Reds 2011

[DPK]

Yeah, but how many has Beale kicked? It must only be 3 or 4 attempts.

 

[Scotty]

Is Quade currently the form kicker of the Australian teams?

His kicking has certainly improved a lot from last year (in technique and results).

Looks to be inversely proportionate to his defense though.

 

[Scotty]

Anyone else see a possible option of a backrow of the following in future Reds games:

6 Robinson
7 Gill
8 Higginbotham

Robinson's running and linking would also work at 6, Gill would put a lot of pressure on at the breakdown and Higginbotham outplayed Houston at 8 to my eye. Would be funny to see if this happened, as it would be coming full circle from the first game and Links initial game plan.

 

[Redsfan]

Anyone else see a possible option of a backrow of the following in future Reds games:

6 Robinson
7 Gill
8 Higginbotham

Robinson's running and linking would also work at 6, Gill would put a lot of pressure on at the breakdown and Higginbotham outplayed Houston at 8 to my eye. Would be funny to see if this happened, as it would be coming full circle from the first game and Links initial game plan.

To be honest mate, I'd rather not see it. An unbalanced backrow is still unbalanced, no matter which way it's skewed. I wasn't able to see the game fully last night, but the starting backrow seemed to work well enough, and had a reasonable balance to it.

 

[tranquility]

To be honest mate, I'd rather not see it. An unbalanced backrow is still unbalanced, no matter which way it's skewed. I wasn't able to see the game fully last night, but the starting backrow seemed to work well enough, and had a reasonable balance to it.

I agree, Gill looked good (so did quirk) but let's just nurse them through the first season, build them up slowly. The starting backrow dominated the brumbies (although they were very undermanned) and it would be poor form to drop any of them. As a fan though, it is just great to see the reds winning games like this, the tough ones - it shows that the group is maturing. Winning in canberra makes me a very happy man.

 

[Spewn]

I only agree to let Gill have more game time if Robinson refuses to have those awful chestal tatts lasered off.

 

[TOCC]

I only agree to let Gill have more game time if Robinson refuses to have those awful chestal tatts lasered off.

I think one of those chest tattoos is of his brother who passed away...

I watched Gill specifically when he came on, he displayed that he definitely has a good rugby nous, he looked right at home and wasn't overawed by the situation. He does stand the chance to be physically outdone against some of the bigger teams though if he starts the game(in terms of been cleared out at the breakdown when trying to perform a turnover), i think his niche for 2011 will be coming off the bench when the opposition is a bit tired and slower to the breakdown.

Robison did exactly what was needed of him, he secured a few turnover balls, made some good cover tackles and slowed the opposition ball down at times, i think he has warranted another start in the jersey. No disrespect to Quirk, but i think his playing style is more of a blindside flanker then a openside, which currently doesnt suit the Reds requirements.

 

[tranquility]

Quirky can be just as effective coming off the bench if we keep play a 5:2 split, I guess Shatz will come into the backrow mix as well. Something that is interesting that I missed on first glance is that right at the end of the game, Higgers backs in at lock. I think it has been spoken about before, but I have never seen in done in a game. The scrums (or was it scrum?) he packed in weren't particularly effective, but it is good to see that he is developing and taking on more responsibility.

 

[TOCC]

Well Van Humphries went off injured later in the match after dislocating his thumb, and AWH was already on the field for Simmons, so moving Higgers to lock was the only sensible option i guess.

 

[Gagger]

Agree that Beau had a good game at 7 in a more "over" rather than "on" the ball way. Destructive in defence at the ruck as well.

Really don't think Higgers has the ability to make the yards in traffic from 8, but looked better again with more width at 6. I think Leroy's the default at 8 at the moment

 

[Scotty]

There was at least one occasion that he did make some yards at 8. As. Many as Leroy had. I still think Houston has a tendency to be lazy.

 

[GC]

It doesn't matter who is in the backrow or whether it is balanced or not; if Van Humphries continues to let loose with his Churchill-style oratory mid game, the Reds will win by pure heart alone.

