Reds v Blues, Round 11 2013, Attack of the Attack?

[Tangawizi]

Anzac clash with potentially massive ramifications for the Reds should they fail to win.

Will we see a repeat of the all out attack from last weekend or something more conservative?

Will any of Samo, Beau Robbo or Harris be back on deck for the Reds?

Meanwhile the Blues will have had a full 2 weeks to prepare for this one and dissect the Reds game.

The Blues attacking stats are better than the Reds in 2013 whilst both sides have leaked an average of around 20 points per game.

Will either sides defence be able to step it up a notch on Friday night?

Or are we in for a free flowing high-scoring tryfest?

 

[Jets]

I'd be happy to have the same Reds team as they put out on Saturday night but I start Shipperley over Davies. I just don't think Rod is up to this level.

I'd like the Reds to keep the attacking focus as I think it suits the players more and brings the crowd right into the game.

It will be a great night on Friday. Really looking forward to the game.

 

[Bullrush]

Looking forward to this game as well. The Blues defence seemed to have stepped up going from their last game against the Canes and with Graham Henry running the defence (I think) they will hopefully keep improving.

F Saili won't be playing and I think Moala is still suspended so their back-line will be a little disrupted. Maybe big Albert Nikora will make another appearance.....

I wonder if Mealamu will start this one as well and perhaps Boric as well?

 

[Tangawizi]

Well actually, is Saili dropped completely or just benched?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10879031

Blues midfielder Francis Saili has been dropped from the starting XV to play the Reds in Brisbane on Friday after he was charged with a driving offence.
He is due to face court tomorrow.
Saili's alleged offending comes as All Blacks and Hurricanes wing Julian Savea was remanded on bail today after his court appearance in Wellington on a charge of common assault.
Blues coach Sir John Kirwan this morning told the media of Saili's impending court appearance for allegedly driving while disqualified after being asked about Savea's situation.
"We've actually got a little misdemeanour in our side at the moment,'' he said.
"Francis Saili was disqualified from driving because of speeding tickets and he got caught driving the other day. We've handled that internally. He's a young man who has done a silly thing.
"We're not playing him in our starting 15 for punishment of that and there are NZRU protocols that are taking place.

"He's in court tomorrow. He's apologised to the team

 

[Bullrush]

Well actually, is Saili dropped completely or just benched?

I don't know actually. Jackson Willison isn't a bad player but I would prefer having a bit more experience on the field against the Reds - especially defensively.

 

[BDA]

I'd be happy to have the same Reds team as they put out on Saturday night but I start Shipperley over Davies. I just don't think Rod is up to this level.

I think that Shipperley is the better winger, but Davies looks to be in really good form at the moment so I dont mind if he gets another run.

 

[Jets]

How is he in good form? He has hands like feet and is a defensive liability. He is no doubt very quick but that is the extent of it. A couple of times on the weekend he caught the ball from kicks and dropped it as he was hit by the defenders, luckily from the Reds the ball went backwards. And the try he should have scored was a huge mistake. It's the difference between winning games and loosing (or drawing in this case).

 

[Sully]

How is he in good form? He has hands like feet and is a defensive liability. He is no doubt very quick but that is the extent of it. A couple of times on the weekend he caught the ball from kicks and dropped it as he was hit by the defenders, luckily from the Reds the ball went backwards. And the try he should have scored was a huge mistake. It's the difference between winning games and loosing (or drawing in this case).

Your seeing it differently to me jets. I think he's going pretty well

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[BDA]

Cant wait for this game! Both teams look to be in good form going into this game, but the Reds should be clear favourites. It’s actually hard to find weaknesses in the Reds game at the moment. Their pick and drive game is arguably the best in the comp. Their maul work is very dangerous. They can play a tight or running rugby. Shades of 2011 right now. The only real downside to their play last week was the number of errors they made. If they can cut out the errors they should get a 4 try bonus point.

As for the Blues, its always a bit to tell which Blues team will turn up. But even if it the good one, I'll back the Reds. They'll be pissed after last week. My only concern is that players are sometimes a bit flat after games tof he magnitude of the Brumbies v Reds game.
Reds by 7.

