Reds v Sunwolves, Rnd 4 2020, Suncorp Stadium Feb 22 19:15

[Cancelled Account]

As the season progresses I think we’ll see:
9. Tate
10. JOC (James O'Connor)
11. Speight
12. Stewart
13. Paisami
14. Daugunu
15. Campbell

21. Malolua
22. Gordon (Lucas when Gordon at U20’s)
23. CFS

 

[Adam84]

What makes you think Gordon will he selected ahead of Hegarty and Lucas?

 

[Up the Guts]

I reckon Thorn will make Daugunu earn his place in the starting side. I’ve been impressed with CFS in defence, an area Daugunu struggled with early in his career. There’re obvious benefits of immediately bringing in the guy with the probably the quickest feet in Australian Rugby but the Reds haven’t really struggled in backline attack so no need to rush him.

 

[Cancelled Account]

Forwards:
1. Smith
2. Mafi
3. Tupou
4. Rodda
5. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
6. McReight
7. Wright
8. Wilson

Bench Rotation (in order)

BPA
Craig
Hoopert
Nasser
Hockings
ASY (Angus Scott-Young)
Seru
Blythe

 

[Cancelled Account]

What makes you think Gordon will he selected ahead of Hegarty and Lucas?

Thorn’s comments in the Press Conference.

 

[TSR]

I’m not sure Daugunu’s defence is as much of an issue any more. His problem a few years ago was that he got pushed off far too easily. His power to weight is much better now.

 

[Penguin]

I reckon Thorn will make Daugunu earn his place in the starting side. I’ve been impressed with CFS in defence, an area Daugunu struggled with early in his career. There’re obvious benefits of immediately bringing in the guy with the probably the quickest feet in Australian Rugby but the Reds haven’t really struggled in backline attack so no need to rush him.

As it should be. Daugunu gave others a head start. They have taken their opportunities & it's now their places to lose.

 

[HJ Nelson]

Great photos mate. Last night must have been a photographers wet dream! My fav was Henry's flick pass.

Thanks, Yes can't ask for much more than 10 tries scored at your end

 

[Up the Guts]

I’m not sure Daugunu’s defence is as much of an issue any more. His problem a few years ago was that he got pushed off far too easily. His power to weight is much better now.

I always thought he was a reasonable front on tackler but didn’t really know how to defend positionally on the wing. I definitely am a big fan and think he could be in gold when eligible (must be coming up soon) but make him earn his stripes coming back from a dopey suspension.

 

[TSR]

Thanks, Yes can't ask for much more than 10 tries scored at your end

On that sort of form, surely the Reds should be taking you as part of the match day squad and getting you a seat at both ends?

 

[Woldog]

How is it far more likely? CFS has been starting and playing well. Lucas has been meh off the bench. I personally don’t think Daugunu gets into the 23 until someone has a shocker, but could be wrong.

We'll wait and see but that's the way I can see it going. I would personally prefer Lucas dropped and that we keep Hegarty and bring Daugunu in on the bench.

 

[Ulrich]

Hardly any Japanese players, no depth and subsequently, shellackings. Next week they beat the Hurricanes, not literally, just on the scoreboard.

They sure have been unpredictable since their inception, the Sunwolves.

 

[Zero_Cool]

Yeah, I think we can't afford to not have CFS in the 23 somewhere, his versatility and the starch he'll bring to the backline is absolutely necessary.

I think we'll want to keep Hegarty about the squad and probably give him some burn leading into finals (assuming we are in contention) because although I don't think goal kicking should be a focus of ours yet, I'd don't think we win games on the back of our goal kicking, and regardless I'd rather see us lose games because of average kicking. But come finals if we want to try to make any kind of run we'll then need Hegarty's kicking.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Far more likely that CFS gets dropped for Daugunu and Lucas retains his spot.

CFS been good - deserves at least spot in the 23

 

[dru]

What do people think our back 3 will look like with all of our options avalable. Campbell, Daugunu, Feauai-Sautia, Speight, Lucas, and Hegarty. I think picking a team on the basis of goal kicking, for us isn't going to long term do us good, IF we have to rely on goals to win games I'd rather we lose those games; so in my opinion Hegarty is the odd man out (but I do love Hegarty, I think he's probably our most consistent backs). 

My back 3 would be something like Daugunu and Speight along with Lucas/Cambpell along with the other coming off the bench and CFS to bring in some starch from the bench.

Hegarty has been fantastic and has brought experience that was desperately required. That said at this stage he fills back up slots without being a preferred starter.

Lucas does not make the back three other than as part of a process that is building him for 10. And whatever that process requires should be a high priority (ditto a.n.other should Lucas not make it).

So our back three is from Speight (locked starter), Campbell (locked starter for me), CF-S and Daugunu (who gets no favours after his break while others are in form).

Longer term we are wanting 10: Lucas; 12: Stewart. But Lucas has to build and earn it. Right now I can envisage JOC (James O'Connor) at 10 for years. Don't see why age is a determinant.

BTW. I had not really gelled with Stewart at 12, I had a definite NO at 10 and felt he was building to the super-sub and suffer Hodge disease. Did not think Stewart was big enough at 12. And I was wrong. He is a perfect example of "it isn't the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog". Realy starting to appreciate the guy.

Filling the obvious, Paisami is now a lock at 13 and we look forward to a fit Petaia, but a high level back up is available to who wants it. Daugunu?

 

[Penguin]

I'm going to give Nic Berry a big thumbs up for his game last night. Plays a good advantage, communicates well with the players and gets out of the way & lets the game flow. I don't recall any contentious decisions. I think we'll be seeing him start to officiate in some important matches soon.

 

[Zero_Cool]

Yeah, I think Stewart has been really impressive at 12 and he's actually starting to look like what we hopped he would at 10, I'd not rule him out of another go at 10 if the opportunity presents itself, say if JOC (James O'Connor) get's head-knock or something and is out for the remainder of the game. I think he's worth a look, I wouldn't push him there, but he's looked good stepping into first recover. So I think he could still pan out as a flyhalf -- and he's got the toolkit to be a genuine World Class flyhalf, but he looks very good at 12 so don't fix what ain't broken.

I think the key to managing this much depth is to pick the bench for the game, keep picking your XV on form, and give guys the opportunity to work their way off the bench. I think we are more or less doing that, but someone like Hegarty I think will be vital for us if we make a finals run, and for next season. So we've just gotta keep him engaged get some club footy into him and bring him in for the games where we need him.

As for Berry, I think he's one of the best refs we have in Super Rugby, but he should never be put in the position where he has to ref a Reds game again. He use to play for them, I don't know how much more of a conflict is possible!

 

[Bobby Sands]

On two of the slickest backline moves Stewart was at 10 and JOC (James O'Connor) at 12. Stewart threw probably the slickest pass of the game which led to the Speight break and subsequently JOC (James O'Connor) try movement.

 

[gel]

:S

Talk of replacing CFS is a bit odd. He's been pretty damn solid and it's his position until he loses it, or someone does something spectacular in training or as a substitute to win it.

Any other kind of decision is just unscientific.

(and that's coming from someone who has been quite critical of him in the past)

 

[Pfitzy]

:S

Talk of replacing CFS is a bit odd. He's been pretty damn solid and it's his position until he loses it, or someone does something spectacular in training or as a substitute to win it.

Any other kind of decision is just unscientific.

(and that's coming from someone who has been quite critical of him in the past)

Yeah, you just humped someone by 60 points. Changing anything defies logic, yes?

Upcoming opponents will be different but what did CFS do wrong? Not much.