Reds v Force, Super Rugby Round 5, 2013

[Penguin]

The Tahs aren't winless though...

Yeah, but the Reds are still 8 places above them on the ladder.

 

[Slim 293]

Actually..........

6 places.... but only by 4 points...

And theoretically the Tahs could overtake the Reds on the ladder next week depending on results.........

 

[Penguin]

I don't know which ladder you're looking at Slim.
But from fifth to thirteenth position equals 8 spots in my world.

Pos Team P W D L F A PD B Pts 1. Brumbies 4 4 0 0 118 35 83 3 23 2. Chiefs 4 3 0 1 155 90 65 5 17 3. Bulls 4 3 0 1 108 105 3 1 13 4. Blues 3 2 0 1 89 56 33 3 15 5. Reds 5 3 0 2 84 85 -1 1 13 6. Sharks 4 3 0 1 73 69 4 0 12 7. Crusaders 3 1 0 2 84 82 2 3 11 8. Hurricanes 4 2 0 2 84 99 -15 1 9 9. Cheetahs 4 2 0 2 88 119 -31 1 9 10. Stormers 3 1 0 2 59 71 -12 1 9 11. Western Force 4 1 0 3 78 100 -22 1 9 12. Melbourne Rebels 4 1 0 3 82 107 -25 1 9 13. Waratahs 4 1 0 3 80 113 -33 1 9 14. Southern Kings 3 1 0 2 58 66 -8 0 8 15. Highlanders 3 0 0 3 65 100 -35 1 5

And the Reds are yet to claim the free 4 points for a bye :-l

 

[Slim 293]

Apologies, Rugbyheaven haven't updated their ladder with this match (yet, have updated later matches?!)..........

The Reds may not have had their bye yet but it really doesn't really affect the ladder so much now with teams getting 4 points..........

And my other point still stands......... the Tahs could theoretically overtake the Reds next week with a bp win and the Reds lose with 0 points.........

 

[flat_eric]

i thought saia had a bad game, gave away 2 crucial & avoidable penalties

He does this every game...

 

[Penguin]

I agree it doesn't matter in the overall scheme of things, however it does skew the ladder until all teams have had the bye.
And yes, theoretically you are correct.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

How much is Link in control of the Reds?

How much influence on the game does R Graham have?

Is the "downturn" related to this change in coaching staff/responsibilities?

How much can be related to injuries to Big Kev, Sanchez and no Diggers?

 

[ChargerWA]

I think it's a bit early to be blaming Graham. Don't worry, that time will come, but not yet.

The Reds look a shadow of their former selves. Most of the parts are there, it's just not quite clicking. Quade is a talisman for the reds and the start to the year hasn't been ideal. I think Kev coming back will make a massive difference.

 

[No4918]

How much is Link in control of the Reds?

How much influence on the game does R Graham have?

Is the "downturn" related to this change in coaching staff/responsibilities?

How much can be related to injuries to Big Kev, Sanchez and no Diggers?

It seems pretty clear that Link is still in control of the Reds. Just what input Graham is having will never be known. They came out and beat the Hurricanes by keeping the pill and starving them of possession so the brains trust is still working.

Force played well and will upset more teams this year. The loss of Diggers and Shipperley then Fainga'a just before the game would have hurt them. On paper they still should have won but the disruption would have cost them. Harris did not look great and is slow at 13 so maybe CFS at 13 with Toua on the wing would have worked better. Digby's close running was really missed. One change I would really like to see is Quade defending in the 10 channel. Can't remember a break out try this year on counter-attack and this is the second time the Reds have not scored a try. Take some of the pressure off Cooper to come up with the big plays and trust the other very good players in the squad to perform.

Not so concerned having watched the game as i was while reading the comments last night. Genia was very good on return, Horwill is back this week so things should be on the up. Hopefully Fainga'a is back next week because we really miss him as well. If not much has improved in a few weeks it might be time to worry.

 

[vidiot]

Cooper doesn't even look like he believed in himself last night. He's not bringing any composure to the reds at the moment, taking bad options that cost them time after time. Maybe Jono Lance should stand at 10 in attack and defence.

The Force did a great job of ruffling his feathers, Foley has always been good at turning games against the reds into a massive arm wrestle and the force were in hyperdrive getting off the defensive line and tearing into the breakdown.