 

[BDA]

How is he in good form? He has hands like feet and is a defensive liability. He is no doubt very quick but that is the extent of it. A couple of times on the weekend he caught the ball from kicks and dropped it as he was hit by the defenders, luckily from the Reds the ball went backwards. And the try he should have scored was a huge mistake. It's the difference between winning games and loosing (or drawing in this case).

This is by no means an objective point of view. Your disdain for Davies is pungent. He's scored 3 tries in 2 matches. How many has Shipperley scored this year? Again I'm not saying he's a better winger, but his main job is to score 5 pointers and he's doing that.

 

[Jets]

I don't dislike Davies I just expect more from him. He's lightning quick and that is something that you can't teach. And as you say he's scored 3 tries this year so it's not like he is hopeless. I would love for him to hit the form from 2011 but he hasn't hit those heights since he played his Test match for the Wallabies.

Here's a bit of a trip down memory lane. I hope the team can recreate this type of game on Friday night.

 

[USARugger]

There are really obvious flaws in Davies' game (high ball and defense, mainly) but he seems to get himself into the right position to score tries very, very often. If he can shore up on those deficiencies he has the potential to be an incredible player with his quickness but I haven't seen any real improvement based on the last few games in those areas since the test with Samoa. If he can't fix those issues he will sadly always be a very potent strike runner but a liability everywhere else. I want to see him become a complete player because watching him in flight is exhilarating.

 

[Jets]

Having been involved with him when he was a school he is very much a confidence player. In the Blues game above he scored 3 really good tries and that's what I want to see from him. Even the last one he braces for the big hits as he goes to score the try, I don't see him doing that now.
I'll let it go now and see how he goes on Friday night.

 

[RedsHappy]

Good debate re Rocket. Though as I've said before, look closely and, intercepts aside, you'll see that typically Davies' best work requires even better work from QC (Quade Cooper) in setting him up. Of course, when QC (Quade Cooper) finds the holes and space for his wingers, then raw pace to the line becomes handy . Having said that, I like Jets' point above that top wingers also need exceptional technique and agility to deal with fast incoming cover defenders that are good at spoiling the ball's down movement over the line or forcing the winger into touch, this is when the best wingers really earn their pay, it's not just the pace to get to the chalk.

 

[USARugger]

His finishing definitely needs work. His size and build aren't doing him any favors. I think he weighs about the same as JOC (James O'Connor) but Rabbit has a much stockier build and lower COG.

 

[RedsHappy]

I don't dislike Davies I just expect more from him. He's lightning quick and that is something that you can't teach. And as you say he's scored 3 tries this year so it's not like he is hopeless. I would love for him to hit the form from 2011 but he hasn't hit those heights since he played his Test match for the Wallabies.

Here's a bit of a trip down memory lane. I hope the team can recreate this type of game on Friday night.

And thanks for that! Ahhh, that was one of the sweetest days there ever was to be a Reds fan. Exhilarating: the combination of sensing a moment of team destiny unfolding, and doing so by means of truly champagne rugby.

 

[Shiggins]

Anzac clash with potentially massive ramifications for the Reds should they fail to win.

Will we see a repeat of the all out attack from last weekend or something more conservative?

Will any of Samo, Beau Robbo or Harris be back on deck for the Reds?

Meanwhile the Blues will have had a full 2 weeks to prepare for this one and dissect the Reds game.

The Blues attacking stats are better than the Reds in 2013 whilst both sides have leaked an average of around 20 points per game.

Will either sides defence be able to step it up a notch on Friday night?

Or are we in for a free flowing high-scoring tryfest?

Is this game on Anzac Day?

 

[Scoey]

Is this game on Anzac Day?

Friday I thought.

 

[Tangawizi]

Yes, it is Friday so the day after.

Will still be a commemoration service held and curtain raiser between defence force teams that kicks off at 5:30pm.

Is a discount ticket offer for Defence Personnel too.

 

[Jets]

Just realised that if the Reds win then it will be 4/4 against NZ teams this year. That would be a nice little stat to have in their favour. They'll need to be up for it though as the Blues will come out firing after having the week off.