Reds v Highlanders Friday 30th May

[MungoMan]

The backs did the job, but don't seem to have much shape or a plan, just throw cut outs for the most part and try to go around. No angles, no moves, no much in side

Most astute, fat_prop. Highly perceptive. (Which is another way of saying, it sounds very much like the unsolicited commentary I myself inflict on my long-suffering wife and son).

Be nice to see the odd short inside ball from Genia to a flying back running inside out or a dummied No.10 cut-out then inside pop to a back running outside in.

But alas, the long ball is the only ball...

 

[USARugger]

How about some fucking second touches once in a while?! It's not like Lucas and Genia can't run through defenses if you set them up to do so.

 

[Lindommer]

fatprop's remark summarises the Reds entire 2014 season. My comment re the backs on the Reds 2014 thread touches the same subject: how so many astute observers rave on about this or that talented young back and yet they aren't getting better with both top-level coaching and game time (when they're not injured, that is)? Is it the coaching? Were this lot flat-track bullies as youngsters? The backs as a whole didn't look very good last night.

Apart from that sobering comment, well done Reds. A game I would've like to've been at.

 

[boyo]

Do better.

I couldn't resist.

 

[USARugger]

Harris is oh so very, very slow.

Not sure who is slower, Harris or Ant.

I will take the slow guy who is threatening to break the line on 3/4 of his touches as opposed to the menagerie of fast guys we have who are doing fuck-all in that regard, any and every single day of the week.

 

[qwerty51]

I've got absolutely no doubt that one of the reason's the Reds were able to score at the end was because Harris was on the field and the Highlanders were scared to contest the ball for the fear of a penalty.

 

[kiap]

I've got absolutely no doubt that one of the reason's the Reds were able to score at the end was because Harris was on the field and the Highlanders were scared to contest the ball for the fear of a penalty.

Hang on, mate, you spent the whole game saying the ref wouldn't give an attacking penalty!

And now this?

 

[swingpass]

Good to see a win doesn't change to knockers still.

Kev made some handling errors. Lumbering and ineffectual is an odd way to describe his performance. The reds forwards have been good all year, they were better last night providing much more front foot ball. Kev included.

seriously not knocking horwill i think in form he is a very good footballer and was a great and inspirational leader for both the reds and the wallabies. IMO last night i thought that once again he tried really hard but my lasting impression was of someone off the pace and frustrated at his own lost skill set.

 

[BDA]

seriously not knocking horwill i think in form he is a very good footballer and was a great and inspirational leader for both the reds and the wallabies. IMO last night i thought that once agin he tried really hard but my lasting impression was of some one of the pace and frustrated at his own lost skill set.

I'm calling bias provincialism. a big call maybe but if jones had played the game horwill did last night i reckon you'd be talking about how Jones helped them dominate the highlanders' pack. Sure Horwill made some mistakes but that's cause he was in everything. I serious cant even remember seeing the highlander locks.

By no means am i saying he is at his best but he was an important cog in the reds machine last night

 

[swingpass]

not disagreeing the reds pack were dominant, or even that horwill didn't contribute, he just looked so out of form that to me he needs a rest, not three tests against the frogs.

ps you are confusing me with some other mexicans, i love having the rebels in melbourne but i am actually quite a harsh critic of them

 

[BDA]

I agree he is not playing his best football, but if he plays like he did yesterday he is still better than most locks in the comp.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Exactly. Players already have to be compared to their opposition and competition. It's unfair to start rating them against their perceived potential as well

 

[Train Without a Station]

In a game where a team had constant front foot ball, won numerous tight heads and stole multiple line outs, it would take monumental brain fades and fuck ups to say any tight forward didn't have great games.

 

[Quick Hands]

I've got absolutely no doubt that one of the reason's the Reds were able to score at the end was because Harris was on the field and the Highlanders were scared to contest the ball for the fear of a penalty.

All teams do that, which is why an attacking side in the Red's situation can usually string so many phases together. I don't think it had much to do with Harris per se.

The main reason that the Reds had that opportunity was because the Highlanders decided to kick the ball to the Reds with less than a minute to go. One of the strangest and dumbest tactical decisions of the year.

 

[emuarse]

I'm quite distraught.
Was at the game and couldn't believe that last try by the Reds - sensational.
I thought, 'You beaut, I'll go home and watch my Foxtel recorded replay particularly of the lead up to the try', only to find my wife had ditched it to watch a lifestyle program.

Is there any way to watch the game or last try in particular

 

[Lindommer]

I hesitate to suggest what you should do to your wife, mine (God bless her) is well aware such action would be at serious risk to life and limb. Hers.

It'll probably be on the rugby show tonight at 9:50 and the other rugby show on Tuesday. If you want to watch the entire match there's a replay on Tuesday at 3:00pm. I find it's best to record the replay a couple of hours after the live broadcast, usually late on Friday/Saturday night or in the early hours on Saturday/Sunday morning. It's highly unlikely there'll be a conflict with anything else wanting to be viewed in my household.

 

[Braveheart81]

I'm quite distraught.
Was at the game and couldn't believe that last try by the Reds - sensational.
I thought, 'You beaut, I'll go home and watch my Foxtel recorded replay particularly of the lead up to the try', only to find my wife had ditched it to watch a lifestyle program.

Is there any way to watch the game or last try in particular

Looks like there is a replay on Foxsports 2 at 3pm Tuesday.

 

[emuarse]

Looks like there is a replay on Foxsports 2 at 3pm Tuesday.

Thank you BH81

 

[teach]

The main reason that the Reds had that opportunity was because the Highlanders decided to kick the ball to the Reds with less than a minute to go. One of the strangest and dumbest tactical decisions of the year.

Not really. I agree that they could have settled for a draw but what else could they have done? Run it from their 22? The hooter did not go until the ball was in the air so kicking to the crowd was not an option. Jamie Joseph has said that the game plan had apparently not involved kicking it out because they were wary of the Red's rolling maul. So that wasn't an option. (http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/highlanders/304407/rugby-other-results-go-highlanders-way)

The Highlanders were playing for the win, and I guess they were backing themselves defensively. They withstood a lot of crusader assaults on their line the previous week. All it would have taken is one dropped ball (likely after multiple phases) and they would been victorious. If you look at the game from the point of view that they threw it away in the first half, playing utterly atrocious rugby, then dominated the scoring in the second half, they may have been confident of getting a turnover. The way the Reds have played all season, not that bad an idea.

In hind sight the decision was not the best, but they were following a plan right at the death and going for a win. I applaud them for that. But to the victor goes the spoils. If they had held out the reds and snatched a draw, or heaven forbid, a victory, the Reds would be currently lambasted for stupid play, fading in the last ten etc etc.