Reds v Bulls. Bris Vegas.

[Scarfman]

I like to make an apology every year or so, so I might as well bury it on page 11 of this thread. A couple of years ago I was confident that Cooper and Beale wouldn't make it, but Barnes would. I thought the other two looked more like league players, while Barnes was an all-round rugby 10.

Beale is perhaps further behind than some people thought he would be, but has now perhaps found his best position.

Cooper is playing unbelievable footy and only a complete retard would pick Giteau ahead of him at 10.

And Barnes is just terrible. In fact, I think he would kill the Reds backline if he were shifted back into it. He is a dead-end. naza was right all along.

 

[chief]

I like to make an apology every year or so, so I might as well bury it on page 11 of this thread. A couple of years ago I was confident that Cooper and Beale wouldn't make it, but Barnes would. I thought the other two looked more like league players, while Barnes was an all-round rugby 10.

Beale is perhaps further behind than some people thought he would be, but has now perhaps found his best position.

Cooper is playing unbelievable footy and only a complete retard would pick Giteau ahead of him at 10.

And Barnes is just terrible. In fact, I think he would kill the Reds backline if he were shifted back into it. He is a dead-end. naza was right all along.

On behalf of all the Reds fans, we would like to offer our apologies, for being pissed off about the Waratahs taking Berrick. Thank you very much for doing so, as I honestly believe the Reds would not be who they are with him there. So thank you.

Gits is just plain old rubbish, his time has expired within Australian Rugby, and it is his name, that is holding Australian rugby back.

 

[RugbyReg]

I thought it was interesting that Link used Kennedy above Holmes. Threw the youngster in there didn't he? He's a smart coach. wanted to see how'd he go in the pressure situation.

by the way, did Schatz come on?

 

[disco]

by the way, did Schatz come on?

No but I was calling for it around the 60th minute when Houston was running out of puff. I thought it was strange that he didn't come on at all considering his good defence.

 

[RugbyReg]

yeah, i think part of it is Link rewarding his players for doing the job. I think Roy played great last night and he deserved to be on the field at the end.

 

[fatprop]

I thought it was interesting that Link used Kennedy above Holmes. Threw the youngster in there didn't he? He's a smart coach. wanted to see how'd he go in the pressure situation.

by the way, did Schatz come on?

Kennedy could be starting next season, they need to know if he is up to it

 

[Scotty]

How can you even imagine playing Horne, a young 13, at 12 in tests?

Gits will be at 12. Cooper at 10. I'd put cash on it.

I'd say we could do worse that have that combo, I didn't say I'd pick it.

More and more I am thinking that we need hard straight running 12 outside of Cooper. someone that can still deliver a good short pass, but someone that hits the line at pace to give Cooper options. I can't help the feeling that Giteau will fuck the Wallabies backline, even if he is at 12.

Horne is a young 13, but he also has the hard running and hard tackling that is required at 12. It just depends on his body. As they say if you are good enough your old enough (ok I know that isn't what they say).

How could you even imagine putting at 22 year old halfback with a 22 year old flyhalf in the Wallaby backline?

 

[Reddy!]

I think the starting team were still all on at the 65th minute mark. It was good faith to show in your players from the coach.

 

[Ishmael]

I think the Giteau-hate is getting a bit much. He has huge expectation on him every game he plays, both at S14 and test level. He's not in great form at the moment, but neither is the team he's playing in. He has the runs on the board at test level and he should be in the starting side at 12 come the crunch games. I wouldn't be surprised, however, if Deans gives someone else a run in the June tests to light a rocket up Gits' backside.

IMO, the test team should be:

1. Robinson
2. TPN
3. Alexander
4. Sharpe
5. Mumm
6. Higginbotham
7. Pocock
8. Elsom
9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Ioane
12. Giteau
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Mitchell
15. Hynes

16. Moore
17. Baxter
18. Douglas
19. Hodgson
20. Burgess
21. Horne
22. JOC (James O'Connor)

Hynes, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Ioane are interchangeable depending on preference.

 

[Biffo]

Campese has been harping on and on for years that Oz teams, including the Wallabies, should be playing like the Reds are now and we have smiled and thought of him as a Don Quixote tilting at windmills.

Now he will be saying: "I told you so."

I have never disagreed with Campo about that attitude and have noted that backlines coached by him have always gone brilliantly.

Old bloke watching in the same pub as me said something like "This is like watching Bob Dwyer's Wallaby backline. Isn't it great to see the Randwick playbook dusted off and applied".

Campese, Dwyer, McKenzie - all Randwick.

 

[Biffo]

I like to make an apology every year or so, so I might as well bury it on page 11 of this thread. A couple of years ago I was confident that Cooper and Beale wouldn't make it, but Barnes would. I thought the other two looked more like league players, while Barnes was an all-round rugby 10.

