Reds v. Crusaders, May 29th, Suncorp - 2011R15

[ACT Crusader]

BTW I love how Beau Robinson plays and at this point is the closest thing to George Smith and really should be in the Wallaby squad and first man in if Pocock gets crook, but I just don't get the "McCaw gets special treatment" card that gets rolled out all the time in an attempt to prove some point.

 

[chriscullen]

Just home from the game, you won't see me whining about any ref decisions, as we all know we've all been on the winning/losing side of games by decisions over the years. I really enjoyed the game, I thought the crusaders should have gone for the try when behind late by 4 points but I'd love to see these sides again.

 

[Scarfman]

Can I be the first to say that there's no way Beau will get near Robbie's team. I couldn't tell you why, but I feel it in me waters.

 

[Victorian Reds Fan]

Let me guess you've used the same rigorous scientific measure in making this assessment as the "Crusaders only score on counter-attack".

Beau Robinson has got the 'rub of the green' in every Reds game he's played this year, and tonight was no different.

How did the Crusaders score their only try?

 

[Tordah]

Crusaders were absolutely robbed. It looked like a stitch up. There was no way that was a penalty at the end. Ball on the Crusaders side, no ruck and Richie on his feet.

Very odd decision by Carter to kick it deep though? WTF was he thinking? Richie only has himself to blame for taking the points and not the scrum. Wish Canno addressed that in the post-interview.

I agree, especially about the long restart. I wonder if that was accidental, or what he was thinking if he did it on purpose. But I think taking the points instead of the scrum was always going to be the better option, it didn't work for the Tahs against the Reds either:fishing.

 

[qwerty51]

Can I be the first to say that there's no way Beau will get near Robbie's team. I couldn't tell you why, but I feel it in me waters.

No, don't personally see why people think Beau will get a run either. Not this year anyway.

 

[Victorian Reds Fan]

What was with the attempted Carter drop goal? I thought that was a certain try out wide.

 

[qwerty51]

I agree, especially about the long restart. I wonder if that was accidental, or what he was thinking if he did it on purpose. But I think taking the points instead of the scrum was always going to be the better option, the way Dick's been blowing. Also, it didn't work for the Tahs against the Reds.

Definite wrong call I have to say in the context of the game. Stu was pinging the Crusaders at the breakdown all game so down by 2 and 8 mins to go you need to score a try imo. Another scrum would've either resulted in a penalty try, yellow card or another penalty. They had clear dominance and a penalty wasn't going to cut it. Baffling call but Carter's kick was even stranger.

 

[ACT Crusader]

Can I be the first to say that there's no way Beau will get near Robbie's team. I couldn't tell you why, but I feel it in me waters.

You might be right scarfman. It may be similar to the ABs where many think only McCaw will be selected with someone like Messam or Adam Thomo covering from the bench. If McCaw is out injured then a specialist (Braid, Todd) might come in.

Pocock will start every game at 7 with someone versatile (is Hodgson playing?) covering from the bench perhaps. BUt Pocock gets injured and a specialist like Beau would be the best option and comes into the squad that way

 

[Scarfman]

No, don't personally see why people think Beau will get a run either. Not this year anyway.

Well, I think he's been outstanding. I don't see why he shouldnt be in the team but I just get the feeling he is not the Robbie Deans type.

 

[tranquility]

So is someone else going to start the Liam Gill SOS thread or should I?

cue slim in 3...2...1...

I'll contribute if you start it. That was my first thought when Beau went off. We actually do need him.

Amazing game of rugby!!

 

[qwerty51]

Well, I think he's been outstanding. I don't see why he shouldnt be in the team but I just get the feeling he is not the Robbie Deans type.

A player who has never been close to the set-up isn't going to make it in a WC year behind the best player. Back-up or not it will go to someone more versatile and experienced like Hodgson. Not to mention he's now injured.

 

[barbarian]

Game was won and lost in the back row. Higgers/Samo/Beau comprehensively beat McCaw/Reid/Whitelock IMO.

Crusaders should rightfully feel dirty about the last decision, but they had plenty of opportunities to take the ref out of the game but were not good enough to capitalise. That is rugby.

 

[Tangawizi]

That win will put millions into the QRU's pockets. Extra 10,000 tickets sold for next weekend and a home semi!

The last minute victory was exactly what rugby in Queensland needed. Bring forth your conspiracy theories Kiwis but the score is on the board now. Well played both teams - very tense affair played in the right spirit - hard but fair.

Now back to the actual action, i know Quade missed 3 kickable penalties tonight but fuck me, he did some amazing things out there. What a superstar of the game.

 

[qwerty51]

but they had plenty of opportunities to take the ref out of the game but were not good enough to capitalise. That is rugby.

Sorry what does that mean? I know you didn't mean literally but how does one take the ref out of the game?

 

[fatprop]

Great win for the Reds, but the crusaders can consider themselves pretty hard done by, a number of forward passes and tough calls didn't go their way

 

[barbarian]

Sorry what does that mean? I know you didn't mean literally but how does one take the ref out of the game?

By scoring enough points that they can absorb a few dodgy penalties and still win. Basically if they scored a try in the last ten minutes they would have taken the ref out of the game. Or asserted their dominance in the previous 70 minutes. But they didn't, and left themselves wide open to be stung in the final minutes. The poor decision wasn't their fault obviously, but they should have known that taking the points instead of pushing for the try would leave them open to a last minute pg win.

 

[RedsHappy]

Even better played by MR. Cheers for the gesture of good sportsmanship.

Couldn't agree more, welcome back MR, I hope it's a while before the reverse is required from me/us when the ABs show us a thing or two (again).

 

[HKTiger]

Yeah, it was a great game, but it was marred because the decision was crucial and game deciding and ultimately wrong. I reckon Crusaders would have won with any other referee today. Pointless arguing, though. Both teams were pretty flakey at times

The decision was right. Richie had to step over, and then a player could come in and pick it up. That's how it was interpreted and called. Penalty all afternoon long. That's how it had been called all afternoon long.

 

[Reddy!]

Aww poor Crusaders can feel hard done by can they? AWw poor Richie didn't like that final decision? We should feel sorry for the poor Crusaders? Well suck it up! Richie was cheating all day long and got his just desserts at the end, correct decision or not. Tough titties for letting the Reds play in your 22 in the final 2 minutes of the game.

The Reds showed great character, however, to stick to their guns for the whole 80mins. 2 trys to 1 - they thoroughly deserved the win. Greatest rugby team of all time.