Round 1 - Reds vs Sharks, Suncorp Stadium, Friday 24th February @ 8:00pm AEDT (7:00pm AEST)

[The torpedo]

That YC for Hunt was in line with the new laws, the ref called it correctly..

That been said I don't agree with the new laws and thought the Sharks player should have also received one for their tackle on Kerevi.

Until WR (World Rugby) start penalising players for ducking their heads there is gonna be a shitload of cheese and some tomato slices for players

 

[Braveheart81]

I don't think it is fair to say that Mvovo ducked into the tackle as if he was trying to get hit high.

He did what any player would do and lowered his body height for contact particularly so he didn't get smashed into touch.

Whilst Hunt didn't have time to change his position in response, he can't assume the player is going to maintain an upright running style and not prepare for contact.

The new high tackle adjudications are pretty clear on that but I think you'd see that tackle yellow carded moderately often in seasons past.

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[The torpedo]

I don't think it is fair to say that Mvovo ducked into the tackle as if he was trying to get hit high.

He did what any player would do and lowered his body height for contact particularly so he didn't get smashed into touch.

Whilst Hunt didn't have time to change his position in response, he can't assume the player is going to maintain an upright running style and not prepare for contact.

The new high tackle adjudications are pretty clear on that but I think you'd see that tackle yellow carded moderately often in seasons past.

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What I meant was more general than specific - Mvovo looked like he was lowering his body height - all I was saying is that some players may start ducking their heads to milk penalties and gain a numbers advantage

The card was correct though

 

[Twoilms]

Quade needs to tone it down a bit. That backline has lots of threats and playmaking options wider out that he doesn't need to produce the miracle-balls to get things happening. Just controlling the game well and shifting play when he sees a numerical advantage or mismatch will be enough.
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This is not Quade's forte unfortunately. He's matured a lot but game management has always been a weak point for the guy.

 

[Hawko]

Frisby was poor tonight. Serial kicks out on the full. (Although one may have been because of the line out happening on the 22 and the lack of clarity from the ref about the ball supposedly being taken back)

Yeah, right. The ref insisted the lineout be taken outside the 22 and then yelled out clearly "taken back". "Lack of clarity" was actually "Frisby stupidity"

 

[TOCC]

I assumed it was just another shit kick, I don't think it was a question of whether he was in the 22 or not


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[Braveheart81]

This is not Quade's forte unfortunately. He's matured a lot but game management has always been a weak point for the guy.

But reading the game and identifying opportunities is something he is good at.

The guys outside him don't need to be handed it on a platter and put through gaps untouched, they can take advantage of opportunities themselves.

I'd argue that the back line outside Cooper now could be better than the one they won with in 2011. Kerevi is special and he has a great supporting cast.


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[Twoilms]

^^^^
Maybe, i'd be wary setting such high expectations though.

 

[Braveheart81]

^^^^
Maybe, i'd be wary setting such high expectations though.

I'm not setting any expectations in terms of the competition. Merely discussing the players.

I still wouldn't put money on them winning the Aussie conference.

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[Hawko]

I'm not setting any expectations in terms of the competition. Merely discussing the players.

I still wouldn't put money on them winning the Aussie conference.

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You follow a team with your heart but you bet with your head. On that basis you would put money on them winning the conference unless the odds were too short.

 

[CTPE]

Quade Cooper..... Pffff...

 

[HJ Nelson]

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[liquor box]

A lot of memberships came in this year but for the 3 game packs etc. expect to see better numbers then last year, but only at key games.

Hunt only deserves yellow if it's reckless accidental contact. The ref said it was a little reckless as he was using his arm quite hard. If the guy didn't duck, it would have been a text book tackle. Nothing reckless about it, just decisive.

Meaning..refs have to look more closely at what is considered accidental contact with the head, and accidental contact with the head through a reckless action.

If someone ducks, slips or sidesteps into what would by all measures be a textbook tackle, then that tackle shouldn't then be deemed reckless.

I guess if the tackles are aimed at the waist rather than chest there will be no accidents, it will also allow for more off loads.

Apart from safety this interpretation of the rules could actually lead to a more flowing game to watch.

 

[Sully]

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Great shots! Love the one of higgers and the one of Brad Thorn. The shots of the players with fans are spot on.

 

[gel]

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that the reds should continue to play just as flat and just as fast (or faster if possible). They should also.continue to overplay their hand the way they did in this match. I realise that there are valid reasons against this view and that many on here have already stated them in this thread.

My logic is that it appears that the reds have the fitness and more importantly the reserves to maintain the speed of that gameplan. It's also clear that the reds don't have the skills yet to adequately execute it. If they continue to play that gameplan, the skills will get there.

I don't believe that it will necessarily matter against the majority of the super rugby teams outside of new Zealand. the Sharks really did struggle to keep up in that match and were offside so often and out of control. The reds will probably not get in the finals this year with this game plan as the skills aren't up to it yet, but they will make a lot of teams struggle and probably slaughter one unlucky team if it all clicks one night.

Keep trying this style and next year will be a winning one.

 

[TSR]

Generally I have no problem with that Gel - although if you pass to a guy who is getting tackled as he receives it the he is always long odds to catch it. I don't think throwing that pass a half second earlier detracts from what they are trying to achieve.

Other than that I agree. If the Reds are any chance to challenge the Kiwi sides, I'd suggest it is more likely to be because they continue to back themselves, be aggressive and it all comes together then that they back off to give themselves more settling in time.

Looking forward, I want to see Australian rugby transition to high paced, high skilled rugby but that isn't going to happen overnight. We need the teams to be prepared to challenge themselves to play at that higher level without losing the intensity in contact (or, in fact, greatly improving their intensity in contact).

Looking forward to next week, when Tupou can be added to the mix in the last 20 against tired bodies.

 

[upthereds#!]

I guess if the tackles are aimed at the waist rather than chest there will be no accidents, it will also allow for more off loads.

Apart from safety this interpretation of the rules could actually lead to a more flowing game to watch.

can always be accidents in a contact sport, regardless of where you aim. I've been hit by knees, hips and arms in the head by both teammates and opposition running into a breakdown. I wouldn't expect them to get yellowed for reckless contact with the head.

I had a mate totally commit himself to a low height to secure a ball, whilst at the same time the opposition did the same same. His head hit the other guys shoulder. Does someone get yellowed there?

Hunt was harshly done by, even by the new letter of the law, which states it has to be a reckless action that leads to the accident. Try to tackle someone mid body isn't reckless.

 

[liquor box]

can always be accidents in a contact sport, regardless of where you aim. I've been hit by knees, hips and arms in the head by both teammates and opposition running into a breakdown. I wouldn't expect them to get yellowed for reckless contact with the head.

I had a mate totally commit himself to a low height to secure a ball, whilst at the same time the opposition did the same same. His head hit the other guys shoulder. Does someone get yellowed there?

Hunt was harshly done by, even by the new letter of the law, which states it has to be a reckless action that leads to the accident. Try to tackle someone mid body isn't reckless.

I agree he was wrongly done by, but if he had aimed a little lower there would be no issue.

The problem with the new rules are how do you tackle TPN or S Faainga? both lead with their heads and contact is inevitable

 

[Mr Doug]

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Some brilliant photos in that lot!! Well done.

 

[Mr Doug]

Were any of those yours, Sully?!!