Reds vs Blues at Ballymore

[spectator]

I wouldn't have thought Horne will play in the 2s. He is on the bench for the Tahs this week and if all goes to plan he will be in the 22 somewhere again next week.

Nadolo is rubbish, Benny Lucas and Taps will just put it in behind him and showed how poorly he moves laterally. Take into account that we will have a better balanced backrow (Quirk played 7 tonight) and more experienced front row (Slipper in for Anae), and I don't think the pack will have a problem.

Mckibben can play but out halfback isn't half bad himself. It was only his form off the training track that made him lose his Brumbies contract.

Add Tomiki and Brando to the mix with the players that played tonight, maybe Ezra as well and it's a pretty handy looking side.

There you go, I didn't realise Horne was in the Tah's game day 22.

Won't Ezra be a chance for the bench on Saturday night, given Horwill's injury? Might even see Hansen if Hardman is fit to play.

 

[Scotty]

Good to see Leroy coming back strong. He has a lot of talent, and just needs the application to match it. Could make a real impact off the bench for the reds, as he is our strongest runner and best offloader (if that is a word).

 

[Geronimo]

Just back from watching the Reds 2nd XV belt the Argie team Casi. Not sure the final score but it was in the range of 90 odd - 10.

Leroy had a great game, linked really well between backs and forwards. Scored a try and set up a couple. Interestingly did a fair bit of jumping in the lineout as well. Came off at half time.

Tasi didn't play well, looks like he is trying to do too much.

Chambers did OK. Nice off-loads and is starting to get the whole primary support thing by getting to breakdowns etc.

Morahan scored a couple of tries but didn't really stand out, similar to Toua who made some great breaks but against mediocre opposition.

Connor got stuck in and probably had a better game as he was prepared to do a bit more hard yakka.

Eddie Quirk played well and looks all the better for his time in the sevens, Snoz O'Connor was there casting his eye over some of the troops as well.

Ben Lucas looked a fair bit off the pace, first game for a while I guess.

Second half the bench was cleared and Taylor played 20 minutes at lock. Once again a fair bit of lineout ball went to him.

Jono Lance was good at no 12. Really strong in contact and always made ground. Might be a longer term inside centre rather than a fly half?

Of those who played in the second half the one who was the most impressive was Liam Gill at no.7. I'd heard a fair bit about him but never seen him play. Plays really hard on the ball and is very agressive in his defence and most else and is very athletic. A real goer and one the Reds must hang on to. Was rewarded for his efforts with a try on the final siren.

I arrived late and missed the first game. From what I was told it was a dreary one-sided affair.
Agree with you on Leroy, he is nearly unrecognizable. He will be of real value to the Reds this year if he can maintain focus. I think you have been harsh on Chambers and Lucas. Chambers did all that was asked of him and Lucas was very strong. His passing was a highlight and he moved the team around the park well. I agree Quirk is the goods. Tasi and Ezra had better watch out because with Gill also looming there will be a logjam in the loosies department. Interestingly I thought Tessman played very strongly but his throwing to the lineout was a bit suss. Did anyone stand out in the early game?

 

[Spook]

Is Leroy fit or fat?

edit: Just read he is down to 112 kgs. Was 122+ in 08 from memory.

 

[RugbyReg]

Team named:

The QR Reds team is:

1 Ben Daley (Gold Coast)
2 Saia Fainga'a (Souths)
3 Laurie Weeks (University)
4 Adam Byrnes (University)
5 Van Humphries (Souths)
6 Jake Schatz (Sunnybank)
7 Daniel Braid (vc) (Sunshine Coast)
8 Scott Higginbotham (Wests)
9 Will Genia (c) (Norths)
10 Quade Cooper (Souths)
11 Rod Davies (GPS)
12 Anthony Fainga'a (Souths)
13 Morgan Turinui (Sunshine Coast)
14 Digby Ioane (Sunnybank)
15 Peter Hynes (GPS)

16 Sean Hardman (Brothers)
17 Greg Holmes (Sunnybank)
18 Rob Simmons (Sunnybank)
19 Leroy Houston (Norths)
20 Richard Kingi (Sunnybank)
21 Tim Walsh (club TBC)
22 Will Chambers (club TBC)

 

[RugbyReg]

and the Blues:

15. Paul Williams, 14. Joe Rokocoko, 13. Rene Ranger, 12. Benson Stanley, 11. Rudi Wulf, 10. Stephen Brett, 9. Alby Mathewson, 8. Peter Saili, 7. Serge Lilo, 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Anthony Boric, 4. Kurtis Haiu, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 2. Keven Mealamu (c), 1. John Afoa.

16. Tom McCartney, 17. Tony Woodcock, 18. Filo Paulo, 19. Viliami Ma’afu, 20. Chris Smylie, 21. Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22. Lachie Munro.

 

[Aussie D]

huge weekend for the Reds this. When was the last time they won two in a row? Need to learn how to back up after a win it is what separates the men from the boys in the S14.

 

[RugbyReg]

2006.

 

[disco]

Noddy,
Was VH written in bold because he's playing or because he plays for Souths?

Rene Ranger at 13 for the Blues is interesting, I thought he was purely a winger.

Should be a good game, it's fair to say that we have the form but both sides are very unpredictable.

 

[RugbyReg]

mate, just bolded him because he was the change from last week. Coming back into the starting side.

 

[disco]

I was referering to your earlier comment also

is there a Souths anymore?

 

[spectator]

I was referering to your earlier comment also

is there a Souths anymore?

IMO, the frontrunners for the 2010 premiership. As for the tongue in cheek Noddy.....GPS to finish 7th.

 

[RugbyReg]

GPS will be lucky to finish 7th. Although we should see plenty of Lei Tomeki!

 

[spectator]

GPS will be lucky to finish 7th. Although we should see plenty of Lei Tomeki!

And a new look Rod Davies! You guys will go alright.

 

[Scotty]

My company got a 'corporate' tent at GPS for one of the games last year, took a few clients along for a relaxing day with a few drinks and some food. Was great, we will be doing it again this year. (Also happened to be the day they beat Brothers and Hynes was playing.)

Not sure which game we will go to yet.

 

[aussie1st]

Nice solid lineup for the Reds, no reason why they can't make it two in a row.

 

[RugbyReg]

good article in the paper today by Mike Coleman explaining that once all Member tickets, corporate, SANZAR and life member tickets have been allocated for tonight, there are only about 8000 tickets to be sold.

So there may not be a lot of money made by the QRU tomorrow, although I guess there will be money saved.

Although, it could have been a revenue positive night if they managed to get 30,000 (or close to it) at Suncorp.

 

[Scotty]

Members and corporate tickets must still be counted towards the revenue for the game though?

 

[RugbyReg]

yeah, but they are whole of season revenue. They would have been there if they played at Ballymore or Suncorp.

 

[Scotty]

You seemed to imply they might not make money because we are comparing the one off tickets sold for this game to the cost of the game. Just pointing out that it probably isn't the right way to look at it - need to divide the season long revenue by the number of games and add the one offs for this weekend to find the real profit.

Of course you could argue that there would be less corporate and possibly season members if all games were played at Ballymore.