Reds lacked any penetration. Morahan and Harris are looking at more time on the pine. Ioane, Shipperley and Fainga'a were missed badly.

 

[wamberal]

Probably a mistake to start Genia. With the benefit of hindsight, he should have come on at half-time. The Reds took the Force far too lightly.

 

[redstragic]

The Reds took the Force far too lightly.

Yep, right from when the Reds ran on they did not look like they respected the Force enough and were punished. Ant was a huge loss before the game. I hope they all have a rough week now and come out ready for the Bull's and the other teams after. The Super 15 does not have any easy beat teams, every week is a step up from the last.

The Brums are showing how it is done, every week step up from the last.

 

[Brumby Runner]

It seems pretty clear that Link is still in control of the Reds. Just what input Graham is having will never be known. They came out and beat the Hurricanes by keeping the pill and starving them of possession so the brains trust is still working.

Force played well and will upset more teams this year. The loss of Diggers and Shipperley then Fainga'a just before the game would have hurt them. On paper they still should have won but the disruption would have cost them. Harris did not look great and is slow at 13 so maybe CFS at 13 with Toua on the wing would have worked better. Digby's close running was really missed. One change I would really like to see is Quade defending in the 10 channel. Can't remember a break out try this year on counter-attack and this is the second time the Reds have not scored a try. Take some of the pressure off Cooper to come up with the big plays and trust the other very good players in the squad to perform.

Not so concerned having watched the game as i was while reading the comments last night. Genia was very good on return, Horwill is back this week so things should be on the up. Hopefully Fainga'a is back next week because we really miss him as well. If not much has improved in a few weeks it might be time to worry.

I thought the Reds' main deficiency was lack of speed in the backline. The ease with which Godwin was able to shut down F'Sautia after the Reds initially had at least a two or three man overlap was telling. Only Genia appears to have the turn of foot to pose a problem to most defences.

 

[Tangawizi]

What was with the hingeing call against Slipper in the 2nd half?

Why the fuck would he do that in a defensive scrum right in easy kicking range?

Seemed like a dodgy call to me.

 

[No4918]

Yep, right from when the Reds ran on they did not look like they respected the Force enough and were punished. Ant was a huge loss before the game. I hope they all have a rough week now and come out ready for the Bull's and the other teams after. The Super 15 does not have any easy beat teams, every week is a step up from the last.

The Brums are showing how it is done, every week step up from the last.

Agree with this. The Brumbies and Chiefs are the only sides really going well and it looks like there will be many challengers in the middle of the pack. Good to see a lot more competition in general.

 

[biggsy]

missed diggers ,Ant and Lucus.

The reds missed everything last night. They will be getting hammered on Monday.

 

[tigerland12]

missed diggers ,Ant and Lucus.

The reds missed everything last night. They will be getting hammered on Monday.

Missed Lucas big time.
I do not rate Frisby at all. Even against the Rebels I thought he was very over-rated, he scored one good try, but his passing game is rubbish.

CURRENTLY (before anyone jumps down my throat about potential), he is no better then a 3rd string half back.

 

[Boomer]

The Kings are not the mugs that they were reported to be when it was announced that they were to enter the competition.

As the season unfolds, it will be easier to put the loss in "that game" in perspective.

Perhaps you're right, hindsight being a wonderful thing.

Remember there were demands to shut up shop and move into professional basket-weaving after the loss.

 

[Shiggins]

Stoked about the win! I am down south for a wedding so I missed the game. I can't wait too get back and watch it. So the force must be the second best team in aus then.

 

[Quick Hands]

I'm find it rather sad the amount of Tah fans that wouldn't normally comment on a Reds thread suddenly come out of the woodwork to fling dung when there's an upset loss.
Sad, but not surprised.

Geez you guys are sensitive. From what I've seen fans from each of the Aussie teams regularly post on match threads. It's not particularly unusual. I only comment on match threads when I actually watch the match and if I have an observation, I make it. When I get to work tomorrow, I'll be having a similar light-hearted banter with my work mate who is a Reds supporter, and I suspect we'll agree that neither side are going that well.

And no, I don't take any particular delight in the Reds playing badly. I don't think it's very good for Australian rugby that there is one team out of five playing good rugby and the other four teams have varying moments of brilliance and incompetence.

In my humble opinion, with the exception of the Brumbies, on their day/night any of the other 4 teams could beat each other. Last night merely provides more evidence in support of this.