Reds vs Highlanders
- Thread starter Dan54
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He replied to one of my social media posts.
He said "All good now. Very lucky"
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
Tate looked awful p***ed off at on bench and in interview after the game didn't he? As he says, Reds are making same mistakes each week. Not sure what the answer is, and as you say they seem to be missing the click to go with the likes of tate and McReight . I just wonder (only a thought in back of mind) is it because some teams get carried away with the brilliance of some of their players and seemingly forget that most rugby games are won by good teams and not brilliant individuals? Even on rugby heaven etc we hear the pundits talk of how good such and such a player is and don't tend to wax lyrical over how good team work is?
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
I presonally thought the Reds were very average overall Marce.
D
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Reds attack is predictable and easily defended. Not putting options to the defenders to create doubt.
As great a bloke and coach he is I think it is time for Jim to look for other opportunity.
As great a bloke and coach he is I think it is time for Jim to look for other opportunity.
Marce
John Hipwell (52)
Reds defense is not at Super Rugby level. Every time the Kiwis (Canes, Chiefs and Landers) picked up the ball and run to the ingoal they scored under the posts. Reds probably dominated for long time in all the 3 games but when Kiwis picked up the ball, they easily gained meters.
First Landers try was ridiculous. Umaga-Jensen beat 4 Reds players, no one of them could stop him
First Landers try was ridiculous. Umaga-Jensen beat 4 Reds players, no one of them could stop him
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Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Vunivalu sums up the reds this year lot of hype but failing to deliver
TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
My post is badly worded. My point was that the team that played had the opportunity to win.
But I agree with your point that depth is an issue. When we’re missing our two top hookers, and 3 of our top props, plus our first choice 10 & 13 and we lose our starting 8 during the game it’s an issue. If they play we do better. But how often are teams at full strength these.We have to be careful comparing injury lists.
We had our first choice back 5 in the forwards and 5 of our first choice starting backline. And, for the most part, I think those guys all did well except the wingers didn’t get anywhere near as much ball in space as I would have liked. I thought Asiata was generally good too (am I correct that we didn’t lose a lineout while he was on the field - first time that has happened for a long time). Flook is great - but for all the talk of Paisami’s decision making I though we really missed him last night.
But there is certainly an issue about how we get the rest of the team up to speed. Some guys like Faessler & Jeans I can cut some slack to given their newness to super rugby. I agree with Reg on Zander & Fotuaika - they both need to contribute much more than they do. Daugunu’s form is painful - it is sad to watch because, to me, he still seems to be trying hard but he is just struggling.
I’ll admit I’m undecided on Creighton - some of his mistakes were costly, but he wasn’t alone. I do think he shows some promise but our backline isn’t cohesive at the moment. How much of that rests on him and how much in others I honestly don’t know.
On a final note, I think people writing off Vunivalu will be disappointed when the Wallaby squad is announced. Pretty sure he’ll be in it. There’ll be complaints his form doesn’t warrant it, but I think a lot is due to what’s happening/not happening inside him.
Ignoto
Peter Sullivan (51)
I'm fine with persistenting with Vunivalu. I don't think he played badly, the way they used him was poor and so easily readable.
He would have been better used coming back on the inside on the second or third phase rather than first phase in two awaiting props.
That comes down to poor management in adapting the game plan as it unfolds. I.e not playing dumb rugby.
He would have been better used coming back on the inside on the second or third phase rather than first phase in two awaiting props.
That comes down to poor management in adapting the game plan as it unfolds. I.e not playing dumb rugby.
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
That is also on him though.
I have no doubt he is a supreme athlete and great with ball in hand. But to me, he hasn’t done enough now to stay on the field and also increase his involvements.
Still very much playing that league winger mindset, minimal efforts midfield and then plants himself out on the wing waiting for a kick or pass (and the Reds didn’t even try to kick to him?).
TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
I actually thought he wasn’t available out wide often enough. Seemed to be in mid-field most of the time and I do think he isn’t getting his timing right on when to chime in off multi-phase play.
When we was wide he either didn’t get enough ball or got the ball when double marked. From memory he got the ball 2-3 times 1 on 1 and either beat him or made post contact metres each time.
