Reds v Highlanders, Brisbane

[Geeves]

Read this article adn if you just go to the end Lucas may be at 10 and Cooper at 12.

I'm not jumping for joy at this suggestion as the defensive combinaton has me worried. Chambers will have to do a lot more covering than he has been used to with A.Finger. I'm expecting the Highlanders to be attacking this chanel.

 

[TOCC]

maybe Tapuai was having a off kicking game against GPS, but IMO it left a lot to be desired and his poor kicks in fact kept GPS in the game in the first half.

As for Lucas-Cooper, ultimately Lucas probably deserves a shot at 5/8, he has re-signed for 2 more years even after minimal game time in 2010.

 

[RugbyReg]

I'm not fussed about his kicking game. Ant Fainga'a barely kicks.

Can he tackle? That's all I want to know.

 

[TOCC]

im not fussed about his kicking game either, i was just pointing out that its far from a strength in his game..

he has quite a good tackling technique, his only problem is that he tends to upend players a bit... however i suppose anyone can tackle, its whether he can put himself in the correct position to make the tackle which really counts.

 

[Geronimo]

Read this article adn if you just go to the end Lucas may be at 10 and Cooper at 12.

I'm not jumping for joy at this suggestion as the defensive combinaton has me worried. Chambers will have to do a lot more covering than he has been used to with A.Finger. I'm expecting the Highlanders to be attacking this chanel.

I think you will find that in defence Lucas will cover for Cooper. His defence is a real strength and Cooper will take on a greater playmaker role than A Finger had at twelve. It will be interesting to see how it goes. A Finger has been incredibly consistent this season

 

[matty_k]

Didn't Link say he going to mix things up for this week.
And seeing that they only have an incredibly unlikely chance (crusaders v brumbies draw & 'tahs v 'canes draw or win by more than 90 points + other games going their way) to make the finals now why not give something different a go.

I don't think that you should look at this negatively. Link is preparing for next year. He needs to know his back up play maker can step up.

 

[scrubber]

Didn't Link say he going to mix things up for this week.
And seeing that they only have an incredibly unlikely chance (crusaders v brumbies draw & 'tahs v 'canes draw or win by more than 90 points + other games going their way) to make the finals now why not give something different a go.

I don't think that you should look at this negatively. Link is preparing for next year. He needs to know his back up play maker can step up.

Reckon Link should play Ben L. as well and hopefully he does step up -

 

[Geeves]

Lucas had a good start to his Reds carer as a solid half-back in 2008. But got the second year syndrome and could not re create the form in 2009. If you consider that Genia was his back up in 2008, Genia's development has been outstanding.

My comments in regards to defence is that this year Lucas and Cooper have not been spending a hell of a lot of time on the park. The counter attack by opposing teams has often been nullified by A. Finger hard hitting body on the line, when in doubt use my head approach.

As the oppositions coach I would be noting this change and targeting it. For Lucas it will be interesting to see if he can deliver the same impact he had with his the 35 point haul in the finals finally into the next level.

 

[Reddy!]

Yeh I support this move, I hope Quade doesn't try and take over the show though and stuff it up.

 

[TOCC]

Ed Quirk will be on the bench this weekend

 

[RugbyReg]

confirmed?

 

[tranquility]

That would be awesome. Quirk is more than ready.

 

[TOCC]

its not confirmed until the team is released, but it is the word on the street

 

[chief]

Apparently he's not denying it on his Facebook page. Let's hope Gill joins him!

 

[Lee Grant]

If you consider that Genia was his back up in 2008, Genia's development has been outstanding.

Agreed.

I thought he was better than Lucas before he got to start in front of him. In case people think I'm reinventing history I said at the time that when Genia came on you could see the specialist scrum half was the real deal compared to the converted flyhalf.

I also said later that it was a pity that Genia was suspended for 4 weeks and that he was injured when he came back. He could have played for the Wallabies in 2009 said I. I didn't think he had much of a chance because of his time out but I under-estimated the selectors. They picked him as soon as they could based on not too many starting games.

Sometimes their rugby wisdom astounds me.

 

[chief]

Its one thing I value about Nucifora, I never thought he was too much of a coach, but I think he's an outstanding player spotter.

 

[TOCC]

it was something i pointed out back in 2009 as well, but it was no coincidence that the Reds hot/cold season seemd to fluctuate depending on whether Genia or Lucas started..

QLD best performance in 2009 were when Genia was starting, there worst performances were when Lucas was starting..

Not having a dig at Lucas, i rate him, but his not nearly the halfback that Genia is.

 

[Scotty]

If you consider that Genia was his back up in 2008, Genia's development has been outstanding.

Agreed.

I thought he was better than Lucas before he got to start in front of him. In case people think I'm reinventing history I said at the time that when Genia came on you could see the specialist scrum half was the real deal compared to the converted flyhalf.

I also said later that it was a pity that Genia was suspended for 4 weeks and that he was injured when he came back. He could have played for the Wallabies in 2009 said I. I didn't think he had much of a chance because of his time out but I under-estimated the selectors. They picked him as soon as they could based on not too many starting games.

Sometimes their rugby wisdom astounds me.

If my memory serves me correctly, Genia started at 9 at the Reds before Lucas did? Think he was only 18 at the time.

Also, part of the reason that Genia was rushed into the Wallabies was the very average performances of Burgess at the time.

 

[Spook]

Genia would have started earlier but was injured - his S14 form last year was easily the best on any aussie scrum half. I don't think he was rushed in. He came off the bench a few times and played well. He got the experience he needed and BrisVegas was the right moment to play him.

 

[scrubber]

Don't know why but Morahan appears to be on the outer - Can anyone throw some light on the issue