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Reds 2023

Wilson

Wilson

Phil Kearns (64)
So if last year is anything to go by (and with the remaining draw it looks likely it is) I think we're about 5 points short of a finals spot, with the added benefit of a win against either the tahs or the highlanders giving us extra breathing room. From the other contenders the tahs have the easiest run so taking points of them next week is important (though maybe more for placings), Highlanders probably have the hardest and the Rebels are coming from outside the 8 so have to go through the tahs, Highlanders and Force to get there - meaning if they make it up to the 8 they'll likely be taking points of them. Force and the Drua are both technically in it but probably need to win next week to stay in it and then if they do their clash the following week will likely rule one of them out.

Bonus points will be crucial and upsets against the top half of the table may still change things of course, but with more points in the bank then the rest of the chasing pack we're in the strongest position. All black/Wallaby rest might have a big impact, particularly if any of the top 5 sides gamble against a lower team and let in an upset.

This all makes the equation pretty simple in Townsville - beat the tahs and we can pretty much bank the finals. I don't think there will be any issues getting up for this game, I just hope we can keep our discipline in check.
 
J

justlookin

Stan Wickham (3)
SouthernX said:
Mason has been playing predominately fullback. I think he is a talented flyhalf but he probably has a personal goal of playing alongside his brother hence the switch to 15.

unsure where he lines up in the aus u20 setup but he will be in the frame for 10
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Can't see him being the 20s 10. He is behind Bowen, Lynagh and maybe HNP. Fullback if in starting side at all.
 
Wilson

Wilson

Phil Kearns (64)
Wilson said:
Bonus points will be crucial and upsets against the top half of the table may still change things of course, but with more points in the bank then the rest of the chasing pack we're in the strongest position. All black/Wallaby rest might have a big impact, particularly if any of the top 5 sides gamble against a lower team and let in an upset.
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Just to follow on from this, taking a look at the upcoming draw and when teams had their byes, there's a pretty good chance both the Chiefs and the Blues will look to rest against us. Both teams play us 5 weeks after their bye with the All Black rest settings being no more than 5 games in a row. Additionally we play the Chiefs immediately before the Hurricanes and then the Brumbies - the 2 games that can lock up the number one spot for them, and we play the Blues in between them playing the Crusaders and the Hurricanes - the teams either side of them on the table which will have the greatest bearing on their placing and a potential home final.

We'll still go into those games very much the underdog, but bulk rests will really open the door for us. Win this weekend against the tahs and we'll have a bit of momentum behind us, hopefully we can keep it going and come away with at least 2 and hopefully 4-8 points from those games.
 
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Ignoto

Ignoto

Peter Sullivan (51)
You'd imagine it'll be fine with no-one playing on it for two weeks or so. Just a bit crap teh Broncos play Thursday night and the Reds play Friday.
 
Adam84

Adam84

Rod McCall (65)
It’s better that it’s soft underfoot than hard, despite the dead grass and churned pitch there was a remarkably low injury rate across the weekend. Largely thanks to the soft ground that gives instead of biting.

Worst thing for the Broncos and Reds this weekend is if the pitch dries out and goes hard
 
RugbyReg

RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
Hearing Werchon might be in line for a debut this weekend. Don’t know if it’s for Thomas or Tate. Wonder if it is our turn to rest wallabies for a kiwi away game?
 
dillyboy

dillyboy

Colin Windon (37)
RugbyReg said:
Hearing Werchon might be in line for a debut this weekend. Don’t know if it’s for Thomas or Tate. Wonder if it is our turn to rest wallabies for a kiwi away game?
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Possibly figure there's no chance in hell of us beating the chiefs so may as well roll out the B team??
 
PhilClinton

PhilClinton

Mark Loane (55)
Yeh either position would be a surprise as aren't the Reds already 3 fully contracted players deep in both spots?

Are there injuries?
 
LeCheese

LeCheese

Greg Davis (50)
Is Jeans fit? I know he was coming off an injury but I t’s interesting that he hasn’t been given a look at all this season
 
PhilClinton

PhilClinton

Mark Loane (55)
Maybe a veteran to steady the ship? Michael Bond isn’t too far removed from professional setups, same with Kuridrani (wouldn’t be a debut though).

The core group of centres (Annan, Flook, Henry, Paisami) are all quite young so I’m not sure they’d need to blood someone with a eye to the future.
 
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