Reds 2020

[Cancelled Account]

RR go back a couple of years further and the Reds were talking up Jake McIntyre as the next big thing at No 10. I'd really hate to be a prospective No 10 at the Reds based on the way Stewart and McIntyre were both discarded. After all the hype piled onto Lucas last year and in the U20s (where incidentally, he mostly played 15), we now have this call after one game starting at 10 for Lucas to be replaced by Hegarty or the next big thing, Gordon. I suspect Thorn will present a deaf ear to those calls.

Agree. I’d still like to see McIntyre at the Reds with Stewart being groomed. Gordon’s only 18 so another year or two in Prems before we push another great player overseas. Lucas is not a flyhalf IMO.
Brumbies in the same conundrum. I think Bayley Kenuzle is your long term flyhalf.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Petaia is still building his minutes I understand, but jeez, Paisami is looking the goods and probably played better in the 20 he was on then the 60 Petaia received

Yes Petaia was invisible but coming back from injury can’t expect too much I guess

 

[wamberal]

Yes Petaia was invisible but coming back from injury can’t expect too much I guess

He had no room at all to work in, partly good defence but also some inept work by those inside him. The Reds needed to do a bit more work inside him I reckon.

 

[RugbyReg]

RR go back a couple of years further and the Reds were talking up Jake McIntyre as the next big thing at No 10. I'd really hate to be a prospective No 10 at the Reds based on the way Stewart and McIntyre were both discarded. After all the hype piled onto Lucas last year and in the U20s (where incidentally, he mostly played 15), we now have this call after one game starting at 10 for Lucas to be replaced by Hegarty or the next big thing, Gordon. I suspect Thorn will present a deaf ear to those calls.

No one was talking up McIntryre as the next big thing.

The same people suggesting moving Lucas to 15 and Hegarty to 10 are mostly the same people who wanted it that way before this match.

 

[dru]

No one was talking up McIntryre as the next big thing.

My recollection does not concur.

RR go back a couple of years further and the Reds were talking up Jake McIntyre as the next big thing at No 10. I'd really hate to be a prospective No 10 at the Reds based on the way Stewart and McIntyre were both discarded. After all the hype piled onto Lucas last year and in the U20s (where incidentally, he mostly played 15), we now have this call after one game starting at 10 for Lucas to be replaced by Hegarty or the next big thing, Gordon. I suspect Thorn will present a deaf ear to those calls.

What it suggests to me is the the Reds coaching staff did not have either the right stock or more likely the ability to build a good 10. I'm hoping that this has changed and improved with Jim McKay. We really should not be discounting Lucas after an introduction of one game in Super. We have made our bed and now need to lie in it.

That does not mean hanging on obstinately as with Stewart and Jake. We are nowhere near that right now and I quite like the supporting game structures in place through JOC (James O'Connor) and Heggarty. None of this stops The Reds developing Gordon in the background with the guy having full intent on taking over the slot.

For now let the game selections intend to work Lucas into the role. It does not mean we have to start him every game, but he needs consistent game time at 10 and at least some opportunity starting.

 

[Adam84]

It is a bit ridiculous writing Lucas off as a flyhalf after one game.

My take is he struggled with the rushing defence, but he never seemed to lose composure or crumble under the pressure which is significant. I think the Reds second man play which worked well against the Tahs in the trial simply misfired last night, players were passing to where they thought their man was supposed to be and completely missing, and that’s what much of their backline play was built on during the Tahs trial.

 

[Cancelled Account]

I disagree Dru. Lucas in not a flyhalf. Lucas’ skills are best developed moving him into fullback now before we break his Super Rugby confidence by flogging a dead horse. Lucas can be world class if we get his mind adapted to a position he is skilled in. Directional kicking needs work but all other traits are all there. His elusiveness and step are top class. I love Lucas as a player but not flyhalf. Lucas doesn’t have the game management that is needed at this level. I think it’s something you’re born with not trained to do. Let’s elevate the kid and not set him up to fail. Last night he was rattled and couldn’t get on top of the game.

 

[Adam84]

Is Hegarty been made to be something he isn't, he hardly cemented the 2020 fly-half position as his own based on his 2019 performances, in my memory he he never demonstrated the level of game-control or playmaking from fly-half that the Reds need to challenge in the championship. Its hard to see his potential becoming anything more then it has, whereas I believe Lucas has a much higher ceiling at this point.

