Reds vs Chiefs -Suncorp Stadium 13 May

[Joe Mac]

Have been disappointed with the development of Davies as a footie player, which is a pity because top speed is a precious attribute in our sport.

IIRR his contract is yet to be renewed. I don't know the balance of the 2013 squad as it stands at the minute, but there must be a case that he will be discarded.

Let's hope he starts playing well to put that thought aside.
.

I couldn't agree more. Lachie Turner is another example of a one-dimensional player who relies too much on pace... It works at the Super level but pace isn't enough when you move to the national level.

 

[Braveheart81]

I don't think Lachie Turner has developed badly or is a one dimensional player at all.

I just don't think he's as good as other wingers like Ioane, Mitchell or AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

 

[Joe Mac]

I don't think Lachie Turner has developed badly or is a one dimensional player at all.

I just don't think he's as good as other wingers like Ioane, Mitchell or AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

Maybe one dimensional is a little harsh, but I struggle to think of other skills that he brings to the game apart from speed. He certainly doesn't have a stand-out side-step, fend, kicking game or passing game which to me likens him to Rod Davies.

 

[dave]

Maybe one dimensional is a little harsh, but I struggle to think of other skills that he brings to the game apart from speed. He certainly doesn't have a stand-out side-step, fend, kicking game or passing game which to me likens him to Rod Davies.

Turner can definitely kick. His defence is pretty good too - definitely better than Davies'. He also has a good rugby brain on him as well which enables him to make the right decisions at the right time. Something that has let Davies down on too many occasions. But Turner doesn't have the 'X' factor that Ioane, Mitchell, and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) have. I think people were mistaking the exciting prospect that was Rod Davies for him having that 'X' factor. Not his fault so much as it was our own (mine included) high, possibly unfair, expectations. That and a few instances where his top flight speed resulted in something. He definitely hasn't blossomed into the player that everybody wanted him to be. He's still pretty young though, early days.

 

[TheBigDog]

The Reds need to try and expose the Chiefs out wide early. Harris and A.Finga have been running really nice and straight since they've come back, especially Anthony who is getting over the advantage line and giving the Reds quick forward momentum ball. Lucas has the ball on a string with his cross field 'bombs' to the wingers/Higgers and I think the Reds will look to that option again on Sunday as the Chiefs can really clog things up in the middle of the park with the likes of SBW and Kahui and their big forward pack.

The Reds have been playing well getting the foward roll on happening and playing a bit tighter but i'm hoping they use a bit more width this weekend.

Reds also with a slight advantage in set piece IMO. Higgers and Simmons have been great in the air and having Shatz in the team adds another long jumper. Scrum has seemed solid, not outstanding but not getting bullied either all year. As long as both sides hold their weight equally (no hands on ground!!!) then it should be a pretty even contest, hopefully.

 

[Tangawizi]

Chiefs named. Reds 13+ this weekend.

After resting a number of players last week in a scratchy 34-21 win over the Lions, the Chiefs have named something resembling a full-strength side to tackle the Reds in Brisbane on Sunday.
Tawera-Kerr Barlow is unavailable due to minor illness but Brodie Retallick, Liam Messam, Sona Taumalolo, Mahonri Schwalger and Alex Bradley come back into the starting lineup, with Kane Thompson, Sam Cane, Hika Elliot, Toby Smith and Robbie Robinson on the bench.
The table-topping Chiefs are searching for a 10th consecutive win before a bye next week.
"We know the Reds are starting to hit form with their top players coming back at the right time," Chiefs assistant coach Wayne Smith said. "They have targeted this game on their home track as a must-win match for them, so we are expecting an intense fixture in front of a large Sunday afternoon crowd."
Chiefs team to play the Reds at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on Sunday (6.10pm NZT): Andrew Horrell, Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Sonny Bill Williams, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Brendon Leonard, Alex Bradley, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke (c), Ben Tameifuna, Mahonri Schwalger, Sona Taumalolo.

Reserves: Hika Elliot, Toby Smith, Kane Thompson, Sam Cane, Augustine Pulu, Jackson Willison, Robbie Robinson.

 

[Ghibli]

Woud not underestimate the Chiefs.
Won nine on the trot after all.

 

[Nusadan]

Woud not underestimate the Chiefs.
Won nine on the trot after all.

They can't keep on winning...

 

[bloodred]

Woud not underestimate the Chiefs.
Won nine on the trot after all.

Imagine if they got out of a trot........

Reds by plenty!!!!!

 

[gel]

Reds by 10 until laps posts...

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/co...uper Rugby-rd11-2012.10699/page-4#post-354244

Then I will up it to 20 plus just for the flip out bonus

 

[Braveheart81]

Arizona Taumalolo
Mahonri Schwalger
Ben Tameifuna
Craig Clarke (c)
Brodie Retallick
Liam Messam
Tanerau Latimer
Alex Bradley
Brendon Leonard
Aaron Cruden
Asaeli Tikoirotuma
Sonny Bill Williams
Richard Kahui
Lelia Masaga
Andrew Horrell
Hika Elliot
Toby Smith
Kane Thompson
Sam Cane
Augustine Pulu
Jackson Willison
Robbie Robinson

 

[tigerland12]

Having Messam back is a massive boost. Player is a ball running machine.

 

[antimony]

Beautiful day for rugby here the Queen's land. Get your Mums and Wives to the game!

