Reds vs Chiefs -Suncorp Stadium 13 May

[Lee Grant]

Yeah the Morahan tackle was harmless but what kind of bullshit is "oh we can't get a number so no yellow"? I'm pretty sure the big screen at the ground showed a replay of the tackle? Or how about just asking the TMO? Is this another one of those ridiculous protocols which is not allowed?

I thought the protocol was that the TMO could be used for the purpose of identifying players who committed foul play - the only occasion it could be used outside of try scoring or deciding whether or not a goal was kicked.

I'm sure it "was" at one point, but maybe they changed it.

It will be a pity if Morahan is suspended as he was in top form in that match.

I'd like to add my praise for the Reds' performance after a patchy 1st half performance. Their attack stuttered through some poor Oz style passing, especially from their flyhalf, but he was not the Lone Ranger. Despite the heroics after the siren for oranges, I thought they were becoming ragged on defence, both in reforming their lines to counter the blitz and in the execution of tackles. I reckoned that the Tribe would cut loose after the break.

Instead it was a Reds blitz, and engendered not through 2011 trademark width on the ball but through being narrow around the rucks against a hefty pack of forwards.

It was the Chiefs who wilted. Their use of width was depreciated by the injury to Kahui and its effect on SBW, but I doubt if the the final result would have been much different how well did the Reds play and how good was their manner of doing so.

Well done Reds.
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[Scotty]

I have on critcism for Gill, and don't get me wrong I think he is a freak, but he tends to avoid making dominant tackles and instead drags the player down to allow him a chance for a pilfer. Which is alright when it comes off, but he gains most of his turnovers in other ways, haven't really seen this tactic work too many times for him. It lead to a couple of missed tackles yesterday and it often allows the ball runner to gain an extra 5m's and further momentum to the attacking side.

I know this is just a small thing, but probably the only aspect of his game that needs improving.

He is a 19 year giving away 10-20kgs on just about every other forward. Not sure how much his body will hold up to trying to make dominant tackles. Happy if he completes affective tackles. Let other players make the dominant ones.

 

[What2040]

It was just like the Crusaders fixture at Suncorp last season. So many vocal Kiwi's, so many Kiwi's filing out with minutes still left in the game hahahaha

I love seeing the Reds play like it means something. Ant removing peoples legs in vicious tackles, Higgers getting stuck in, Kev getting fired up. But at the same time having the clarity and presence of mind to allow Will to make those sniping runs, Lucas to get his runners in order, and Harris just dinting their confidence with that field goal.

I think Ben Lucas needs to tape his head up every week! He saw that try line and got low and went for it.

Never have minded the good natured "banter" that goes with Rugby - Often very funny stuff comes out. I supposed I get the shits with ANYONE'S supporters boo at an opposition kick. Just think it is bad form ! Having said that I understand that you pay the bucks to attend you can probably say anything you want.

 

[Dan54]

Thought the booing when Reds were kicking was quite disgraceful - obviously the real kiwis who love their country are still living in New Zealand and i love them for living there

Wasn't at game on weekend was away and watched it on tv with no sound, but wonder who you blamed for booing at Stormers game that I was at a couple of weeks back. Obviously you didn't find that disgraceful as there I noticed no comments in here about it.

 

[trophyhunter]

Never have minded the good natured "banter" that goes with Rugby - Often very funny stuff comes out. I supposed I get the shits with ANYONE'S supporters boo at an opposition kick. Just think it is bad form ! Having said that I understand that you pay the bucks to attend you can probably say anything you want.

I don't mind if they cheer and carry on, you are at the footy, not the library. But if they direct any ribbing directly at me, they get it back with interest when their team is losing and they leave when the game is still being played!

 

[Lee Grant]

Up until now I thought Hooper was clearly ahead of Gill as the back up to Pocock on this years form. After the last two weeks I don't think it is so clear cut.

3 years ago when both lads were still at school there was an old codger (cough, cough) on this forum who foretold this contest to back up Pocock in a few years' time, and this was when George Smith was the Wallabies' incumbent.

The proviso was that both would become big enough men, especially the smaller Gill. At the minute Gill is taking the pounding well, though I fear for him as I never feared for Pocock, a freak of nature even as a teenager.

Fingers crossed.

PS - That old codger got a lot of things wrong though.
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[Ignoto]

I'd go out on a limb and say the reason why people are booing is not because they're trying to be disrespectful, more they want to do whatever they can to help put off the kicker.

The chiefs have cowbells, other teams have other instruments that fans play (basketball have those blow up sticks you hit like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=wkqowzcoonI#t=181s)

Booing would go away if the crowd had something they could supplement for it, but this is Suncorp, the place they sell mid-strength beer at $8 each, $.50 for a tray and eject you for being too supportive.

 

[Dan54]

I'd go out on a limb and say the reason why people are booing is not because they're trying to be disrespectful, more they want to do whatever they can to help put off the kicker.

The chiefs have cowbells, other teams have other instruments that fans play (basketball have those blow up sticks you hit like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=wkqowzcoonI#t=181s)

Booing would go away if the crowd had something they could supplement for it, but this is Suncorp, the place they sell mid-strength beer at $8 each, $.50 for a tray and eject you for being too supportive.

