Reds v Cheetahs

[formeropenside]

McMeniman and Lucas to start in QR Reds return to "Sunday afternoon footy"

Lucas regains No 9 jersey
Thursday, 26 February 2009

Wallaby and QR Reds lock Hugh McMeniman has been returned to the team to play the Cheetahs at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon (kickoff 4pm) along with scrumhalf Ben Lucas.

McMeniman missed the opening rounds in South Africa due to a serious family illness but has put his hand up to play in Sunday's crucial match.

A strong performance against the Stormers off the bench by Lucas, along with his goal kicking ability, has earned him a start ahead of Will Genia.

The experiment of playing Test wing Digby Ioane at outside centre will be repeated against the Cheetahs, after the powerful runner made a good fist of the role at short notice when Charlie Fetoai (shoulder) was forced to pull out of the Round 2 match against the Stormers. Fetoai will play for a strong Reds 2nd XV in the curtain raiser match against the Junior Waratahs (kickoff 1:40pm).

The players with injury concerns - captain and inside centre Berrick Barnes (corked thigh), hooker Sean Hardman (Achilles tendon) and wing Peter Hynes (knee) - were all expected to play.
Reds Head Coach Phil Mooney said McMeniman was a welcome addition to the forward pack against a tough and abrasive Cheetahs side.

"We won't be under-estimating the Cheetahs on Sunday, they're a side with a lot of ability that hasn't had much luck in starting the season - which is something we have in common. But if our players focus on doing the little things well for the whole game we have the speed and the talent to play a very entertaining and effective style of rugby."

Mooney is also relishing a rare opportunity for some family-friendly "Sunday afternoon footy", in what is an unusual timeslot for the Investec Super 14 tournament.

"I'm sure there are a lot of people like me who, as kids, enjoyed watching Queensland play rugby on a Sunday afternoon. This is the chance for them to give their own kids a treat, with a double header of two great games - the 2nd XV playing the Junior Waratahs and then the Reds taking on the Cheetahs."

Registered junior rugby players have been given a card for free entry in 2009 if accompanied by a paying adult. Queensland Rugby is also offering budget-friendly deals in the form of pre-purchased $50 family passes, which admit two adults and two children (15 and under). The passes are $55 if bought at the gate.

Tickets are available through Ticketek.com.au and season memberships can be secured by calling the Reds hotline on 1300 733 899.

The team for the Cheetahs match is:

1 Greg Holmes (Sunnybank)
2 Sean Hardman (Brothers)
3 Laurie Weeks (University)
4 Van Humphries (Souths)
5 Hugh McMeniman (Wests)
6 Scott Higginbotham (Wests)
7 Daniel Braid (Sunshine Coast Stingrays)
8 Leroy Houston (Norths)
9 Ben Lucas (Sunnybank)
10 Quade Cooper (Souths)
11 Peter Hynes (GPS)
12 Berrick Barnes (c) (Wests)
13 Digby Ioane (Sunnybank)
14 Brando Va'aulu (University)
15 Mark McLinden (Sunnybank)

16 Saia Fainga'a (Souths)
17 Dayna Edwards (Sunnybank)
18 Adam Byrnes (University)
19 Poutasi Luafutu (Wests)
20 Will Genia (Norths)
21 Anthony Fainga'a (Souths)
22 Blair Connor (Norths)

 

[disco]

If Horwill was fit then that would be our best possible team hopefully we can keep them all on the park until big Kev gets back on deck.

Maybe add Morgan T but I'm happy to have Ioane at 13.

 

[RugbyReg]

they way Ione played on the weekend, I am more than happy with him at 13, over Morgan. But he will be tested come the better teams. I am not sure about Brando though. Will be interested to see how Rodney Davies goes on the weekend.

 

[disco]

they way Ione played on the weekend, I am more than happy with him at 13, over Morgan.

Certainly looked safer in defence.

 

[fatprop]

Ioane has been really impressive so far, his biggest downfall is/has been his error rate (ball handling, breakdown penalties, dangerous tackles etc) but I assume the Deans influence has given him much better discipline.

