Reds v Sharks

[Rugby Rat]

Fair bit of talent there. Scrum and lineouts a worry. Van Humphries a huge loss. Need to get the points on the board in the first 20 mins.

Can Quade and co come up with something special ? Yes. Will it be enough ? Maybe.

 

[RugbyReg]

Good to see Rod Davies getting a run

yep, its the rookies that will make this enjoyable watching.

Daley and Kennedy because new props are a valuable commodity, well good ones I mean.

Taylor has gotten some good reviews, but I can't get past him being a reject by the kiwis. They don't often let too much quality leave their system if they want them.

Connor has looked unsure at times so far so it will be interesting to see him with a full game. Tell you what, if Digby can brake the tackles and slip it to this lad, watch out.

And as you said Davies, still finding his feet I am sure, but had a good NH tour last year and would back himself to take Connor's spot if there are any slip ups.

 

[Sully]

Well our worst fears are realised! A couple of key injuries and we're munted. here we go again.

 

[Ash]

I'm hoping for a heroic Reds defeat with 2 bonus points so we can keep in touch with the middle of the pack.

 

[TOCC]

Good to see Rod Davies getting a run

yep, its the rookies that will make this enjoyable watching.

Daley and Kennedy because new props are a valuable commodity, well good ones I mean.

Taylor has gotten some good reviews, but I can't get past him being a reject by the kiwis. They don't often let too much quality leave their system if they want them.

Connor has looked unsure at times so far so it will be interesting to see him with a full game. Tell you what, if Digby can brake the tackles and slip it to this lad, watch out.

And as you said Davies, still finding his feet I am sure, but had a good NH tour last year and would back himself to take Connor's spot if there are any slip ups.

apparently when Taylor was captain of the one of the junior NZ sides he wrote a letter to the Reds asking to join there academy, that was back in 2004 or 2005.

maybe he just really wanted to play for QLD the whole time.

 

[disco]

Well our worst fears are realised! A couple of key injuries and we're munted. here we go again.

I wouldn't panic yet we have a bye next week & then we can expect Van, Holmes & Horwill all back on deck so hoping we don't get any more injuries we could see this team v the chiefs.

1.Holmes 2.Hardman 3.Weeks 4.Van 5.Horwill 6.MMM/Higgingbotham 7.Braid 8.Higgingbotham/Houston 9.Genia/Lucas 10.Cooper 11.Hynes 12.barnes 13.Ioane 14.Conner 15.McLinden.

Not a bad headache to have for Phil Mooney do you drop Houston or Van Humphries? Higgingbotham is a cert either at 6 or 8 MMM & Horwill certs as well no question.

I would go with 4.Van Humphries 5.Horwill 6.MMM 7.Braid 8.HB or maybe give MMM a go at 8.

 

[Grandmaster Flash]

Would you rush Howrill back into the starting team considering he's been out for so long and it's a foot injury? Pretty tough on Houston who has been playing pretty well.

 

[spectator]

Anyone going to that game tomorrow to report on it?

Not much to report from a Reds perspective. Hawkes Bay up 18-3. They dominated the forwards and controlled the game well. Can't say I recognised any of their players.

Schatz looks like he is progressing well and was the best forward. Fetoai and Edwards in the 2's this week but neither made an impact.

 

[formeropenside]

Anyone going to that game tomorrow to report on it?

Not much to report from a Reds perspective. Hawkes Bay up 18-3. They dominated the forwards and controlled the game well. Can't say I recognised any of their players.

Schatz looks like he is progressing well and was the best forward. Fetoai and Edwards in the 2's this week but neither made an impact.

The official view:

Hawkes Bay too good for Reds 2nd XV
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
The QAS Reds Academy 2nd XV were unable to cross the paint in their 18-3 loss to Hawkes Bay in dour and wet conditions at Ballymore.

Hawkes Bay displayed their experience, controlling territory and possession for the majority of their two tries to nil victory.

Reds? squad fullback Aidan Toua looked most likely to break their try scoring drought, but a penalty goal in the 30th minute to scrumhalf Brendan McKibbin was all the home side could manage.

