Bullrush
John Hipwell (52)
It will be great to see a sea of Red at Lang Park on Sunday. I really hope the rain holds off and 52,000 show up.
Given the team colours of both outfits, the red sea is pretty likely.....
It will be great to see a sea of Red at Lang Park on Sunday. I really hope the rain holds off and 52,000 show up.
Wonderful for QLD, Australian Rugby and SANZAR more generally. The QLD crowds have responded to their team's success, and turned out in fantastic numbers. However, I also think this crowd is a reflection of the high esteem in which the Crusaders are held. If the Reds were playing the Lions this Sunday, I doubt that the crowd would be this big. Rugby supporters want to see the stars playing. Players like McCaw, Carter, SBW, Thorn, Wyatt Crockett, Fruean, Guildford and Owen Franks are stars. And that is why the NZRU's recent re-signing of Carter and McCaw was such a coup for all of SANZAR not just NZ. When SANZAR retains its star players, all three countries benefit.
However, I also think this crowd is a reflection of the high esteem in which the Crusaders are held. If the Reds were playing the Lions this Sunday, I doubt that the crowd would be this big.
50000 tickets have now been sold
I hope this game lives up to expectations, The reds have had a 16 day break which should freshen them up but often hinders sides. As a crusaders fan living in brisvegas I just hope these teams finish 1,2 so we can watch them again in the grand final. Does anyone know best place to buy a kids reds jersey? Anywhere at Chermside shops?
Geez, with all the hyperbole going on here, I hope the game lives up to it. I mean it should...
Time to start getting excited for this match. With all the hype and hoopla that has surrounded this fixture, in some ways it is disappointing that it is being played on a Sunday. A Saturday afternoon start would have meant 24 less anxious, nervous hours for me to wait. By Sunday I expect the excitement and tension levels will have built up to the point where the anticipation will be almost unbearable . Regardless, with a crowd of close to 50,000 expected I am sure that the QRU is very pleased with the scheduling of the game.
So much has been talked about the scrum contest. And yes the Crusaders should have an edge at scrum time. But the Crusaders tight forwards will also have to play very well to match the Reds front row in other facets if their team is to be competitive. The Reds front row has been a revelation in general play, and their Crusader counterparts will have to match them in this area if the Red’n’blacks are to compete in general play. The Reds pack have worked tirelessly at the tackle area, and have been adept at both securing counter-ruck turnovers, and recycling their own attacking ball with lightening speed.
I enjoyed Rod Kafer’s analysis on the Reds and Crusaders last night. As Kafer pointed out on last night’s Rugby Club, the Reds tight forwards are being used increasingly used as effective ball-runners close in to the ruck. The Reds will attack repeatedly through forward ball runners on either side of ruck, and because they know exactly which channels their team mates will be aiming for, they are very proficient at recycling ball. And when they are able to secure fast ball, and catch the defense on the back foot or outnumbered numerically, Genia is able to unleash hell through Quade Cooper and his potent backline.
One area of the game where the Reds will hold a clear, and potentially match winning advantage is at half back. Will Genia is arguably the form no.9 in SANZAR, with such a well rounded game. He directs his pack better than any halfback in the competition, has a great kicking game, a timely and accurate passing game, is brilliant defensively and poses a threat individually as a very effective and dangerous ball runner. His leadership and decision making is so important to this relatively inexperienced Reds team. In contrast, Willie Heinz is a gutsy but relatively limited journeyman. The Crusaders 3rd choice halfback (and arguably lucky not to be 4th choice given the quality of Steve Alfeld, who is in the Crusaders wider training squad and will be on the bench come Sunday), he will give 100% to the cause, and has built up a reputation as a combative and ultra-competitive scrumhalf for his Christchurch club Linwood. But he’s clearly not in the same league as Genia. Not even close. This mismatch puts extra pressure on Dan Carter to perform, who himself has only recently returned from injury and is opposing the rampant, in-form Quade Cooper.
It's the Reds and not the Tahs so there is no issue with living up to expectations. :fishing :lmao:
Queenslanders sure know how to get on a bandwagon, don't they?![]()
WALLABIES coach Robbie Deans believes Queensland are genuine Super Rugby title contenders this season and expects their summit showdown with his former side the Crusaders on Sunday to be a "ripper".
The ladder-leading Reds are tipped to draw an Australian Super record crowd of more than 40,000 to the Suncorp Stadium clash.
It looms as a classic contest between the seven-time Super champion New Zealand franchise and the rising young Reds combination, who are coming off a bye.
"It's going to be a ripper, we are going to see a lot and I suspect we're going to learn a lot," Deans said today.
"It will be up a notch. Both are genuine title contenders.
"The Crusaders have the history, the Reds are on the climb, they are fresh, they have had time to prepare, to plan and are playing at home.
"I can't wait."
Asked what Queensland had added this year to become title contenders Deans said: "A bit of starch."
"They got close last year, but ultimately dropped off at the business end and that would have been a source of frustration to them.
"You learn from those things. They are a young group and you can see it's not only the playing group, but also the public are excited about it."
Deans expected fifth-placed NSW to produce a big performance against the Sharks in Durban on Sunday morning (AEST).
"I am expecting good things from them this weekend, they've named a good team," Deans said.
"I think they've clearly been in the spotlight and a bit of scrutiny.
"We saw a response in the first half last week (against the Lions). They are aware of their circumstances.
"They came into the year with real ambition and hit the ground running and they are at their point of no return, so I think you'll see a similar response on the weekend."
Deans wasn't overly worried by the presence of the three other Australian Super franchises in the bottom four.
"It's a very competitive competition and you say (those sides are near the) bottom, but there's nothing in it," he said.
He said positives could still be drawn from those struggling teams as some of their international players were maturing and would ultimately benefit from playing in adverse circumstances
I don't quite know where to put this, but the official Super Rugby facebook page has this poll up:
"Which match up most excites you this weekend Super fans? Let us know!
Quade Cooper v Dan Carter
Tom Carter v Meyer Bosman"
Erm... the first one.
I don't quite know where to put this, but the official Super Rugby facebook page has this poll up:
"Which match up most excites you this weekend Super fans? Let us know!
Quade Cooper v Dan Carter
Tom Carter v Meyer Bosman"
Erm... the first one.
Genia is without doubt the best 9 in the world and arguably the best player in the world.
Not sure if serious...
Genia is without doubt the best 9 in the world and arguably the best player in the world.