Reds v Highlanders, Brisbane

[RugbyReg]

So it would seem we will be missing Anthony Fainga'a now too.

What's the thinking?

15 Hynes
14 Morahan
13 Chambers
12 Tapaui/Turinui
11 Ioane
10 Cooper
9 Genia
8 Houston
7 Braid (back isn't he?)
6 Higgers
5 Samo
4 Van
3 Weeks
2 FaingaaS
1 Daley

16 Hardman
17 Holmes
18 Taylor
19 Schatz (although tempted to bring Gill in)
20 Lucas
21 Turinui/Tapuia
22 Vaaulu

 

[scrubber]

So it would seem we will be missing Anthony Fainga'a now too.

What's the thinking?

15 Hynes
14 Morahan
13 Chambers
12 Tapaui/Turinui
11 Ioane
10 Cooper
9 Genia
8 Houston
7 Braid (back isn't he?)
6 Higgers
5 Samo
4 Van
3 Weeks
2 FaingaaS
1 Daley

16 Hardman
17 Holmes
18 Taylor
19 Schatz (although tempted to bring Gill in)
20 Lucas
21 Turinui/Tapuia
22 Vaaulu

The Question is Nod now that we are out of it (reality) should players leaving the Reds be "rewarded" with the last game. Lets bring on some new blood, blokes of 2011 and beyond and put the established blokes like Braid, Weeks, Hardman, Hynes and Turinui on bench - they are gone anyway on Monday.
Reds have had a great resurgence in 2010 and Link better start thinking (as I sure he has) about 2011.

 

[Ruggo]

No way. Sean Hardman should be getting a great send off for his service to the Reds. To throw him on the scrap heap is insulting.

Players that have contributed to this year should be rewarded for their service and given the chance to end the season on a high.

 

[scrubber]

No way. Sean Hardman should be getting a great send off for his service to the Reds. To throw him on the scrap heap is insulting.

Players that have contributed to this year should be rewarded for their service and given the chance to end the season on a high.

Not saying throw Sean on scrapheap - give him some time and at end of match so can be appreciated for his efforts for the Reds and then give him a gold watch (anyway has been on bench heaps this year hasn't he - actually how many times has he started in 2010). Don't the players receive $$$$$$ and are considered professionals

 

[Geeves]

I would prefer to see the Reds finish with their strongest team possible. Cap the season with a 5 pointer and sit back and reflect on how bloody well they have done. I would hate to think that players like Braid, Weeks (both massive losses) and co who are heading off next year are treated in that fashion after all the hard work they have done.

The highlanders although not having a great season are too good a side to be taken lightly. More than once the Highlanders have knocked out QLD from the semis race in the final round. The scrum since weeks has been injured has struggled and the highlanders should not be given any advantage. Any thought that they will simply turn up to loose is stupid.

The team noddy suggests looks solid and I want to see Morhan have another run. Although I'll be surprised if Turinui gets on as this is the second time Link has thrown him onto the scrap heap.

 

[Reddy!]

Yep field the best team possibly and hope the Brumbies and Waratahs win; if we aren't going to make finals, I want to finish fifth and finish in a ruthless style. Having 3 Australian teams in the top 5 is only a good thing for Wallaby camp and the Reds confidence.

Despite our last 2 losses (away mind) I'm still really happy with the progress of the Reds this season and Australian rugby should be very proud. This Reds team has achieved too much this season to lose their last game of the season.

I hope they get a good crowd also, they deserve it.

 

[Scotty]

I'll be there as part of a group of 28 people! The bandwagon is still rolling!

 

[Ruggo]

No way. Sean Hardman should be getting a great send off for his service to the Reds. To throw him on the scrap heap is insulting.

Players that have contributed to this year should be rewarded for their service and given the chance to end the season on a high.

Not saying throw Sean on scrapheap - give him some time and at end of match so can be appreciated for his efforts for the Reds and then give him a gold watch (anyway has been on bench heaps this year hasn't he - actually how many times has he started in 2010). Don't the players receive $$$$$$ and are considered professionals

Call it handing over the reigns, which I would say he has done pretty well. If he was not injured in the first game I am positive he would of started more and we would not of stumbled onto the talant of Saia. He may not carry the profile and the prestige of Smith and Morty but he has had the same level of impact for QLD as they have had for the Brumbies over the same period of time and deserves a respectful send off. I am not saying start him but I would like to see him get good game time.

 

[Ruggo]

Just see what happens. I am not convinced that a draw between the Crusaders and Brumbies is highly unlikely as I see both of these teams cancelling eachother out. Come Saturday night we may very well have somthing to play for other than pride and Wallaby jersey's. :

 

[RugbyReg]

I'll be there as part of a group of 28 people! The bandwagon is still rolling!

gees I hope its more than that!

"Tracking for 30,000" is what I heard.

I'll be there.

 

[Geronimo]

I'll be among the 30,000+. Go the Reds!!!!

 

[Geronimo]

Isn't Weeks still injured? I thought he was not playing

 

[George]

I will be there too!!!!!

 

[chief]

I reckon 30k will be the go. I also think they should bring Gill on, as he is definetly ready, and will be lacking from S14 level football for the greater part of 6 months, best off bringing him in now!

 

[TOCC]

I think they should start Hardman and give him a big send off, Saia is apparently recovering from a sore neck anyway, no need to aggravate the injury any further.

Apart from that, they should start the best possible team and finish the season with a bang and not a stutter, however if the call is 50/50 then they should lean towards the bloke who is remaining in 2010(eg vaalu vs morahan).

the big question is at inside centre, if Fainga isnt starting then who do you go with, either Tapuai or Turinui?

I was impressed with Tapuia the other day in the Sunnybank vs GPS game, he has a good running game.

 

[RugbyReg]

TOCC, that'd be a 50-50 call I reckon, and thusly using your logic (which I agree with) you'd go Benny T. Unless he's signed elsewhere?

One of the things I am looking forward to about the end of our season is finding out the rest of our signings!

 

[chief]

Its a shame the Reds financial situation has prevented an end of year tour for the Reds

 

[tranquility]

number twelve has to be Benny Tapuai - the kid is a freak. Watch for his deft kicking game.

 

[TOCC]

actually, if his kicking game in the Sunnybank - GPS game is anything to go by he still has a fair bit of work ahead of him, there were poorly positioned kicks and when he did get the accuracy correct, he didnt have the power behind the kick.

 

[tranquility]

he doesn't have a big kicking game, but he has a very creative kicking game. Adds good subtlety to his sublime running and good ball playing especially two passes wide of the ruck.