The grass isn't always greener...

 

[Cancelled Account]

Hegarty and JOC (James O'Connor) are good at controlling the game and it’s tempo. That’s what a good flyhalf does. Hegarty is a safe player and knows when to kick accurately into touch when the pressure is on our forwards. His passing meets his runners on the chest which those seconds are valuable in getting over the line. Lucas doesn’t have these skills. Lucas is a runner.

 

[PhilClinton]

Is Hegarty been made to be something he isn't, he hardly cemented the fly-half position as his own during 2019, in my memory he he never demonstrated the level of game-control or playmaking from fly-half that the Reds need to challenge in the championship. Its hard to see his potential becoming anything more then it has, whereas I believe Lucas has a much higher ceiling at this point.

The grass isn't always greener.

Fairly ridiculous assessment of Hegarty in 2019. How exactly did he not cement his spot? What other 10s were knocking on the door? Are you discounting his goal kicking as well? One of the highest percentages in the comp. If anything I think his game control was excellent but he lacked x-factor.

Lucas no doubt has talent but he’s the one who’s far from cemented his spot in the starting side so far, with plenty of room to grow.

 

[Adam84]

Fairly ridiculous assessment of Hegarty in 2019. How exactly did he not cement his spot? What other 10s were knocking on the door? Are you discounting his goal kicking as well? One of the highest percentages in the comp. If anything I think his game control was excellent but he lacked x-factor.

Lucas no doubt has talent but he’s the one who’s far from cemented his spot in the starting side so far, with plenty of room to grow.

Im saying his 2019 performance at fly-half didn't cement it as his own for this season, I don't think its a ridiculous statement and Im not discounting his goal kicking at all, I think he still has an important place in the team at fullback

absolutely Lucas hasn't cemented his spot as fly-half either, no one has, hence why we're still having these discussions

 

[Bobby Sands]

So BPA out of the tour. Farrell straight in? Take 3 hookers perhaps just in case?

Who is our fourth hooker now that Efi is at the Sunwolves?

For what it’s worth I see the merit in sticking with Lucas but really rate the control of Hegarty at 10. He’s a very mature player, and his skills don’t shine at fullback.

 

[Cancelled Account]

We also need to consider that Lucas is signed for 4 years and Hegarty only 1 year. But guess what, us rugby fans on this forum don’t have have a say. The coaches will do what they think is best.

 

[Penguin]

Yes Petaia was invisible but coming back from injury can’t expect too much I guess

He's not coming back from injury, he played the last game in the WC. I don't understand this mantra that he's building minutes either. Seasons started, get stuck in!

 

[Penguin]

It is a bit ridiculous writing Lucas off as a flyhalf after one game.

My take is he struggled with the rushing defence, but he never seemed to lose composure or crumble under the pressure which is significant. I think the Reds second man play which worked well against the Tahs in the trial simply misfired last night, players were passing to where they thought their man was supposed to be and completely missing, and that’s what much of their backline play was built on during the Tahs trial.

It's Lucas's 2nd starting game at ten. he stared there in his final Reds game last season, before Aus U20 duties. But I agree, persistence is necessary.





McIntyre was never seen as the next big thing, just another great white hope!

 

[Bobby Sands]

He's not coming back from injury, he played the last game in the WC. I don't understand this mantra that he's building minutes either. Seasons started, get stuck in!

He was injured, and did pre-season basically in isolation working on his body.

But I agree, it’s weird how off the pace he is.

 

[Penguin]

He was injured, and did pre-season basically in isolation working on his body.

But I agree, it’s weird how off the pace he is.

Did he get injured in the quarter final loss? Man, at this stage the lad is starting to give CFS a run for his money! Hopefully he hits the ground running on tour.

 

[Ignoto]

While Lucas played ok, having him start over Hegarty or Hamish was only setting him up for failure. Why not properly manage Lucas's introduction into flyhalf by 20 minute cameos and let one of the other two deal with the initial stressful play of the game.

We clearly needed calmer heads out there, Lucas was understably frazzled, but we tried to play way too much rugby in our own half and barely cleared our own 40 with kicks.

 

[Jets]

Petaia was heavily marked and had some timing issues with JOC (James O'Connor) and Lucas. He'll get better with more game time.

 

[wamberal]

The Reds really needed to have some options when the outside backs were being starved of room and time.