In past seasons I've been a bit critical about the Reds lack of a blockbusting ball runner in the forward pack and specifically whether Schatz deserves his spot in the starting team due to his overly workmanlike attitude.
I've decided to let that go this season though as I'm pretty confident that the forwards in the squad and their mostly workmanlike attitude on the field should mix well with the back line this year. Its fairly obvious this season, more than others in recent memory, that the Reds are valuing ability to score tries in the backs over a dominant forward pack. They seem to have assembled a team which is capable of doing this.
If the forwards are able to retain quality ball, and on paper at least most of them look to be the type of players who are valued in that area, then I think the backs have a enough spark to wear down an opposition defense or preferably, score some long range trys through Kerevi, Nabuli and Laloifi. It also makes sense for them to sign a high quality goal kicker in the irk of Goromaru as the longer the forwards can keep position there is probably a higher likely hood of getting a kickable penalty.
