Reds v Brumbies - Super Rugby Round 7 2012

[Tangawizi]

Can the Reds beat the Brumbies in Brisbane on Good Friday? History suggests they are next to no chance with their only home win against the men from the ACT being a 19-18 victory way back in 1999. And given the performances of both teams over the past fortnight, the Reds should go in to this match as huge underdogs - champions or not.

Will it be a case of home sweet home for the Reds or is the 2012 season that promised so much, about to turn into a trainwreck for Qld Rugby?

 

[spectator]

Really don't know what the coaching staff does to turn the team around. Not a lot of changes can be made to the forward pack and that seems to be where the real issues are. Starting with Holmes and Samo maybe, and AWH hopefully back from injury.

As for the backs....

 

[Ghibli]

Both teams come from defeats, but the Reds must stop the slippery slide, and with the home advantage, they are favourite to come on top on Friday night.
Obviously, I hope I am wrong.

 

[Sandpit Fan]

Really don't know what the coaching staff does to turn the team around. Not a lot of changes can be made to the forward pack and that seems to be where the real issues are. Starting with Holmes and Samo maybe, and AWH hopefully back from injury.

As for the backs....

Based on Dallan Murphy's last couple of outings I reckon Sam Lane should be in line for a start. You wouldn't know if Murphy is playing to instructions or not, but while he might be alright in Brisbane 1st grade, I don't think he's up to S15 level at the moment. Bloody kiwis seem to be able to pluck talented young 10's from thin air, we may as well do the same. Don't think there is anything to lose at this stage.

I have a bad feeling we are going to get belted in the forwards again, the Brumbies pigs are really putting their hands up this year.

 

[No4918]

Going to be a big turn around for the Reds to win. I was thinking during the Brums vs Sharks that it still appears sides are underestimating the Brumbies. Sharks had opportunities to take 3, turn them down and it nearly cost them. Any side understimating them will be in trouble.

For the Reds i think the right players are in the pack mostly, just that top 2 inches letting them down. Backline can do with some changes so heres who i'd go with this week:

9. Genia
10. Murphy
11. Morahan
12. Taps
13. Shipperly
14. Davies
15. Toua

I wasn't planning to go to the game but am in the process of changing my mind.

 

[RedsHappy]

The jury is in I'm afraid after 6 games. Our Reds have at present a calamitous combination of missing key players, all-skills on a deteriorating trajectory, forwards looking like they're in off-season mode, and obviously low motivation and morale. And, it must be said, coaches that currently appear better at tweeting and 'we're determined to do better' lines than in actually delivering a team with application and motivation and renewed technical skill.

The Brums have a bit of the very first above, but none of the latter. And the confidence that comes from last year's away win at Suncorp and the desire no doubt to do better than the Force at dis-assembling the Reds' fragile attack.

Sadly, on the basis of objective evidence, you'd have to pick the Brums by 10+. Never, ever thought I'd say that or even close at Round 1.

 

[Ruggo]

Hard circumstances for the young fella but Murphy has been really uninpressive. All he does is transfer presure out wider. His defence is poor and we just don't have the cattle to pull his weight.

 

[liquor box]

Really don't know what the coaching staff does to turn the team around.

send them home for a home cooked meal

I doubt being away from home has made a difference, but it must be nice to get home after nearly 4 weeks

 

[tigerland12]

1-Holmes
2- Hanson
3- Slipper
4- Humphries
5- Horwill
6- Higginbotham
7- Robinson
8- Samo
9- Genia
10- Murphy
11- Davies
12- Tapuai
13- Morahan
14 - Shipperely
15- Toua

Bench: Anae, Daley, Simmons, Quirk/Shatz, Gill, Frisby, Rapana/Lane

Dam these injuries, Morahan,Davies,Murphy ect all deserve to be dropped.

Two of the players we are missing the most are actually Wallace-Harrison(fix the line-outs, add some defensive starch) and A.Fainga'a (tackle, run straight) in my opinion.

Shatz is quality and I rate him, but you can't hold your position after that performance. I'd personally start Quirk but that will not happen

 

[Ruggo]

Is Toua fit?

 

[No4918]

Is Toua fit?

Was said he was fit before the Force game but wouldn't be rushed in. Don't think there is much choice now. Bringing your replacement 9 onto the wing is unacceptable. I know they did it last year but that was with a full strength backline after a niggle or two and games generally won.

 

[Ruggo]

I think it is great that he is fit and gring it on if that is the case.

 

[RedsHappy]

Latest musings from Link and some data re injuries status via link below. (Btw, I personally don't fully buy Link's line re 'struggling with inexperience and combinations' etc. That's passably true re the backs; it's certainly not re the forwards where there has been selection and, generally, combination stability. It's also odd to me that Horwill and Link declaimed the value of the whole team having a very sombre team meeting just hours after the Bulls game and where 'many lessons were learnt and planned improvements made', yet I would say the Reds played worse - relatively - vs the Force than against the Bulls, given the Bulls were clearly the superior of these two teams on their respective home turfs. In any event, I could see very few genuine key Reds' improvements coming to Perth after the Bulls game. As I've said elsewhere, what alarms me most is the consistent degradation of skill and motivation, almost from Round 1 to 6.)

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-new...rged-to-show-true-colours-20120401-1w68m.html

 

[biggsy]

Im dropping into a couple of trainings this week, hopefully that will put a bit of faith into me for this weekends games..... Brum's are my second team so this is the only time I like to see them lose. But The Reds will need to forget about everything because there season starts at this game for the REDS.

 

[Ruggo]

In regards to the whole tour there is one big positive. The first 30 minutes against the Sharks was our best for the year. We new what we wanted to do and we executed well in some rather crappy conditions. We looked to be back in our niche. That is what we need to do. The 9-10 combination is fractured and we need to fix that. I am not sure of our options out wide but Taps should be moved to 10. We are likely to see more continuaty in the 9-10 combination as we were seeing between Lucas and Genia. This will allow Genia to re-focus on being the general of the pack rather than focusing on babying the bloke outside of him. Our forwards look lost and it appears they are missing the kick up the arse that Genia provides. Genia looks as if he is taking on to much and making a hash of it rather than doing his own job soley and focussing on doing it well.

 

[vidiot]

Keep Murphy. Stability will help, he was better this time around and will be better again for a run.

As iterated elsewhere, the main issue is how the single digit jerseys are (not) working. Using the power of optimism, I believe they will be better at home.

10-15 - Morahan actually bolted into contact - stay. Taps could alternate occasionally with murphy. Rapana seemed able to tackle - stay. Shipperley looks the goods. Davies should go with his strengths and just run but he can stay.

 

[No4918]

To follow from Ruggo, Cooper usually only got the ball when he wanted it. He told Genia to keep the forwards working, who then told the forwards what to do. Lucas is probably the only 10 on the books that could do this with the same confidence having been part of the side for so long. Murphy appears to have basically been told what to do and distribute. Let him play his game or give Lane a go, current plan isn't doing Genia or Murphy any favours.

 

[twenty seven]

I'm going to the game. Been through the ups and downs over 20 years.
They will get there shit together, if not now, eventually. Some good playes in the academy pushing forward, just need another number 10!!!!!!
Go the Reds

 

[vidiot]

I'll be along myself. Looking forward to seeing the ponies on the paddock in the flesh.

 

[Brumby Jack]

I'm coming up and just so Reds fans know I'm 3/3 at Suncorp when supporting the Brumbies.

Reds are in trouble then...

But I do hope for Australian Rugbys sake they can put in a good performance after a lean few weeks.