Reds v Bulls. Bris Vegas.

[tranquility]

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.

To my knowledge Higginbum has never played lock before. I think it would be a fantastic for his game if he could however.
Ezra was signed as a Lock/Blindside when he came from the Highlanders, he has played their in trials as well. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

 

[TOCC]

Ezra used to play lock with the Highlanders

 

[JJJ]

All depend if he want to compare the Bulls draw with SA teams or NZ/Aus teams. :nta: Something I tried to explain to my keffertjie Biff, but even if they and the Stormers have a shorten tour compare to the other SA teams, they still are four weeks on tour. Dont think the others play more then three SA matches.

My understanding of the travel disadvantage is that the west->east trip is the main cause of that, and that it's only really a disadvantage for the first week. After that it's just another away game. And all teams in the S14 have to make the same west->east journey once, unless an SA team has to play in an Australasian final. Whereas the altitude advantage enjoyed by teams like the Bulls is a constant and significant home advantage for them regardless of which week of the tour the NZ/Aus team is on. In effect it's as if all of their home games are being played against teams who have just made the west->east trip. So the Australasian teams are disadvantaged both by the west->east trip (the same as Saffa teams) and the altitude they have to play at on their SA tour.

Hope that makes as much sense written down as it did in my head.

 

[Biffo]

You are, IMHO, right about the travel evening out for all teams. However, it is not necessary for anyone to suffer "jetlag". There are ways - all fully legal and not involving drugs (or sunglasses - to minimize the effects of jetlag. Many business people and sportsmen travel across time zones worse than those between Australia, NZ and RSA and with insignificant jetlag.

 

[CanadianRugby]

You are, IMHO, right about the travel evening out for all teams. However, it is not necessary for anyone to suffer "jetlag". There are ways - all fully legal and not involving drugs (or sunglasses - to minimize the effects of jetlag. Many business people and sportsmen travel across time zones worse than those between Australia, NZ and RSA and with insignificant jetlag.

On the other hand, many business people do not get beat up by large men in front of thousands of screaming fans for money. Just a thought.

 

[Sully]

You are, IMHO, right about the travel evening out for all teams. However, it is not necessary for anyone to suffer "jetlag". There are ways - all fully legal and not involving drugs (or sunglasses - to minimize the effects of jetlag. Many business people and sportsmen travel across time zones worse than those between Australia, NZ and RSA and with insignificant jetlag.

On the other hand, many business people do not get beat up by large men in front of thousands of screaming fans for money. Just a thought.

For the right Businessman I would pay to watch that!

 

[Jets]

I doubt they would waste Higginbotham in the row. Taylor will fill that if required.

Also did Kennedy get on the field against the Sharks? I don't recall it happening. I think Holmes may get first crack at THP next year as he has been going very well when he comes off the bench so for this year.

 

[RugbyReg]

agree re Taylor Jets. He is the back up lock. Danie Rossouw style.

And you are right - Kennedy didn't get on the field v Sharks.

 

[PaarlBok]

JJJ you make a huge mistake if you take only the travelling into account. Cant be just another away game, they time away from home is our lots problem. They like to be in their home enviroment like Mrs arms, braai with close friends, ma,s boere food, biltong, ext.

The Stormers will be play the Saders on Newlands in two weeks time and they will have to travel from Brisbane , the Saders from Perth, they wont complain cause they,ll have a week to catch up on lost homework.

 

[cheezel]

I have a good feeling leading up to this game. I'm picking the reds to score a bonus point win and smash there way into the top 4.

Diggers had a quiet game last week and will be looking for gaps and lazy tacklers. C'mon reds

 

[PaarlBok]

I have a good feeling leading up to this game. I'm picking the reds to score a bonus point win and smash there way into the top 4.

Diggers had a quiet game last week and will be looking for gaps and lazy tacklers. C'mon reds

Well they wont get past the Stormers, thats for sure, 42-10 with still 15 minutes to go.

 

[Spook]

I have a good feeling leading up to this game. I'm picking the reds to score a bonus point win and smash there way into the top 4.

Diggers had a quiet game last week and will be looking for gaps and lazy tacklers. C'mon reds

Well they wont get past the Stormers, thats for sure

What an arrogant statement.

 

[spectator]

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

Brando Vaalu is quite physical, a good defender, and has the experience needed for such a big game. A good bench selection IMO.

 

[PaarlBok]

I have a good feeling leading up to this game. I'm picking the reds to score a bonus point win and smash there way into the top 4.

Diggers had a quiet game last week and will be looking for gaps and lazy tacklers. C'mon reds

Well they wont get past the Stormers, thats for sure

What an arrogant statement.

Why? They had 2 less points on the log before the Stormers game. They cant get 8 against the Bulls, can they?

 

[cheezel]

You're right PB, I'll be fine with just scraping into the top 4.

 

[PaarlBok]

You're right PB, I'll be fine with just scraping into the top 4.

So, whats the problem with Spokie then? :nta:

 

[Sully]

You're right PB, I'll be fine with just scraping into the top 4.

So, whats the problem with Spokie then? :nta:

He thinks you meant we won't beat them.

 

[Blue]

You're right PB, I'll be fine with just scraping into the top 4.

So, whats the problem with Spokie then? :nta:

He thinks you meant we won't beat them.

That's what I thought Paarl meant :lmao:

I pick the Bulls to come out with a momentous effort. They know if they win this game it's on foot in the home semi door. The senior players will want to bury the "last game on tour" bogey. The Australian media, commentators and fans have all but written the Bulls off.

 

[Scotty]

Blue, I don't think anyone has actually written the Bulls off. Most are just being optimistic in backing the Reds.

Reds fans on this site know that this is the test of the season so far for their team, and if the Reds win there will be more celebrating than after any game this year, partially because they didn't expect it.

 

[Ash]

Meh I tipped the Bulls. Think the Reds have more of a chance at an upset than most SA supporters think though.