Beale is perhaps further behind than some people thought he would be, but has now perhaps found his best position.

Cooper is playing unbelievable footy and only a complete retard would pick Giteau ahead of him at 10.

And Barnes is just terrible. In fact, I think he would kill the Reds backline if he were shifted back into it. He is a dead-end. naza was right all along.

On behalf of all the Reds fans, we would like to offer our apologies, for being pissed off about the Waratahs taking Berrick. Thank you very much for doing so, as I honestly believe the Reds would not be who they are with him there. So thank you.

Can we have a roll call of the Reds supporters who, on this board, promised never to support them again after Barnes left?

 

[RugbyReg]

did anyone say that? I thought it was more angst towards BB not the Reds.

 

[Sully]

I like to make an apology every year or so, so I might as well bury it on page 11 of this thread. A couple of years ago I was confident that Cooper and Beale wouldn't make it, but Barnes would. I thought the other two looked more like league players, while Barnes was an all-round rugby 10.

Beale is perhaps further behind than some people thought he would be, but has now perhaps found his best position.

Cooper is playing unbelievable footy and only a complete retard would pick Giteau ahead of him at 10.

And Barnes is just terrible. In fact, I think he would kill the Reds backline if he were shifted back into it. He is a dead-end. naza was right all along.I thought about not buying Season Tickets. But I did buy them. And they are worth 3 times as much as I payed! May even make up for the years they were worth half.

On behalf of all the Reds fans, we would like to offer our apologies, for being pissed off about the Waratahs taking Berrick. Thank you very much for doing so, as I honestly believe the Reds would not be who they are with him there. So thank you.

Can we have a roll call of the Reds supporters who, on this board, promised never to support them again after Barnes left?

 

[meatsack]

Can we have a roll call of the Reds supporters who, on this board, promised never to support them again after Barnes left?

I actually upgraded my membership to Gold after the announcement. I'll admit I thought the Barnes move was a huge blow, but I upgraded to show the faith in the Reds. I still have my 2007 membership card. Never expected the faith to be repaid so quickly.

 

[Blue]

I think the Giteau-hate is getting a bit much. He has huge expectation on him every game he plays, both at S14 and test level. He's not in great form at the moment, but neither is the team he's playing in. He has the runs on the board at test level and he should be in the starting side at 12 come the crunch games. I wouldn't be surprised, however, if Deans gives someone else a run in the June tests to light a rocket up Gits' backside.

Exactly the team I'd pick. That's a hell of a good 22 and they are all on form (ok except for Gits)

Deans has invested a lot in Gitaue and Barnes and I don't think he's just going to throw it out the window, so expect to see Barnes on the bench.

 

[Biffo]

Exactly the team I'd pick. That's a hell of a good 22 and they are all on form (ok except for Gits)

Deans has invested a lot in Giteau and Barnes and I don't think he's just going to throw it out the window, so expect to see Barnes on the bench.

Very close to my expectation, too. A 22 very like that will appear for one of the warms-up or the first 3N game.

 

[DPK]

Exactly the team I'd pick. That's a hell of a good 22 and they are all on form (ok except for Gits)

Deans has invested a lot in Giteau and Barnes and I don't think he's just going to throw it out the window, so expect to see Barnes on the bench.

Very close to my expectation, too. A 22 very like that will appear for one of the warms-up or the first 3N game.

I'd expect to see that team, but hell, if I was selecting, I would pick that team. Balance of experienced and young stars is great. That is a very competitive team.

If that team is playing, I would expect them to beat the All Blacks at least twice this year.

 

[daz]

And Barnes is just terrible. In fact, I think he would kill the Reds backline if he were shifted back into it. He is a dead-end. naza was right all along.

On behalf of all the Reds fans, we would like to offer our apologies, for being pissed off about the Waratahs taking Berrick. Thank you very much for doing so, as I honestly believe the Reds would not be who they are with him there. So thank you.

Can we have a roll call of the Reds supporters who, on this board, promised never to support them again after Barnes left?

I think my little man-love picture of me and my best mate with BB at the RWC07 pretty much shows how I feel about the bloke.

When he walked out, I was gutted beyond belief. Gutted, I tells ya.

Now? Good luck to him, but since he has made it very clear there is no going back, please let me say that we have moved on quite nicely as well, thankyou very much...

See you at RWC11 Berrick. You may even be there in a Wallabies capacity, but more likely as a tour guide with WeLoveRugby...

 

[TOCC]

Broncos pulled a crowd of 25'600, first time the Reds have pulled a larger crowd in years

 

[Jets]

Broncos pulled a crowd of 25'600, first time the Reds have pulled a larger crowd in years

Was just coming on here to say that I was wrong. When you think 35,000 were at the Lions at the same time it makes the crowd even more impressive. Friday night should be great. Going to get my ticket tomorrow.