That’s on a single game viewing though.
When we was wide he either didn’t get enough ball or got the ball when double marked. From memory he got the ball 2-3 times 1 on 1 and either beat him or made post contact metres each time.
That’s on a single game viewing though.
Marce
John Hipwell (52)
No excuses. 2 yellow cards in the first half and Mitch Hunt was the MVP for Reds. He missed easy kicks and couldn't catch the ball in one of the tries. You have to take advantages of that unforced errors.
Reds have strong players but sometimes look lazy in defense
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
Not bad, Gel.
WFT was that. Reds looked like they'd roll it then just kept fucking it up and ended up drifting out of the game, Landers were like oh so you dont want to win fine then fuckyuz we'll do it
Vunivalu and Petaia were utterly pathetic. Considering their reps they were uninvolved, ineffective decorations. You know youve fucked up when the no-name Landers backs have completely outplayed you.
DCI Arnott = absolute sham of a player. Childlike efforts on defense and the most unnatural kicker of a rugby ball in rugby football history. A liability allround. Landers really may as well wheel the ghost of Marty Banks out there and be done with it.
WFT was Afterdavid doing with those box kicks from inside his own 22? Just laborious and brainless. Fakatava came on and completely took over the game.
BBBT should just go in the changing room and start beating the shit out of people. No way the Reds should have lost that match.
dru
David Wilson (68)
I'm happy with Creighton, at least with keeping him developing. I haven't been convinced that he's getting a lot of help, especially from Stewart?
Paisami is a big gap, but again I'm more than comfortable with Flook. Another to continue developing. Jeans is absolutely fine and needs to be given more opportunity.
Vunivalu is a conundrum. I don't think it is simply what is happening inside of him. I'm not saying that he isn't capable of flicking the switch with the right support and becoming something huge - BUT I am definitely not convinced that can happen either. Last night he was disappointing all on his own.
The team was flat, as a team. Some parts of the game this was really obvious. No idea what is behind that, the injuries do contribute to a drop in quality but should NOT contribute to a drop in attitude and energy.
Juan Cote
Syd Malcolm (24)
The Reds seem to play the same plodding style no matter the state of the game. The Clan were down to a league team however the Reds continued to bash away and kick the ball at every opportunity. There was no sense of trying to up the tempo, keep ball in hand, and expose the advantage.
Similarly at the end of the match when a bonus point was on offer, they continued pop-gun kicks that did nothing but give the ball away. No urgency in anything they did.
But by far the most troubling aspect of the game last night is why the fuck was Drew Mitchell holding a footy back in the studio at halftime and game’s end? This along with the lit up goal posts (in blue mind you, not red) were both perplexing
Similarly at the end of the match when a bonus point was on offer, they continued pop-gun kicks that did nothing but give the ball away. No urgency in anything they did.
But by far the most troubling aspect of the game last night is why the fuck was Drew Mitchell holding a footy back in the studio at halftime and game’s end? This along with the lit up goal posts (in blue mind you, not red) were both perplexing
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
I thought Stewart has been good - he makes his tackles and has been doing what he usually does.
Im not sure his relationship and symbiosis with Creighton is a major factor. Stewart has been a constant for the Reds for a number of seasons. He knows his role and I’m not sure you can expect the defensive minded, straight running centre to have too much influence over the gameplay of the young flyhalf.
At the end of the day this is the squad the Reds wanted for 2022. Many posters on here pointed out when JOC (James O'Connor) inevitably breaks down, the options were going to be a couple of blokes with no experience playing flyhalf professionally or an 18yr old kid who is apparently not even experienced enough to play 1st grade, despite being signed to a full time contract.
And now here we are…
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
And thats it. You can't just capitulate because your favourite tight head is off sick. Fucking hell the Wallabies were better back when we didn't even have a front fucking row.
Why is a stacked team like this performing so badly?
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
Has to be mental. Landers only had 1 real effective possession in the first hour but then the Reds just seemed to log off.
Mcreight is surely the heir apparent to Hooper though. Just a nonstop pest at the counter ruck. Looking at a 10 year wob tenure unless he falls to bits or fucks off to Japan like the rest of the sooks
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