 

[RugbyReg]

where he has impressed me is his skills. Formerly I thought he was a Wendell Sailor type. Fast and strong and not much else, but ever since the Aussie A series last year he's been showing a hell of a lot more skill. Even just the willingness to pass to support which seemed a missing element for him previously. But then even his kicking game has come on, and a variety of kicks, including the cheeky little inside ball on the weekend.

He's been the most surprisingly impressive player in Australian Rugby for me over the last 12 months.

 

[bussojets]

Hello everyone,

I am certain the Reds will get up.

 

[disco]

Hello everyone,

I am certain the Reds will get up.

G'day Bussojets,
Welcome to the scarf. We ll i'm confident we'll get up but the Reds need to play from the start & not just score tries when the game is almost gone.

 

[formeropenside]

Hello everyone,

I am certain the Reds will get up.

Welcome aboard.

I hope so too.

 

[RugbyReg]

Hello everyone,

I am certain the Reds will get up.

welcome, and I sure hope you're Ian Smith.

 

[bussojets]

haha unfortunately not! :thumb

 

[TOCC]

well good news, whilst i have now gotten out of a prior engagement which was preventing me from even watching the Reds match on Sunday, i have decided that it will be to late for me to drive from Brisbane to Toowoomba after the match..

so unfortunately im watching the match in Toowoomba on Sunday arvo

I did buy the new Reds jersey in support though, my last Reds jersey was from 2005

 

[Lee Grant]

where he has impressed me is his skills. Formerly I thought he was a Wendell Sailor type. Fast and strong and not much else, but ever since the Aussie A series last year he's been showing a hell of a lot more skill. Even just the willingness to pass to support which seemed a missing element for him previously. But then even his kicking game has come on, and a variety of kicks, including the cheeky little inside ball on the weekend.

He's been the most surprisingly impressive player in Australian Rugby for me over the last 12 months.

Agree with all this 100% Nod.

I criticised Ioane for his lack of skills and for being a one dimensional player - or rather two dimensional - running and tackling. His improvement has been marvellous. He still has to improve his long range kicking, needed more from wingers under the ELVs, to his repertoire, but he is looking more like a complete package game by game.

Another who has come on, since the EOYT started, is Mark Chisholm, but I digress.

 

[PaarlBok]

I hope the Cheetahs dont piss on your lots hopes. The game on sunday? Thats unusual but will help the Reds no end. Wish they can move our first tour matches also to the sunday to give the players one more day to refresh. Always know the Aussies twist some arms. Cheathers. :lmao:

 

[TOCC]

hmm, i never thought of that, i wonder if that is why the Reds are playing on Sunday

 

[formeropenside]

I hope the Cheetahs dont piss on your lots hopes. The game on sunday? Thats unusual but will help the Reds no end. Wish they can move our first tour matches also to the sunday to give the players one more day to refresh. Always know the Aussies twist some arms. Cheathers. :lmao:

The Reds back up v the Tahs on Friday night after, so the Tahs are the team that will (once again) sneak the unearned benefit.

 

[PaarlBok]

Thats a interesting one. So you lots play A teams as curtain raisers? Did not know that.

Our Vodacom Cup starts this weekend and all the back ups playing there. Also some of them playing in the Varsity Cup. Maties use some of them.

 

[TOCC]

the A-teams or Academy squads play the curtain raisers for a few matches, usually only a 1 match each.

for the Reds they will actually be having the 1st XV from the local school comps playing the curtain raisers for the rest of the year

 

[RugbyReg]

I reckon we are playing afternoon matches because they want the family ticket. Games v the Saffer teams don't draw well so we have two arvo games this year, v saffer teams. Thus they can get more familes there (such as me and my two eldest boys) which they may not have usually.

 

[PhucNgo]

Cooper MoTM - he'll have a field day against the big Cheetahs pack on a warm and sunny BrisVegas Sunday. If he keeps improving at this rate he'll push Gitts to 12 and leave Beale eating dust.