Reds to win this through the defensive commitment in the mid field and re-discovered self belief. Finals football may have been forced on them earlier than they'd like but they know how to handle it.

GO THE REDS!

 

[redstragic]

Beautiful day for rugby here the Queen's land. Get your Mums and Wives to the game!

Reds to win this through the defensive commitment in the mid field and re-discovered self belief. Finals football may have been forced on them earlier than they'd like but they know how to handle it.

GO THE REDS!

Great post, best weather this week in the last 2 years. Let's get to the game and scream our boys home.

Go Reds!

 

[MungoMan]

I don't think Lachie Turner has developed badly or is a one dimensional player at all.

I just don't think he's as good as other wingers like Ioane, Mitchell or AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

I agree. Despite being a Reds and not 'tahs supporter, have to say that Turner is easily a superior player to Davies.

What stops Turner from being a good to v. good international winger is his inability to beat a man consistently. He doesn't seem to have the tools; be it fend, body-swerve, big step, tackler-busting ability or effective change of pace.

Otherwise, he's quite professional in his general play.

 

[fatprop]

I agree. Despite being a Reds and not 'tahs supporter, have to say that Turner is easily a superior player to Davies.

What stops Turner from being a good to v. good international winger is his inability to beat a man consistently. He doesn't seem to have the tools; be it fend, body-swerve, big step, tackler-busting ability or effective change of pace.

Otherwise, he's quite professional in his general play.

yeah turner struggles to beat that defender one on one, but so does/did Habana & Howlett, Turner's benefit is his work off the ball chasing and getting back to support and immense defence, as well as great pace to finish off opportunities.

Davies needs to model himself on these styles of units, chase harder, tackle stronger and learn to run better support lines

 

[Tangawizi]

Been a bit of money coming for the Reds in the punting. Equal favourites now which is probably a fair estimate of where things really sit.

Reds tight 5 will be key today. Lots has been said about the defensive effort that will be required from the Reds backs to shut down Cruden, SBW, Kahui & Masaga but the tight 5 have also got plenty of work to do. They have to shut down the Chiefs main attacking weapon - Arizona Taumalolo.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/reds-must-stop-chiefs-tryscoring-prop-20120511-1ygk8.html

Reds must stop Chiefs try-scoring prop

Fit-again Reds prop Ben Daley can only marvel at opposite number Sona Taumalolo's Super Rugby try-scoring feats which should have him kicked out of the front-rowers' union.

While hard-working Daley makes a welcome return from a hamstring injury for Sunday's clash at Suncorp Stadium, Taumalolo is also back in the Chiefs pack and eying his eighth try of the season for the competition front-runners.

The 30-year-old Tongan international is the second leading try-scorer in 2012 - on a list that otherwise features speedy outside backs - with a remarkable 70 per cent hit-rate.

"I'm a little bit jealous actually," Daley said on Friday. "You always like to get across the line but I've only been across the tryline once in my (44-game) career.

"Seven tries is a great effort and that shows what they're about with their pick-and-drive game close to the line."

Although the Chiefs boast a lethal backline containing Aaron Cruden, Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui and Lelia Masaga, it is Taumalolo's deadly ability to burrow over which rival teams find hardest to stop.

Daley stressed it was crucial the Reds had speed off the defensive line to prevent the Chiefs getting in Taumalolo's red-zone in what is a must-win encounter for the defending champions.

"They're all big guys and they all feed off each other with their roll-on so we need to make sure we're moving quickly off the line," he said.

While Queensland have made just one change to their starting 15 which fell 15-11 to the Crusaders, the Chiefs have made five changes after having the luxury of rotating players and resting key forwards Liam Messam and Brodie Retallick for their ninth straight win last weekend against the Lions.

Daley replaces Greg Holmes at loose-head after some scrum turbulence in Christchurch while flanker Beau Robinson has made a speedy return from an ankle injury to displace out-of-form Wallabies cult hero Radike Samo on the bench.

For only the second time this season Queensland will field the same starting backline in a major boost to their hopes of an upset in front of a 40,000-strong crowd.

Queensland: Luke Morahan, Dom Shipperley, Anthony Fainga'a, Mike Harris, Digby Ioane, Ben Lucas, Will Genia; Scott Higginbotham, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz, James Horwill (capt), Rob Simmons, James Slipper, James Hanson, Ben Daley. Reserves: Saia Fainga'a, Greg Holmes, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Beau Robinson, Eddie Quirk, Nick Frisby, Rod Davies.

Chiefs: Andrew Horrell, Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Sonny Bill Williams, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Brendon Leonard; Alex Bradley, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke (capt), Ben Tameifuna, Mahonri Schwalger, Arizona Taumalolo. Res: Hika Elliot, Toby Smith, Kane Thompson, Sam Cane, Augustine Pulu, Jackson Willison, Robbie Robinson.

© 2012 AAP

 

[biggsy]

Well im off to SonnyCorp, sorry Suncorp....

 

[Ruggo]

I need some help to solve a small problem. Being that it's mothers day on Sunday how do I convince my wife that to celebrate her bringing my 2 wonderful kids into the world she should let me sit down and watch the Reds play the Chiefs?

Tickets to the rugby so she can have a good cheer for Dom "ladies man" Shipperly.

 

[Karl]

So. What's happening?