Reds v Bulls. Bris Vegas.

[Redsfan]

The QR Reds team to play the Bulls is (from fullback):
15. Peter Hynes
14. Rod Davies
13. Will Chambers
12. Anthony Fainga'a
11. Digby Ioane
10. Quade Cooper
9. Will Genia (c)
8. Leroy Houston
7. Daniel Braid (vc)
6. Scott Higginbotham
5. Van Humphries,
4. Rob Simmons
3. Laurie Weeks
2. Saia Fainga'a
1. Ben Daley

Reserves: Sean Hardman, Greg Holmes, Jack Kennedy, Ezra Taylor, Jake Schatz, Ben Lucas, Brando Va’aulu

 

[Ash]

Morahan dropped? Va'aulu ahead of Turinuri on the bench? 5 man bench by the way with 2 props. Interesting selections from Link. Apart from that he is persisting with a pretty settled starting side.

I bet Byrnes has been dumped because of his defection to the Rebels. I have no problem with that - Simmons has stood up and they can now see if Taylor can as well from the bench.

BTW, I would've been equally fine with Pollock or Joubert. Both are decent refs and better than just about any Aussie ref at the moment. Would love to have Mark Lawrence reffing the Reds every week, though!

 

[RugbyReg]

I have to admit, I haven't been impressed my Morahan other than that Chiefs try.

In saying that, I haven't been impressed by Vaaulu.

Morgan T would've been my man.

 

[Ruggo]

No Byrnes on the bench. I have my doubts on this one. If one of our locks go down, Matfield will eat us alive at the lineout. Looks like Link is going for mobility at the back end of the game. I would of taken Morgs over Brando any day.
None the less, that's our team so go out and get em boys.

 

[Reddy!]

As some have pointed out, that starting side is pretty settled and there are clear combinations that have formed over the season. The Reds have been very fortunate with injuries this season; let's hope the physicality of this weekends game won't see that end!

 

[tranquility]

The bench is unusual isn't it?

Link seems to see something in Brando that I can't quite see myself. I back his judgment

He also seems to rate Kennedy for the tight games, I am not sure if that is because he is the only other suitable prop or if he has the ability to really stand up. Either way I wouldn't mind seeing him get some minutes.

Also Ezra Taylor is not very flash as a backrower let alone a back-up lock - this selection is a risk no doubt.

Schatz however is all time and I look forward to he tree topping tackling style when he gets on. He may only be 19, and he may only be 100kg but he won't miss a single tackle on saturday.

should be a ripper

 

[Ruggo]

My guess is that Kennedy is being groomed as Weeks replacment.

 

[Reddy!]

My guess is that Kennedy is being groomed as Weeks replacment.

Yep, except we can't afford to drop Weekes yet, but we can afford to drop Brynes...somewhat.

 

[David]

My guess is that Kennedy is being groomed as Weeks replacment.

Yep, except we can't afford to drop Weekes yet, but we can afford to drop Brynes...somewhat.

Yeah, Simmons is doing a great job at the moment and he's only 20, Brynes has aggression but it is always a double edged sword.

 

[tranquility]

Kennedy will probably get first crack at the TH spot next year, but it will be interesting to see who beds it down in the long term with Slipper dominating at club level at a very young age, and the Tight 5 prodigy of Australian rugby PAE coming through.

Albert Anae is another youngster in the academy that is one to keep an eye on, however he primarily plays loose head.

We only need one of these blokes to really take the next step and it will be a case of Lawrie who?

Byrnes is a pillow biter and Simmonds already offers more value. Good riddance.

QLD doesn't need anymore blowins as far as I am concerned.

 

[chief]

Personally, I think Byrnes offers nothing but a bit of aggression and the occasional defense. I don't think its much to do with the Rebels, Ewen isn't that kind of guy. It's more to do with the team that he wants. Each week, Link picks a team for each opposition, and Byrnes doesn't fit the profile.

Noddy- Apologies, ARU website says it was Joubert, error on their behalf.

 

[Scotty]

I agree with those that are saying Byrnes doesn't offer much. He has tits for hands and gets carded way too much.

Humphries = 2x Byrnes, Simmons = 1.5 Byrnes.

 

[TOCC]

Reds had a 5-2 bench for the Sharks as well, in that they had two props

 

[PaarlBok]

PB, Darwin to Canberra is about a 5 hour flight. No more rednecks here than anywhere else in Australia. You can't use the term "red necks" as it upsets our sooky Prime Minister as Robin Williams found out. I think the politically correct term is now "English good old boys" :lmao:. Darwin is not a big city compaired to Brisbane or Sydney and the lifestyle is a lot more casual and rural in comparison. It is one of those places where you tend to either love it or hate it. I have never seen a kg Crocodile steak in Darwin. The Sheilas up here are not that flash. In comparrison to those saffer cheer leaders that is. :lmao: Darwin people can out drink anybody in Australia so that helps make the sheilas look more good looking. :lmao:

Well thats exactly my idea of a RooiNek when Skotman called me one. We call them Salt Dicks "Sout Piele". : Still cant believe what gives Scotty that idea ? :

Always look at Darwin degrees when they show us the weather, the place sound a bit like Paarl, only we have the best looking koeksusters "Sheilas in Aus" and rugby players in the country.

 

[PaarlBok]

If you read the SA papers and blogs you will actually see what they are primarily focussing on and one of those is fixing the ongoing defensive problem out wide.

Tried to find the english version of SlapTjips view on their backline successe and the way they play.

Beeld

http://www.beeld.com/Sport/Rugby/Bulls-gaan-steeds-dié-wapen-inspan-20100412

 

[Sully]

Also Ezra Taylor is not very flash as a backrower let alone a back-up lock - this selection is a risk no doubt.

I think Higginbotham will move to lock if needed, rather than Taylor.

 

[TOCC]

hmm... Reds have been splashed all over the news in Brisbane since returning from South Africa, however i have been looking at the Reds past results..

Wins
Lions
Cheetahs
Force
Crusaders
Chiefs

Loss
Blues
Waratahs
Sharks

Out of those teams, the Reds can really only claim the Crusaders(minus richie) as been a top team scalp and maybe the Chiefs. But the Lions, Cheetahs and Force are sitting on the bottom 3 of the ladder. Have we been lured into a false dawn?

I guess this weekend will be a true defining moment for there 2010 season, beat the bulls and they are true finals contenders, lose and they are nothing more then pretenders.

 

[Ruggo]

Cheifs were red hot until we beat them.

 

[Utility Back]

We were also very much in contention to win those other games aswell.

 

[disco]

Loss
Blues
Waratahs
Sharks

Yeah but not disgraced in any of those matches, no excuses but we had our chances to put the tahs & Sharks away.

The Blues out played us but up until the 78th minute we still had chances to snatch a victory in that game also.