Booing seems to be something that attracts crowds, I remember a few years back when QRU used the Boo a blue to attract crowds, and was at Suncorp when Wendell played for Tahs, I think every person bought a ticket just so they could boo him

 

[emuarse]

Isn't it funny how refereeing decisions even themselve out, last week we were thinking we had been robbed and this week we get a very lucky decision, if the touchie was doing his job we would have only had 14 on the field.

I really like the way the Reds seem to be a team again, they are hunting as a pack, and seem to be happy again on the field. I honestly think a lot of this is due to the Faingaas return, they both cut down people at the knees which allows our fetchers to do their job and I think they have always looked like leaders who the other guys want to team up with. Anthony obviously has awesome tackling skills but his organization (and high pitched screaming) seems to get the best out of the others.

Looking forward there are some hard decisions to be made about who plays 12. I think Lucas has impressed enough to move out to 12 when QC (Quade Cooper) comes back but this means dropping Harris and his kicking seems to be back on track. I dont think after Morahans performance you could drop him to put Lucas or Harris at 15, and we have to fit in Taps at some stage too.

What will be our best backline when all players are fit?

For my money I see a fully fit back line as:
9. Ginea
10 Cooper
11 Ioane
12 Fangaa A
13 Tapuai
14 Shipperley
15 Morahan

Bench
21 Lucas
22 Harris

But I'm sure there will be some ongoing injuries, as always

 

[Bowside]

I'd swap the centre's around.

That backline looks dangerous.

 

[emuarse]

I suspect he won't come back until after the bye.

I'd like to think Cooper has a club game under his belt before the big stage return, & then for the last 10-15 minutes against the Brumbies, but the bye will interrupt after that, so more club games for Quade.
In my opinion, Links would probably prefer this than QC (Quade Cooper) playing international & risking injury/confidence

 

[tranquility]

For my money I see a fully fit back line as:

12 Fangaa A
13 Tapuai

Maaaate, what is this?

Other than that looks good, although Lucas seems like too good of a footballer not to be in the XV.

 

[Joe Mac]

For my money I see a fully fit back line as:
9. Ginea
10 Cooper
11 Ioane
12 Fangaa A
13 Tapuai
14 Shipperley
15 Morahan

Bench
21 Lucas
22 Harris

But I'm sure there will be some ongoing injuries, as always

Harris would not be on my bench. His kicking was the difference between winning and losing on the weekend.

 

[emuarse]

Fangaa at 12 for a number of reasons:
a) he is a better defender than Taps
b) he needs to get used to that position to team up with QC (Quade Cooper) on his return
c) Taps is better at 13, he has extra speed for his wingers

and yes Lucas suffers the role of utility player.... good in a number of positions, so ideal off the bench.

 

[tigerland12]

You can just switch Fainga'a and Taps in defence, it's not that difficult.

When Quade comes back it had to be Lucas or Harris at 15, not Morahan. One game doesn't make him a genuine starter.

 

[emuarse]

Harris would not be on my bench. His kicking was the difference between winning and losing on the weekend.

JM, I do hear you, but the back line I put up does have QC (Quade Cooper) as 10, and that effects the balance of the back line.
I personally think Harris when in form is the best converter, but QC (Quade Cooper) is no slouch either. Harris does lack some pace at 12, & that's why I omitted him in the XV.
You need a very good defender at 12, and Fingaa has certainly made a difference to the backs since his return (even though at 13).
Also I find it hard to leave Tapuai out. In fact I see him as a Wallaby contender, at least for the 22. He's better than Horne.

 

[Joe Mac]

JM, I do hear you, but the back line I put up does have QC (Quade Cooper) as 10, and that effects the balance of the back line.
I personally think Harris when in form is the best converter, but QC (Quade Cooper) is no slouch either. Harris does lack some pace at 12, & that's why I omitted him in the XV.
You need a very good defender at 12, and Fingaa has certainly made a difference to the backs since his return (even though at 13).
Also I find it hard to leave Tapuai out. In fact I see him as a Wallaby contender, at least for the 22. He's better than Horne.

Point taken but, Harris will win more games with his kicking than any other player (bar maybe QC (Quade Cooper)) will win with attacking flair. Its only once every 10/20 years you get a kicker of the calibre of Jonny Wilks, Morne or Dan Carter! Either you start him, or you sell him to keep Higginbotham...

 

[No4918]

I'd find it hard to put Harris in a XV as well. As easily as you say he won us the game on the weekend, which on its own is a overstatement, you could say the 2 kicks he missed lost us the Crusaders game. Really don't like putting that on kickers as it only tells half the story, usually less. Unless that person is Gits.

 

[tranquility]

Tapuai should never play 13 in my opinion unless it is absolutely unavoidable, as it was earlier in the season.. His older brother Rex is actually a better 13 than he is.. It's hard to debate that Ant is a better 12 than he is a 13 because it has been so long since he has played there (despite the fact he has played the predominance of his footy at 12). I am very happy with either Harris or Ben at 12 and think we need to hold onto both of them from a squad perspective.

 

[Scotty]

Wasn't at game on weekend was away and watched it on tv with no sound, but wonder who you blamed for booing at Stormers game that I was at a couple of weeks back. Obviously you didn't find that disgraceful as there I noticed no comments in here about it.

The booing was pretty loud yesterday, and done by a lot that didn't seem to be chief supporters (the chiefs colours weren't seen in a high percentage of the non-reds fans).