Reds vs Bulls Rnd 5 2012.

[tranquility]

So we're now at the injury excuses? You let in tries you know, pack was outmuscled.

The most grating poster on the board by a long way. @Waratahbitterness

 

[Ruggo]

As Jets said, we have a week to work things out. Young players are going to get the opportunity to impress and that is positive.

I think I will take Samo at 8 to start. Those big hands and his combination with Genia will had a little more stability to what is going to be an unsettled 9-10 combination.

The odds of what happened last week were really slim so I wouldn't shy away from the 5:2 split again.

If Ed Quirk is on tour, please bring him into the 22.

 

[tigerland12]

As Jets said, we have a week to work things out. Young players are going to get the opportunity to impress and that is positive.

I think I will take Samo at 8 to start. Those big hands and his combination with Genia will had a little more stability to what is going to be an unsettled 9-10 combination.

The odds of what happened last week were really slim so I wouldn't shy away from the 5:2 split again.

If Ed Quirk is on tour, please bring him into the 22.

Yep agreed, but I'd have him in place of Samo, which kinda goes against what you said. Who would you drop for him? His mongrel and physicality would be perfect for this match.

 

[Jets]

He is on tour but who's place will he take. Robinson and Higgers are must starters, while Gill is an on baller who makes a good impact when he gets on. Shatz is a work horse and part of the reason I would start him is that he will do the hard yards early. Samo does have a great combo with Genia and also is a lineout option and strong ball runner.
I'm not saying Quirk wouldn't play an important roll if he is in the 22 but it will be interesting to see what the balance is if he plays. I he is going to play I would start him at 6 with Higgers at 8 and drop Samo off the bench (or use him as a back reserve).

 

[RedsHappy]

Just as fyi, tour squad is (was):

http://www.redsrugby.com.au/NewsEvents/NewsArticles/tabid/581/ArticleID/5684/Default.aspx

 

[biggsy]

Harris and Lucas are back in Brisbane, so it's going to be a big week. Really looking forward to the game to see how this team will come together. I drop into there trainings a fair bit and i have the confidence we can get a win with the forward playing there heart out. And the diciplan spot on. It took 30min for the reds to concede there 1st panelty on the weekend. And will will need to be repeated as the bulls love to boot goals and drop kicks. Nervous and can't wait, heading into enemy territory (NSW) this weekend for a wedding so will be in full swing to see another tah's loss and Reds biggest battle for a couple of years.

 

[redstragic]

Harris and Lucas are back in Brisbane, so it's going to be a big week. Really looking forward to the game to see how this team will come together. I drop into there trainings a fair bit and i have the confidence we can get a win with the forward playing there heart out. And the diciplan spot on. It took 30min for the reds to concede there 1st panelty on the weekend. And will will need to be repeated as the bulls love to boot goals and drop kicks. Nervous and can't wait, heading into enemy territory (NSW) this weekend for a wedding so will be in full swing to see another tah's loss and Reds biggest battle for a couple of years.

Agree, our backs are to the wall this weekend. It is going to be a brutal encounter.

 

[Ruggo]

Yep agreed, but I'd have him in place of Samo, which kinda goes against what you said. Who would you drop for him? His mongrel and physicality would be perfect for this match.

I don't know but If we need a pacey forward to fill some gaps in the back I would prefer Higgers to Samo for the back of the Scrum issue I allued too. Quirk into the 6 jersey maybe.

I am not sure how we will take them on anyways. I would like us to go up the middle like the Stormes game last year. We normally run them off their feet but their altidude experience and that they are a fitter side nullifies this in my view. I can see a shitload of pick and driving for us this week.

If we can fill our backs without pinching a forward, I would start the same pack and the same forwards on the bench.

 

[Scotty]

I suspect it will be more of the same from the first half vs the Sharks, but not too adventurous. We will rely on Genia to control the game, with his few steps from the ruck to keep the defense honest, and two forward runners on the move to choose from. Lots of high tempo forward play, both on the blind and open.

In defense we need to be more effective in slowing the ball down that we were at times vs the Sharks. I would definately start with Schatz or Quirk instead of Samo for this reason.

 

[qwerty51]

If you're to beat the Bulls in Pretoria there's one thing that must occur or else you're lose and that's dominant tackling. They build their whole game on forwards getting over the ad. line to evoke a penalty infringement from the ruck or offside of the retreating defence. Of course discipline as a whole needs to be excellent.

 

[Sandpit Fan]

If you're to beat the Bulls in Pretoria there's one thing that must occur or else you're lose and that's dominant tackling. They build their whole game on forwards getting over the ad. line to evoke a penalty infringement from the ruck or offside of the retreating defence. Of course discipline as a whole needs to be excellent.

Correct. We can't bank on Steyn having another off week with the boot. He's had the 1 per year which he allows himself already. Positive sign that we didn't give a penalty away until late in the first half, will need to repeat that performance.

 

[tigerland12]

What's the thoughts on "turnstile Morahan"? He has been very weak in defence this year, not sure what to make of him.

 

[Sully]

I think it's more than defense Tiger.
He seems to be worried about any contact. Have a look at anything he does near a ruck.

 

[RedsHappy]

What's the thoughts on "turnstile Morahan"? He has been very weak in defence this year, not sure what to make of him.

Agree tl12, he's been shocking, for no explicable reason. Link is either blind-spotted on him for some reason, or sees no alternative. With the Bulls' kicking game the likely scenario, a good 15 could be as important as a 10, and it may be wise to plant Dallan M at 15 given this (also not to kill his natural game with the relentless pressure he'd have as a young 10 on S15/Reds debut in the Bullring, etc., that is almost the definition of cruelty ).

 

[Jets]

I think the fact that Link dropped him to the bench and didn't use him at 15 were a sign that he sees an issue with him. He did have a good run on the weekend. It's a case at the moment that he will have to be used as there are no other options.

 

[Train Without a Station]

What about Taps at 10, Lance at 12 and and Morahan at 15.

 

[tranquility]

Taps is not JOC (James O'Connor), and is wasted @ 10 in my opinion.

 

[No4918]

Murphy will theoretically have spent the most time running with the team at 10 so lets give him a run. Plenty of young Kiwi 10's doing well, he might be fine.

Lance and Taps nearly have to be the centres as i'm pretty sure none others have played there at this level and not sure what others. Morahan maybe but as said he seems out of form and could be a liability in defence. Davies looked better than Morahan at 15 and offers more on counter so i'd be happy to stick with him.

 

[tranquility]

How is Simon Morahan going? He is supposedly the more talented of the two, he must be close to making the step-up?

 

[RedsHappy]

Davies' size, nervy tone atm, fragility under the offensive high ball that the Bulls will surely deploy in quantity, ok but not great boot, means he does concern me v Bulls at 15. He may be better replacing Diggers at wing, his natural slot and one likely to be vital if we play the way we did in 1H v Sharks.