Reds v Bulls. Bris Vegas.

[CanadianRugby]

Reds need to attack the Bulls centers off the set pieces with lots of dummy runners and bringing Diggers infield. The Bulls centers are pretty good tacklers individually, but seem to lose their organization occasionally. Also, hold on to the ball. No kicking, no Cooper chip kicks unless the Reds are deep into Bulls territory. Make those big forwards make as many tackles as possible. Might keep them from exploding in the second-half, which the Bulls seem to do a lot.

Or that might not work at all.

 

[Ruggo]

I liked the way the Chiefs defended the rolling mall early in the game last week. They didn't sustain it long enough last week though. I would like to see the Reds go down this path and try to force the Bulls into playing a plan B game.

I think the bench selections will be more important this week as this is going to be one at the back end of the game when fatigue sets in. We have the travel issue but we have the mobile game to wear the Bulls down. They are certainly not ammune from the fatigue issue.

For gods sake, stand up to Matfield and contest the line out. Make the Bulls work for the pill. They have to tire before us for us to have a chance at taking this one.

Reds by 7.

 

[Scotty]

The Reds have to take more shots on goal rather than going for tries when they have the opportunity. Cooper has to play smart, and making the Bulls run it out of their own half (or try to kick it out of their half - where the Reds can counter).

The big key is discipline. The Reds can not afford to gift Steyn points everytime the Bulls get into the Reds half. If the Bulls keep ticking the scoreboard over they will settle into a rhythm and win easily.

 

[RugbyReg]

The Reds have to take more shots on goal rather than going for tries when they have the opportunity.

good point.

And on the matter of the yellow cards we have given away, if I recall properly many have come from when we're defending our line and somewhat under pressure. The Bulls will know this and go for the kill. I suspect they won't kick the penalties, and will try to pressure us on our line looking for the break in discipline.

We haven't dropped our bundle once this year and that just scares me. We've improved a lot this year, but have we improved so much that we don't have that one 'shocking game'? That scares me about this weekend.

The one thing that gives me hope is that I know Link has been thinking about this game for a long time. This should be a sign that we will at least turn up!

 

[Reddy!]

I think Link is a massive factor for the Reds this season, has really got the mentality right within the squad.

What I noticed my old mate Steyn doing on the weekend was countless number of midfield bombs, that were largely ineffective and gave possession back to the Chiefs. I'm quite happy for the Bulls to be kicking us the ball, but when we kick it we have to make sure they don't get it.

 

[RugbyReg]

was chatting to my dad this morning and he suggested something quite interesting.

The Reds and Broncos are bothing playing at home this weekend. Inform and entertaining Reds v the comp leading Bulls whilst the no-name poorly performing Broncs play the lowly and boring Sharks.

Could the Reds actually get a bigger crowd than the Broncs????

 

[TOCC]

interesting points from Foxsports 'the adjudicator'

1) The Bulls have lost the final match of their Australasian tour in all 14 seasons of Super Rugby., and
2) the Reds have won their first home match after returning from South Africa every year since 2000

 

[Lindommer]

GO THE REDS!

















from their all-time number 1 supporter.

 

[Reddy!]

was chatting to my dad this morning and he suggested something quite interesting.

The Reds and Broncos are bothing playing at home this weekend. Inform and entertaining Reds v the comp leading Bulls whilst the no-name poorly performing Broncs play the lowly and boring Sharks.

Could the Reds actually get a bigger crowd than the Broncs????

Yeh wow, that's a real possibility. I know a fair few people who are going to this game and who haven't been to any other Reds game so far this year, myself included, could be an interesting turn up.

I'm with Lindommer, this is just going to be a great game to get behind the team you support. Can't wait.

 

[TOCC]

i would go, but i fear i might have to work this weekend...

 

[Reddy!]

Bugger. Haven't been at a Reds game that they have won in years, always turn up to the one where they get belted...which will probably happen this weekend knowing my luck.

 

[Scotty]

The two home games I have gone to this year they have lost. So I'd better stay away.

We haven't dropped our bundle once this year and that just scares me. We've improved a lot this year, but have we improved so much that we don't have that one 'shocking game'? That scares me about this weekend.

The one thing that gives me hope is that I know Link has been thinking about this game for a long time. This should be a sign that we will at least turn up!

Having a shocking game against arguably the best team in the comp doesn't scare me, afterall we could still lose while playing our best rugby. Because of the amount of bonus points, we can still drop another game and make the semis - but I agree it will be hard if we drop this one to find ourselves 'on wood'.

 

[Reddy!]

On that point, would snatching 2 BPs from this game be a reasonable outcome?

 

[RugbyReg]

3 bonus points would be better (a draw with 4 tries scored???) as we'd jump the Tahs regardless.

 

[Ruggo]

I would be happy for a standard 4 point win here. Bulls and Stormers at home are hard but then comes the monkey game with the Brumbies in Canberra. I don't think we have won down there.

 

[Scotty]

By my reckoning they need at least 18 or 19 points from the remaining 5 games to have a chance to make it.

5 x 4 point wins (very unlikely)
3 x 5 point wins + 1 x 4 point win (still unlikely, but possible)
3 x 5 point wins + 1 x 2 point loss, 1 x 1 point loss (getting more possible)

The Stormers and Brumbies games are possibly more important than the Bulls game, considering their current close position to the Reds.

 

[Ruggo]

It is a bit of a week by week proposition.

 

[Reddy!]

Yup, I know I will be barracking for all the lower placed teams to cause some upsets and help the Reds cause. Need every bit of luck we can get.

 

[PaarlBok]

Cant understand why some dont want to go watch the game, go buy those tickets and support the Reds, they'r going to need every support they can get. This will be a massive game.

 

[disco]

Fuck yeah I'm pumped for this one I'll definitely be there. Biggest Reds home game in a long time.