Reds 2019

[Dan54]

On the crowd - I wonder if last season’s Brissie NRC side’s game being played at club grounds had something to do with it. Plenty of people (myself included) enjoyed going to different grounds to watch the local rounds but it did deny folk their Ballmore fix.

Yep Mungo, could be right, I also thought that perhaps it showed that some of the Reds supporters that seemed to be disappearing last year are still hopeful. I know there were a few Chiefs fans there, but was pleasantly surprised at how many kids etc were wearing their Reds gear. And I a Cane's supporter who just loves rugby, but it just gave me a little hope that all is not lost here in Qld , though I think the team will need a few early results to hold the support.

 

[Rugby follower]

Thornball doesn’t work at this level, it might work in the U15’s however not here. Duncan has to play 12 to provide some variation in attack and more importantly skill, have the big boppers around him.

 

[RedsHappy]

Ok my take on the game, agree Reds had a bloody good scrum. It was very much like watching the Reds of last year, I not sure that just having big backs and trying to run over top of teams works at this level of rugby, because I really didn't see an awful lot that suggests the Reds would use the ball to beat the man, didn't really look to have the skills to be honest, but as pointed out it only preseason so maybe... . For the Chiefs thought Debrecini went well at 10, as did Weber at 9, certainly lost cohesion after the break, I can see why they looking for another 10 with Falcon out for year as they played whole second half without a specialised 10 on the field. Thought their midfield was a little better than I feared they would be Nankivell looked not bad at 12, but still think they may struggle to end season ahead of the Blues in NZ conference , even allowing for having 6-7 ABs squad players out for preseason.

On a positive seemed quite a good crowd, certainly a lot more than the QRU had planned for!

Re the 2019 Reds' backline/attacking prowess: is a reasonable executive summary 'no evidence as yet that J McKay has changed much in terms of skills, tactics and execution'?

 

[jl75]

They lack direction and vision. It seemed like any opportunity was kicked away or run it straight. I love the reds but I can’t see us doing any better with that sort of mindset. The 9’s need to be more vocal, organised and direct. Not try and run all the time, or aimless kicking. Be a 9 not a ball player. Just my opinion.

 

[gel]

There can be no team better prepared for handling a bar of soap than the reds (assuming they actually train with a ball during the preseason).

 

[Rugby follower]

I definitely think the Reds have the right players capable of putting a string attacking game together, it just needs Duncan at 12 for it to work. The 12 and 13 that started last night won’t work, completely predictable .

 

[Jets]

Thought the attack looked better with Duncan at 12, liked the lines he ran, seemed to make a little more space for those outside him. Too much sideways movement in the first half, seemed to improve in the second half, might have been a few other factors to take into account, but it looked cleaner a sharper with Duncan at 12.

Great to see Lucas get a run and have some impact, not sure where he will fit in the final squad , but he is an exciting player.

Timu had good impact , but needs to work on ball security, lost the ball at least twice carrying like the league player he once was.

Good crowd at Ballymore, must have been unforeseen but welcomed by the QRU, can’t remember the last time I waited that long for a beer!

My hope for Lucas is that he spends as much time as possible in 20’s camps and playing Premier rugby so he can prepare for the JRWC. He’s the real deal and doesn’t need to be thrown in to soon. He’s my long term hope for a Reds 10 but only if he has time to develop. This is Stewart’s year and he needs to be given every chance to establish himself asa Super Rugby 10

 

[The Nomad]

Chris F-S and Kerevi basically play the same game and as plenty have said too predictable as a centre pairing. Having said that , thought CFS was good last night and had quite a few tackle busts and good post contact metres .

The whole backline structure changed with Duncan at 12, and yes the service was better inside him , but he varied his running lines that were all too predictable in the first half and it made a difference. Early in the second half was the first time I saw someone run back against the grain at an inside shoulder and actually make the defensive line prop a bit rather than just drift onto the next bloke with the ball, that was Paia’Aua and it created at least a little bit of a challenge defensively.

In terms of getting your best with ball in hand as often as possible, thought Petaia was totally under-utilised at 11, mind you the attack/handling in the first half meant he didn’t really see the ball.

So who gets to wear 12/13/15 come round 1? How do you fit CFS, Kerevi, Duncan and Petaia into the backline assuming Stewart starts at 10?

 

[dillyboy]

Maybe the below:


10 - Stewart
11 - CFS
12 - Duncan
13 - Kerevi
14 - Sefa
15 - Petaia

Edit: centres interchangeable depending on circumstances

 

[dru]

Maybe the below:


10 - Stewart
11 - CFS
12 - Duncan
13 - Kerevi
14 - Sefa
15 - Petaia

Edit: centres interchangeable depending on circumstances

I don't think DP can be DP at out center. He needs to be somewhere where a playmaker can make a difference.

