Reds v Crusaders

[chief]

QRU need to be working of this high at the moment and signing as many of the team as possible. Start with Hynes and Cooper pronto.

Don't jump the gun on Cooper, he's still got a court case to deal with, that could very well result in some career ending proceedings.

that is true, however its easy to throw a clause in there in regards to the outcome of the court case, waiting until after the S14 to re-sign Cooper is leaving it a bit risky especially with the Force and Rebels prowling for a new 5/8.

Well we have to start trying to secure a player like Toomoua as well, as no doubt he could be leaving the Brumbies for a regular starting spot. Shame the court case is in July and not June or May.

 

[RugbyReg]

I'd like to get Tom Hockings back but think he's still contracted for another year.

I wonder if Chisholm would like to come home? He's off contract this year.

 

[tranquility]

Tom Hocking would be a great signing. Could easily happen too.

 

[Ash]

Ezra Taylor surely has to be moved to lock? He played as a lock/6 at the Highlanders, albeit a short one.

 

[RugbyReg]

you'd keep Van and Byrnes at lock wouldn't you Ash? Bring the big E off the bench?

 

[TOCC]

byrnes and humprhies starting with simmons off the bench, i know some people were underwhelmed by simmons performance but im still confident he has what it takes.

 

[liquor box]

QRU need to be working of this high at the moment and signing as many of the team as possible. Start with Hynes and Cooper pronto.

Don't jump the gun on Cooper, he's still got a court case to deal with, that could very well result in some career ending proceedings.

that is true, however its easy to throw a clause in there in regards to the outcome of the court case, waiting until after the S14 to re-sign Cooper is leaving it a bit risky especially with the Force and Rebels prowling for a new 5/8.

I think Cooper will stay because of Sanchez, they will be picked together for the Wallabies with Gits at indide centre. Barnes will be the big loser for leaving QLD....I will not shed a tear

 

[TOCC]

QRU need to be working of this high at the moment and signing as many of the team as possible. Start with Hynes and Cooper pronto.

Don't jump the gun on Cooper, he's still got a court case to deal with, that could very well result in some career ending proceedings.

that is true, however its easy to throw a clause in there in regards to the outcome of the court case, waiting until after the S14 to re-sign Cooper is leaving it a bit risky especially with the Force and Rebels prowling for a new 5/8.

I think Cooper will stay because of Sanchez, they will be picked together for the Wallabies with Gits at indide centre. Barnes will be the big loser for leaving QLD....I will not shed a tear

fair point, but then again Quade might look at the Force and see the opportunity to pair up with James O'Connor or look to Victoria and see the opportunity to play with the likes of Cipriani, Mortlock, Pocock, Habana and Gasnier*

*obviously speculation


anyway, getting off topic...

 

[Ash]

you'd keep Van and Byrnes at lock wouldn't you Ash? Bring the big E off the bench?

Yeah, assuming Van is OK. I'm a bit suspicious that the ol' warhourse that is Van may be past it, despite improving with age in the last few years. Maybe he's like a fine wine; matured late and now he's leaving his drinking years.

I'm not sold on Simmons yet. If Van isn't OK, I wouldn't mind seeing how Taylor goes off the bench at lock. Hopefully he'd be better than at 6. With Higgenbotham being able to jump well they should be able to carry a shorter second lock.

I would be a bit about the lineouts with no Humphries or Horwill, though.

Also wouldn't be surprised if Schatz is swapped around with Houston at some stage as well. (Houston to 8, Higgenbotham to 6, Schatz bench). Would Schatz be physically up to starting several S14 games in a row at this stage of his career?

 

[Sully]

He certainly looked up to it. He will be a big boy when he grows up.

 

[TOCC]

you'd keep Van and Byrnes at lock wouldn't you Ash? Bring the big E off the bench?

Yeah, assuming Van is OK. I'm a bit suspicious that the ol' warhourse that is Van may be past it, despite improving with age in the last few years. Maybe he's like a fine wine; matured late and now he's leaving his drinking years.

I'm not sold on Simmons yet. If Van isn't OK, I wouldn't mind seeing how Taylor goes off the bench at lock. Hopefully he'd be better than at 6. With Higgenbotham being able to jump well they should be able to carry a shorter second lock.

I would be a bit about the lineouts with no Humphries or Horwill, though.

Also wouldn't be surprised if Schatz is swapped around with Houston at some stage as well. (Houston to 8, Higgenbotham to 6, Schatz bench). Would Schatz be physically up to starting several S14 games in a row at this stage of his career?

Van only had a concussion, normally they are only 1 week lay-offs, i dont think Taylor is tall enough to play lock, and considering our lineouts are already shaky i would be more inclined to go with maximum height possible. Lineouts have improved in importance with the way the new rules are been policed.

 

[tranquility]

Okay. Missed this match becuase of beer commitments on the weekend. So just re-watched the match then (love iQ).

Umm I kinda expected it to be one of those matches where everything went out way and the momentum just swung with us all night, but it wasn't like that. It was a gutsy win, excellent defense - good turnovers.

Still a bit scratchy at times - can be a bit rudderless with alignment of first phase options particularity off turn over ball.

Few notes; Shatzy had a belter of a debut and will have to start next week. This is a solid no-nonsense, high workrate bluechip footballer. I like that Link is blooding them, but don't chop and change if the young blokes deserve to be rewarded. I think he will stay also because Link is wary of giving and game time to Leroy easily - he wants him to work for his spot.

I thought Byrnes was good - he now looks like a genuine Super rugby Lock & with Van breaking down and Horwill out is suddenly a critical player for the Reds. Didnt think his yellow was cynical.

I am concerned about Simmonds - but I do understand that Locks take time. There a little bit like all-rounders in cricket you just have the picked the best potential ones and just stick with em.

Plenty to work on - but looking good.

 

[Ruggo]

Well done to the Reds. Made for an exciting night at my place on Friday night. With the outstanding performance of Davies, we now have the most destructive back three in the comp. Link and his business as usual attitude is the key this week in my view. I can't help but remember us putting a red hot Sharks team away last year, only to get lost in the excitment and go on to provide nothing the next week. Now on to the Blues. I hope our scrum is a work in progress because I see the Blues a tougher opponant there. The Reds have a good chance to exploit there lineout though. Blues are a far less composed team than the Crusaders and if the Reds can maintain focus, they should be able to dictate the terms of the game and do alright.

Well done Quade on the record. It is great to see him maturing as a rugby player, without styfling his raw talant. To be as focussed on the field as he has been given his off field dramas is a credit to him.

Bad luck to Kev, shitty to say the least. :'(

On another note, ha ha Barnes. He looked as comortable as a gay bloke in a hooters bar against the Stormers. :lmao: