Wallace-Harrison, David McDuling, Guy Shepherdson (vc), Albert Anae, Kevin Davis
Reserves: Andrew Coady, Shon Siemonek, Sam Denny, Tim Buchanan, Blake Enever, Nick Frisby, Mitchell Felsman
you'd think Morahan, Tapuia, the two young wingers maybe, Schatz, Gill, possibly Coridas, both locks, and Shepherdson are al serious contenders for the squad to take on the Brumbies.
Who has been performing better between Shipperley and Morahan? I know Morahan will be picked first, and so he should - but it sounds as if Dominic is doing some good things. Shatz has to play this week. I love the thought that Shep is preparing to rip shreds off people because he can see an opportunity.
Not taking squad balance into account, who do we think is the number two, 12 in the squad pecking order? Tapuai or Harris? Ruggo also asked about the Anae experiment at hooker.
The way I see it:
Anae has a lot of work to do with his set piece play, particularly lineout throwing. He is still trying to make a transition from Prop. Having said that, he is good in general play, and his bulk makes him more effective in contact than S. Finger.
Morahan didn't have his best game in the trial against Fiji but was a lot better against the Samoan side. I can't remember what opportunities Shipperley had in the first game, but he ran the ball strongly against Samoa for good yards. Given his time at fullback Morahan probably offers more versatility at this stage as well as actual experience at the top level.
As for the 12 slot, I haven't seen a lot of Harris play, but what I've seen he is more a second five, in the Barnes mould, with the astute kicking and passing game. In Cairns he also showed a good turn of pace and a willingness to run the ball. He is also reputedly the best goalkicker in the squad. Tapuai's style of play is more like Fainga'a's, and he can be relied on to crash it up, but he does have a decent running game, and has shown a decent boot on occasion. Probably go with Tapuai as the second 12, but only because Harris is a relative unknown quantity there.
MrMouse
Bob Loudon (25)
You sure as shit need a good 7 of the traditional mould. Not sure that even 6. Higgers 7. Robinson/Gill 8. Houston would have the right balance though. It's a major weakness in your team atm. You'd say Morahan, Schatz, and perhaps Dave McDuling are strong odds...
Tangawizi
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Reds Academy side can't seem to crack it for a win. Down by 1 to a late penalty tonight.
http://www.redsrugby.com.au/NewsEvents/NewsArticles/tabid/581/ArticleID/1562/Default.aspx
http://www.redsrugby.com.au/NewsEvents/NewsArticles/tabid/581/ArticleID/1562/Default.aspx
Reddy!
Bob Davidson (42)
Agreed, he needs to take on the responsiblity of being a ball carryer and search for opportunities on field to have an impact rather than waiting for the ball to come his way, or a runner to come his way to tackle.
L
leftside
Guest
was at the game tonight and thought it lacked was a serious step down from super 15 standard. a few points however:
- Tapuai was definitely the go-to man in the backline, always getting over the advantage line. he did drop a couple of balls though, but was the best back on the field.
- Prior was solid at halfback, however i thought the backline was more fluent when Nick Frisby came on, he looks a bit bigger since last year.
- Gill is exactly what the reds need; he was always the first to the breakdown, and although only got a couple of steals, he disrupted the opposition ball and ensured fast ball for QLD
- Shipperley looked pretty solid, with a QLD backline of Cooper and Genia going forward I can see Shipperley playing quite well
- Tapuai was definitely the go-to man in the backline, always getting over the advantage line. he did drop a couple of balls though, but was the best back on the field.
- Prior was solid at halfback, however i thought the backline was more fluent when Nick Frisby came on, he looks a bit bigger since last year.
- Gill is exactly what the reds need; he was always the first to the breakdown, and although only got a couple of steals, he disrupted the opposition ball and ensured fast ball for QLD
- Shipperley looked pretty solid, with a QLD backline of Cooper and Genia going forward I can see Shipperley playing quite well
T
tranquility
Guest
I like this post alot.
spectator
Bob Davidson (42)
Gill was again very quick to the breakdown last night and could be worth a punt off the bench. Reckon he would at least hold his own against Salvi or Fainga'a, his likely opponents in Canberra. Having said that, Robinson was the best Red's forward when he got on the field last week. Big question is whether the team can afford to carry Two specialist fetchers?
Back to the game, and I thought that Wallace-Harrison was very solid in his first game and he got better as the game went on. His locking partner McDuling was again in the thick of things. I like his work ethic a lot.
Ben Tapuai was the pick of the backs with his strong running and tackling. Good to see his kicking game was more judicious this week. The back three of Morahan, Sitauti and Shipperley were solid and showed glimpses of good play.
As expected, Jake Schatz came off at halftime, so expect him named in the 22 for this weekend. Other guys rested early were Sheperdson and Prior. Not sure what to read into that. Nick Frisby looked good as the replacement half. Feldsman also got run with about 20 to go, replacing Shipperley.
Tonga played a very forward oriented game to good effect, making effective yards in the tight stuff and deserved their win.
Qld A's next game is against the Brumby Runners on 5th March.
Back to the game, and I thought that Wallace-Harrison was very solid in his first game and he got better as the game went on. His locking partner McDuling was again in the thick of things. I like his work ethic a lot.
Ben Tapuai was the pick of the backs with his strong running and tackling. Good to see his kicking game was more judicious this week. The back three of Morahan, Sitauti and Shipperley were solid and showed glimpses of good play.
As expected, Jake Schatz came off at halftime, so expect him named in the 22 for this weekend. Other guys rested early were Sheperdson and Prior. Not sure what to read into that. Nick Frisby looked good as the replacement half. Feldsman also got run with about 20 to go, replacing Shipperley.
Tonga played a very forward oriented game to good effect, making effective yards in the tight stuff and deserved their win.
Qld A's next game is against the Brumby Runners on 5th March.
T
TOCC
Guest
Prior will likely move to the bench if they decide to start Ben Lucas at fullback
Godfrey
Phil Hardcastle (33)
My only other major observation from the 2nd XV was a bit of disappointment with Sitauti. He needs to remember he has shoulders. With a try, and the game, looming on the Tongan line he just stood there behind the ruck and let a Tongan pinch the ball. Mate, if a wide play gets stopped and you're the only one there you must clear out. He had one good head on tackle against a big lock but other than that he seems to avoid contact too much. Behind Shipperley and Felsman.
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
Better to have one 7 in the run on and one on the bench than no 7 in the run on at all.
McDuling sounds like he will make the bench soon, but I would guess not this week. But one more limp display from Simmons and Humphries and you can put the house on it.
You would think that Shatz and Prior will at least make the bench, along with Shepherdson. The Brumbies scrum is very strong this year, with the only weakness being Alexander. I expect Holmes and Hanson to start with Daley out and Fainga'a to the bench. Slipper/Shepherdson starting is a toss-up. I'd go Shepherdson to make a point, but maybe Slipper and bring on Shepherdson at the first sign of trouble.
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