Reds 2013

[Purce]

As much as the Reds need Genia I really hope they don't rush him back and end up doing more harm than good... either to his confidence or to his knee.

 

[Purce]

Reds Team is up early....

St.George Queensland Reds v Hurricanes Team
1. Greg Holmes
2. Saia Fainga'a
3. James Slipper (c)
4. Rob Simmons
5. Ed O’Donoghue
6. Eddie Quirk
7. Liam Gill
8. Jake Schatz
9. Ben Lucas
10. Quade Cooper
11. Digby Ioane
12. Ben Tapuai (vc)
13. Chris Feauai-Sautia
14. Dom Shipperley
15. Aidan Toua​

16. James Hanson
17. Albert Anae
18. Adam Wallace-Harrison
19. Radike Samo
20. Nick Frisby
21. Mike Harris
22. Luke Morahan
​

 

[humanbeast]

Why can't we start with Hanson?

 

[tranquility]

Reds Team is up early..

9. Ben Lucas​

10. Quade Cooper​

11. Digby Ioane​

12. Ben Tapuai (vc)​

13. Chris Feauai-Sautia​

14. Dom Shipperley​

15. Aidan Toua​

​

I have mooted this backline over the last couple of weeks, and god I am excited about it. Aidan is THAT good, and Link must be a true believer. I'm dizzy.

 

[Set piece magic]

I am a big fan of Hanson but no one can deny that Saia was pretty close to outstanding on Saturday. Got through plenty of work in tight and made some dominant tackles which we haven't seen in a while

 

[emuarse]

I have mooted this backline over the last couple of weeks, and god I am excited about it. Aidan is THAT good, and Link must be a true believer. I'm dizzy.

Yeah, I like this set of backs for the potential speed it brings into the Reds play.
And I think that's going to be needed against the Hurricanes.
I hope its a dry track.

 

[Penguin]

I am a big fan of Hanson but no one can deny that Saia was pretty close to outstanding on Saturday. Got through plenty of work in tight and made some dominant tackles which we haven't seen in a while

Unfortunately his lineout throwing wasn't up to scratch though.

 

[Sully]

One is not clearly better than the other. THe coaches clearly think Fainga'a is a better starter and Hanson is a finisher. Can't see the problem myself.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

CFS will have a big test this weekend. If he can contain Conrad smith and do well in attack....he should, be the red shirts choice going forward

 

[liquor box]

Unfortunately his lineout throwing wasn't up to scratch though.

or the jumpers could not catch, I thought his bad throws were exagerated by the commentry and that if the ball is in the right spot and you lose or the ball is stolen it is not the hookers fault

 

[liquor box]

Why can't we start with Hanson?

I think Link probably wants the best team on the field (massive Saia fan here!). I too would like to see a change, I would like to see Hanson start a game and see how he goes for 60 minutes against a starting team, and I would like to also see how Saia goes against a tired bench team for 20 minutes.

It is almost a different game by the time Hanson comes on normally, I want to be able to compare apples with apples

 

[redstragic]

One is not clearly better than the other. THe coaches clearly think Fainga'a is a better starter and Hanson is a finisher. Can't see the problem myself.

Saia gets around and smashes blokes like a sledgehammer in defense, he hurt many a tah on the weekend. Hanson loves the fight in tight and closes out the game pretty well I reckon. They both bring a lot to the Reds.

 

[RugbyReg]

remember the selection of the bench is not always about how the coach wants to start the game, but also how they want to finish it.

I thought Hanson, Anae, Butler were all fantastic when they came on against the Tahs.

 

[Sandpit Fan]

remember the selection of the bench is not always about how the coach wants to start the game, but also how they want to finish it.

I thought Hanson, Anae, Butler were all fantastic when they came on against the Tahs.

Anae was a bit of a revelation when he came on, made some good runs. Glad to see we have given up on the idea of using him as a hooker.

Butler out injured? Any news on what the problem is?

 

[tranquility]

Anae was a bit of a revelation when he came on, made some good runs. Glad to see we have given up on the idea of using him as a hooker.

Butler out injured? Any news on what the problem is?

I agree, he must have had a massive off-season. He was so strong on the counter-ruck leading up to Quirks run away train impression.

 

[USARugger]

I have mooted this backline over the last couple of weeks, and god I am excited about it. Aidan is THAT good, and Link must be a true believer. I'm dizzy.

The sheer firepower at 10-15 in this lineup has me watering at the mouth...

I really do like Ant and what he brings to our backs in terms of organizing the defense and creating turnovers to provide broken play opportunities for Quade, etc but if Link and the Reds staff have truly fixed the mechanical issues with CFS' running style he has the potential to be one of the greatest players QLD has ever produced. I haven't seen nearly as much of Aidan (access to domestic and 3rd-tier competition in Oz for an American is extremely limited) but what I have heard of him has me very, very excited.

Really though watching those few runs CFS had against the 'Tahs where he was stepping and bumping 4-6 tacklers in the space of a few metres had me giddy last weekend, the kid is an animal.

I am a big fan of Hanson but no one can deny that Saia was pretty close to outstanding on Saturday. Got through plenty of work in tight and made some dominant tackles which we haven't seen in a while

Have to agree with you here, normally I think Saia floats between being a grafter and occasionally being a little anonymous but I was following CFS with some intent while I watched the game and Saia still stood out to me for most of the match. He was coming out of the line harder than I've ever seen him and was hammering some blokes at the gain line, and pushing them behind it on occasion. He even caught up to Mitchell when he nearly made a half-break after a little defensive lapse by the man outside Saia (although this may be down to Mitchell still not quite having his first few steps of pace back yet).

 

[Hardtackle]

Supposed to have been cleared to play. CFS would have to be on Shipperleys wing if he were to be 'unleashed'. Not sure that will happen but if the Reds can't get space out wide again it could be a good substitution. Shipperley is a great finisher but needs to start getting off his wing.

Never got around to saying thanks - so thanks.

 

[No4918]

Never got around to saying thanks - so thanks.

Your welcome, though not for the reminder about those Shipperley comments who obviously read my post and set about to prove me spectacularly wrong.

 

[Jets]

Really like the team. Also the bench is stronger with Samo on it in my opinion as it gives us a strong ball runner to come on late in the game.

On the Hanson selection I think he will be used to start against the SA teams when they will look to play things tight early so Saia can come on late to do his thing. It's a horses for courses thing.

 

[emuarse]

The sheer firepower at 10-15 in this lineup has me watering at the mouth.



Really though watching those few runs CFS had against the 'Tahs where he was stepping and bumping 4-6 tacklers in the space of a few metres had me giddy last weekend, the kid is an animal.

Actually a 'beast'. Hence his nick name.