However, I'd stick with the current backrow for appearance's sake.

 

[TOCC]

Slipper only had a cork, he will be right for the next match, Van dislocated his thumb but should be good to go as well...

 

[Spewn]

I think one of those chest tattoos is of his brother who passed away...

I watched Gill specifically when he came on, he displayed that he definitely has a good rugby nous, he looked right at home and wasn't overawed by the situation. He does stand the chance to be physically outdone against some of the bigger teams though if he starts the game(in terms of been cleared out at the breakdown when trying to perform a turnover), i think his niche for 2011 will be coming off the bench when the opposition is a bit tired and slower to the breakdown.

Robison did exactly what was needed of him, he secured a few turnover balls, made some good cover tackles and slowed the opposition ball down at times, i think he has warranted another start in the jersey. No disrespect to Quirk, but i think his playing style is more of a blindside flanker then a openside, which currently doesnt suit the Reds requirements.

If that's correct TOCC about the tatts then all withdrawn and I'll shut up for good.

 

[Wantok]

I agree , when Van Humphries gets the crazy eyes out they seem to get fired up = more crazy eyes needed !

 

[Reddy!]

Is it me, or does Genia seem to play 50% better when he is captain?

 

[Red Rooster]

Is it me, or does Genia seem to play 50% better when he is captain?

Well he wasn't going to be worse after the tahs game - none of them were there was only going to be upside.

 

[spectator]

Not a hell of a lot to talk about at the Reds with the bye this weekend, so taking a leaf out of Lee Grant's book, thought I might throw in a few comments about some of the Qld A players that I saw running around in the recent Pacific Cup matches against Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, who might be worthy of a call up during the season. The Qld side had the opportunity to win all of these games but youth and inexperience might have cost them. Still a great learning experience for all, and there are definitely some good un's there:

Dom Shipperley - Big and fast winger who had a few strong runs during the series. If anything needs to work on his positioning in defence.
Kimami Sitauti - Another big and strong winger who should back his size a bit more as he can be quite a destructive runner. Needs to work on his passing game but is a good finisher.
Jonno Lance - Played two games and covered 12 and 13. Great defender, direct runner, strong kicker and good hands. Love to see him on the bench at some stage during the season as he will provide great utility value, and I reckon he is ready for the step up. His Seven's experience will help him and I hope the Reds can hang on to him.
Ben Tapuai - Just needs his break as he is ready for Super 15. Reasonably versatile and very dependable in both attack and defence.
Ian Prior - Looks like the long term back up 9 for Genia, given Lucas' utility use. Has a good pass, seems very organised, but did struggle at times behind a pack that didn't have it all it's own way against Tonga. Having said that he did fine in the trials so would be worth a bench spot sometime during the season.
Dave McDuling - Great work ethic and very focused. Would make the step up and hope he gets a full contract next year.
Guy Sheperdson - Looks fit and was vice captain for a couple of games. Would have to be a chance of a few S15 games this year.
Ben Coridas - Back from injury but a hard bugger who goes alright.
Jarrad Butler - Like the look of this young backrower and from all reports he did well against the Runners last week. Definitely one to watch.
Albert Anae - Don't know that he is ready to be aS15 hooker just yet, but he steadily improved over the course of the three matches and I heard he went well in Canberra. Love to see him with more agression.

Gill was obviously impressive and earned a bench spot for the last game, as did Morahan, who did a swap with Toua last week, and Wallace-Harrison. Hopefully Schatz's injury is not a recurrence of the one that had him out of action for so long, as he also is obviously S15 material.

Have to think about others but the guys mentioned above give the Reds decent depth in a season where Link will inevitably have to call for backup from time to time.

 

[Rugby Fan]

Rugby Fan

Interesting.Queenskand A had a big win over the Brumby Runners in the cutrain raiser on Saturdauy

 

[chief]

Horwill is expected to be back for the Rebels game.

So Genia or Horwill, have to reignite the debate.

Genia for me.