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

[The torpedo]

GET HYPED LADS

Sharks by 7

Apologies to The Torpedo for hijacking his post.

This thread is for discussing this match only

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[Sully]

 

[Sully]

I'm going with the hype and picking a Reds win.

 

[emuarse]

Hmmm, 3 of the betting agencies have similar odds of around $1.63/$2.25 in favour of the Reds.
After the Red's woeful performance in recent years, that must see a lot of calculating by the bookies for the first game of the season.
So go the Reds by 9+ point margin.
The Sharks are heading our way today.

 

[TOCC]

Sharks have beaten Cheetahs 37-5 and the Bulls XV 53-7 in their 2 pre-season trial matches and have 10 test players in their touring squad for Australia.

 

[TOCC]

My prediction:

1. Slipper
2. Moore
3. Talakai
4. Simmons
5. Douglas
6. Tui
7. Smith
8. Higgers
9. Frisby
10. Cooper
11. Nabuli
12. Paia'aua
13. Kerevi
14. Kuridrani
15. Hunt

16. Ready
17. Fa'agase
18. Vanzati
19. Tui
20. Houston
21. Tuttle
22. Taefu/McIntyre/Lefau
23. Perese

Only question will be whether Smith starts or not, and who the reserve inside back is, I don't see much value in McIntyre coming off the bench and I'm not overly confident in either Lefau or Taefu.


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[emuarse]

My prediction:

1. Slipper
2. Moore
3. Talakai
4. Simmons
5. Douglas
6. Tui
7. Smith
8. Higgers
9. Frisby
10. Cooper
11. Nabuli
12. Paia'aua
13. Kerevi
14. Kuridrani
15. Hunt

16. Ready
17. Fa'agase
18. Vanzati
19. Tui
20. Houston
21. Tuttle
22. Taefu/McIntyre/Lefau
23. Perese

Only question will be whether Smith starts or not, and who the reserve inside back is, I don't see much value in McIntyre coming off the bench and I'm not overly confident in either Lefau or Taefu.


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Anyone know the background on Vanzati, I've not heard of him before?

 

[TOCC]

Souths prop, played for Brisbane City last year mostly off the bench.. still young and he is quite tall for a THP, and I'm not sold on his scrummaging ability, but Stiles seems to favour him. Other options are Kite and Sanday


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[Simon.]

Agree with that 15. Unless they decide to start Korczyk and bring Smith on from the bench.

Personally I think the Reds will thump them. Reds by 15.

 

[liquor box]

pretty pumped, just started re watching the grand final win to prepare for the season.

 

[liquor box]

What are the bonus point rules this season?

 

[Lindommer]

Same as last year.....

 

[emuarse]

What are the bonus point rules this season?

Love to see enthusiasm coated in a question.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Shit
How good is it that we are starting posing on the Reds match day thread.

I'd be starting Smith.

Play the game to our strengths and belt them in the forwards before unleashing Kerevi.

Hopefully a great crowd shows up for a Reds win (by 10). I'll be bringing 3 with me and we are all pretty excited about the Reds 2017 season.

This game, being the first is huge.

GO REDS

 

[The torpedo]

My pick for the team:

1. Slipper
2. Moore
3. Talakai
4. Douglas
5. Simmons
6. Tui
7. Smith
8. Higginbotham
9. Frisby
10. Cooper
11. Nabuli
12. Paia'aua
13. Kerevi
14. Kuridrani
15. Hunt
16. Ready
17. Fa'agase
18. Vanzati
19. Neville
20. Houston
21. Korczyk
22. Tuttle
23. Taefu/Perese

 

[Rugrat]

Thought the reds looked rusty (to be expected) in the trial v Rebels. Hoping for a winning start to season, but Sharks could be firing. My head says Sharks but Go the reds for a big season lads.

 

[Sully]

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/year-ahead-reds/

 

[Twoilms]

I hope the reds really click and put the Sharks away.

Smith won't start very much this year, he must be primarily an impact player.

Reds by 20.

 

[upthereds#!]

Good call on the 6-2 Split.

 

[upthereds#!]

Anyone know the background on Vanzati, I've not heard of him before?

Vanzati played LHP for Brisbane City. Basically has jumped ahead of Paraka. Faagase will play 18 (reserve THP), but will most likely come on before Vanzati at LHP anyway is Slipper needs a breather before talakai.