Hawkes Bay 18 (Dan Joblin, Dan Waenga tries, Andrew Horrell, Aayden Clarke pens, Andrew Horrell con) def QAS Reds Academy 2nd XV 3 (Brendan McKibbin pen)

Hopefully more games like this can be arranged, perhaps with the odd EOYT by a NH club side, as well as the Reds EOYT.

 

[Lindommer]

The rise of Scott Higginbotham looks to be the highlight of the Reds' season, so far. When everyone's back on deck the back five are Van Humphries, Horwill, MMM, Higginbotham, Braid and Houston. A nice problem to have. One of VH, Higginbotham or Houston to start from the bench. Good to have a bit of quality depth here.

My young bloke (who does about a million fitness sessions a week) commented on Houston's belly bulge the other day. I fear Leroy's got a dose of the Blakes and is one of those easy-going islander kids who never quite grasps the necessities of professional rugby. After the late game fadeouts of the Reds the last few years there's no excuse for less than teak-hard fitness, which most of the squad seem to have. Maybe that's why Turinui's shoulder decided to play up.

 

[Ash]

Lindommer, at least Houston looks a little smaller than last year. Back then he looked like he was carrying a keg! Yeah, the Reds fitness have been one of the few areas that they've really improved this year over last year. Last year the Reds would fade badly and lose games after 60 minutes (Blues, Crusaders, etc). This year they've been playing to the full 80, which hopefully will see them win a few more than last year.

They still need to improve their set peices badly. Losing Moore has seen the Reds lineout become shakey, until it self exploded against the Tahs. The Reds have improved their ball security at the ruck a little, but it's still really poor. Improving something to the "poor" stage won't help unless they can continue improving.

My biggest concern for the Reds is the front row. Holmes is a walking injury and won't be able to prop at S14 standards unless he can play more, and the THs - Weeks and Edwards - look like they need a lot more conditioning and strength training to compete at this level, not to mention technical ability. Sadly, the Reds are still several levels above the Force in terms of front row.

 

[disco]

Would you rush Howrill back into the starting team considering he's been out for so long and it's a foot injury?

Well if he's fit & ready to play then he has to start, I have never believed in cotton wool anyway you can't stop injuries.

I remember when Chris Latham missed a spring tour after rolling his ankle chasing his daughter in the backyard, what can you do shit happens.

 

[Scotty]

I remember when Chris Latham missed a spring tour after rolling his ankle chasing his daughter in the backyard, what can you do shit happens.

He once cracked a rib while playing around with her. Maybe we should get her into the academy?

 

[Blue]

Would you rush Howrill back into the starting team considering he's been out for so long and it's a foot injury?

Well if he's fit & ready to play then he has to start, I have never believed in cotton wool anyway you can't stop injuries.

I remember when Chris Latham missed a spring tour after rolling his ankle chasing his daughter in the backyard, what can you do shit happens.

Sorry I couldnlt help but spot the irony of that statement consideringthe player in your avatar :lmao:

I was sitting on the 22 last Friday and he went down like a sack of shit. My mate and I actually saw his knee buckle as he tackled a Tah player. It looked terrible. Shit, has there ever been a more injury prone player in the history of rugby?

 

[Ash]

Sorry I couldnlt help but spot the irony of that statement consideringthe player in your avatar :lmao:

I was sitting on the 22 last Friday and he went down like a sack of shit. My mate and I actually saw his knee buckle as he tackled a Tah player. It looked terrible. Shit, has there ever been a more injury prone player in the history of rugby?

I will raise you one Daniel Heenan...

 

[Lindommer]

Both Queenslanders. Two in a very long line of injured Queensland sportsmen. Cordingley, Horwill, Turinui, Symonds, FU Watson, Latham, Flatley, Holmes, Blake. But Heenan and MMM really take the cake for injuries. 8) 8) 8)

 

[Scarfman]

I see Latho is a QLDer again, Lindo.

 

[fatprop]

I see Latho is a QLDer again, Lindo.

:lmao:

 

[Sully]

and Tirinui! :thumb

 

[Sully]

"yes it did Buckle but he played the rest of the game and is available for this week. A corner may have been turned.