 

[Rugby follower]

I don't think DP can be DP at out center. He needs to be somewhere where a playmaker can make a difference.

Duncan needs to be 12, just work the side around him

 

[TSR]

I’m not convinced on the premise that Kerevi is s better 12 then 13. That seems to be some amalgam of the belief that he could develop into our version of Nonu and that it hides his deficiencies better. I’m not sure on either of those - although I think his catch pass game does have potential.

To me, if you play Kerevi at 12 it is to allow Petaia to play at 13 which appears to be his spot for me, and if we are going to retain both players in the longer term it seems inevitable that Kerevi is moved to 12. To move Kerevi to 12 to accomodate CFS I’m not so keen on to be honest. I think CFS has shown that if he can stay on the field he still has something to offer at this level, but for me he is a winger or bench player for in the current Reds squad.

The only argument I can see for a Kerevi/CFS centre pairing is that it allows Kerevi to start developing his game at a 12 while holding Petaia at wing for a bit longer as he develops. In any case, I want Paia’aua on the field - possibly at 10, but preferably (for me) at 15 (Edit: only with Kerevi & Petaia as the centre pairing, otherwise Paia’aua at 12, Kerevi at 13). I’d persist with Stewart at 10 and have Hegarty off the bench. Paia’aua is our most creative player and, while he has possibly not come in the the level I hoped he would be in my first choice backline.

 

[Ash]

I think that a Kerevi at 12 needs a more Will Greenwood type at 13, which the Reds don't have.

I'd also have DP in my first choice backline. I just don't think that Thorn will. We'll see what impact McKay has in that regard, you'd hope that a little more than rookie coach (let alone head coach) would give a pretty free reign to an experienced and senior backline coach like McKay, but it's again something I can't see Thorn doing.

The level of backline play definitely needs to improve or any player wearing a number larger than 12 / 13 is just a waste in that backline for 99% of the game.

 

[Dan54]

Re the 2019 Reds' backline/attacking prowess: is a reasonable executive summary 'no evidence as yet that J McKay has changed much in terms of skills, tactics and execution'?

I would agree with that completely RedH, but am quite prepared to say it early so won't judge them to harshly.

 

[Up the Guts]

Needs to be DP 12, Kerevi 13 imho (as much as I want to see Petaia at 13). DP at 12 takes some of the playmaking pressure off Stewart and means the attack is not so one dimensional. Kerevi also gets more one on one opportunities at 13. He makes metres at 12 but he’s much more likely to make line breaks at 13 without the heavy traffic.

 

[southsider]

11) CFS
12) Kerevi
13) Petaia
14) Sefa
15) DP

Let’s you continue the development of the centre pairing, playing them in their best positions and giving the best chance of making the wallabies

DP can still playmake, gives him more room for his running game, gets all your best players on the field and gives a much needed kicker in the back 3

 

[dru]

11) CFS
12) Kerevi
13) Petaia
14) Sefa
15) DP

Let’s you continue the development of the centre pairing, playing them in their best positions and giving the best chance of making the wallabies

DP can still playmake, gives him more room for his running game, gets all your best players on the field and gives a much needed kicker in the back 3

You can use an in-play kicker at 12 too.

 

[TSR]

Also I would rather see them run Daugunu on the wing at this stage. I know his defence needed work, but so does CFS and Daugunu is better in attack IMO.

 

[southsider]

You can use an in-play kicker at 12 too.

You can use a kicker anywhere in the backline.......

 

[upthereds#!]

Last year, it was clear that a bash brothers centre pairing wasn't going to work. Kerevi may have some skill, but he doesn't have the decision making and tactical nous to play 12. When to pass, when not to, etc. Especially not without a brainiac 13 outside him, like a C.Smith or AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

Put DP back to 12 and Kerevi to 13. At least until Stewat gets better and Hegarty get's more comfortable.

1. Smith 2. Amosa 3. Thor
4. Rodda 5. Tui
6. Timu 8. Higs 7. Wright
9. Mcdermott 10. Stewart 11. Petaia 12. DP 13. Kerevi 14. Naivalu 15. Hegarty

16. Mafi 17. Fotuaika 18. Smith 19. Hockings 20. ASY (Angus Scott-Young) 21. AK (Andrew Kellaway) 22. Sorovi 23. Daugunu/Sautia
(or leave AK (Andrew Kellaway) out, with 20. Sorovi 21. Mcgahan 23. Daugunu