Reds v Crusaders

[Sully]

Kieran Read is out.

Hasn't recovered well enough from concussion

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...Kieran-Read-ruled-out-of-Crusaders-Reds-match

It's in the bag then. ;-)

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[biggsy]

No 4 points for a bye this year:-(



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I don't not no that for this year. Cheers.

 

[emuarse]

Every other finals contender will be cheering on the Reds on Sunday.

Homeground advantage has counted for so much this season, it's really hard to count the Reds out completely. The Crusaders have some injury problems of their own and the Reds will be hurting from last week's flogging.

The Force have been the only team able to win 5 in a row as far as I can tell. Other teams have won four in a row and then lost such as the Canes against the Tahs last Saturday. Hopefully the same happens to the Crusaders.

As an aside, I find it a little strange that the Reds had a game earlier in the season where they had their Mum's name on the back of their jersey yet this Sunday they're actually playing on Mother's Day.

Who knows, they might be wearing them again - after all, there are no changes. Mum's are a constant.

 

[RugbyReg]

As an aside, I find it a little strange that the Reds had a game earlier in the season where they had their Mum's name on the back of their jersey yet this Sunday they're actually playing on Mother's Day.

It's an afternoon game so was always going to be the best game to engage with the Jnrs for whom a night game may be an impediment on attending. Thus its their Jnr round.

The Mum's jersey was part of the Women's Round which landed on international Women's Day.

 

[wamberal]

This is the one the brave Reds belie their underdog status and win against all odds.

Isn't it?

 

[Hawko]

This is the one the brave Reds belie their underdog status and win against all odds.

Isn't it?

As a Tahs fan I sure hope so!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Kieran Read is out.

Hasn't recovered well enough from concussion

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...Kieran-Read-ruled-out-of-Crusaders-Reds-match

This is becoming a bit of a worry, already missed at least 1 game earlier in the season now this - hope he comes right in time for the business end of the season & Tests but also that he doesn't get thrown back in too soon (not much chance of that on Deb Robinson's watch) 'cos he's now the guy NZ can't afford to be without for the really big games, almost in a Dan Carter/ Richie McCaw circa 2007-10 kinda way.

 

[RedsHappy]

Well, oh well........some radical suggestions popping out of the woodwork now......perhaps Simmons to 6, maybe M Gunn (Ex Churchie GPS, Easts Premiers team last year, U20s) on the bench, see:

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...usaders-forwards/story-fnii0lp2-1226909503310

 

[qwerty51]

This is becoming a bit of a worry, already missed at least 1 game earlier in the season now this - hope he comes right in time for the business end of the season & Tests but also that he doesn't get thrown back in too soon (not much chance of that on Deb Robinson's watch) 'cos he's now the guy NZ can't afford to be without for the really big games, almost in a Dan Carter/ Richie McCaw circa 2007-10 kinda way.

Aren't you lucky Kaino is back!

 

[light]

Well, oh well....some radical suggestions popping out of the woodwork now..perhaps Simmons to 6, maybe M Gunn (Ex Churchie GPS, Easts Premiers team last year, U20s) on the bench, see:

Well that's a bit left field. Gunny has undeniable talent but that is a baptism of fire coming on against the Crusaders.

Also definitely not a fan of Simmons at 6, ever.

 

[USARugger]

Aren't you lucky Kaino is back!

Vito's not exactly playing poorly either.

MUST BE NICE

 

[USARugger]

Well, oh well....some radical suggestions popping out of the woodwork now..perhaps Simmons to 6, maybe M Gunn (Ex Churchie GPS, Easts Premiers team last year, U20s) on the bench, see:

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...usaders-forwards/story-fnii0lp2-1226909503310

If Graham starts Simmons at 6 over Browning and moves EOD into a starting lock position I don't even actually know what I'm going to do.

Completely lost for words at the possibility of that shit even happening.

 

[hammertimethere]

I'd rather they punt on McDuling at 6. He's the same size as Rob and with as much or more skill and mobility than EOD, and that's probably his best position at the top level. He's also hard as granite. What that would do is it would allow Curtis to cover all 3 back row positions (which he can) off the bench, EO'D to cover lock as per and no need to throw a young fellow like Gunn in prematurely.

Basically I'd feel a lot better throwing Dules in the deep end against the Crusaders pack of ogres than Gunn. He's better equipped for it.

That said, I'm not too upset by this because it shows that at least Graham is recognising change is necessary and is trying to think laterally and search for solutions.

 

[RedsHappy]

I'd rather they punt on McDuling at 6. He's the same size as Rob and with as much or more skill and mobility than EOD, and that's probably his best position at the top level. He's also hard as granite. What that would do is it would allow Curtis to cover all 3 back row positions (which he can) off the bench, EO'D to cover lock as per and no need to throw a young fellow like Gunn in prematurely.

Basically I'd feel a lot better throwing Dules in the deep end against the Crusaders pack of ogres than Gunn. He's better equipped for it.

That said, I'm not too upset by this because it shows that at least Graham is recognising change is necessary and is trying to think laterally and search for solutions.

If what was speculated in the above article actually transpires, and based upon the resulting outcomes come Sunday, it will intriguing to assess if this is/was 'RG thinking laterally' and finding productive new solutions, or more a Deans-like adventure into reckless changes such as playing key players out of position and/or inexplicable selections that ended in debacles.

 

[RugbyReg]

or just the fact he has no other options due to injuries.

 

[Redsfan]

or just the fact he has no other options due to injuries.

But that's just not true. He certainly does have other options. Hell, he has even acknowledged that he has other options when talking about it to the media. Part of good coaching is exercising good judgement. Graham doesn't seem to be able to do that. I think that he is out of his depth at this level.

 

[biggsy]

Our most penilzed player being Simmons rumored to play 6. Hope he is not quick off the side of the scrum.

 

[Dumbledore]

Browning must be doing something wrong in training. That's surely the only explanation? Unless Graham really hasn't liked what he's seen of him in his limited gametime and reckons he just isn't ready yet.

 

[Ash]

Well, Gunn didn't even make the U20s squad this year, which might hint about something with his form, too.

 

[RugbyReg]

But that's just not true. He certainly does have other options. Hell, he has even acknowledged that he has other options when talking about it to the media. Part of good coaching is exercising good judgement. Graham doesn't seem to be able to do that. I think that he is out of his depth at this level.

what options does he have this weekend? Quirk and Gill out. There's no other options that to use the likes of Gunn and Browning, other than Simmo as he suggests.