Sharks v Reds Rnd 5 2014

[Ash]

Wouldn't mind seeing McDuling given a shot on the bench instead of O'Donoghue at some stage, maybe vs the Lions.

The only selection that surprises me is Saia over Hanson.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Yeah, good to see Hanson rewarded for his strong performance by being benched.

My biggest concern is that Graham is looking for the answers in the backs when the biggest questions are in the forwards.

 

[Scoey]

I am mostly happy with that team. Turner in for Ships is a good move. Not sure why Ant isn't on the bench though. If he didn't want to have Ant and Taps on there I would've gone with Ant, especially against Sth African opposition.

I have no idea why Chibba has been benched. Saia's first contribution on Friday night was 2 penalties that gifted the Cheetahs a march up the field and then 3 points when we were trying to close out a match. Fuck me that was just atrocious play and I'm still cranky about it. Added to that Chibba had a cracking game.

I also would've liked the backrow to have some change. Maybe McDuling in for Schatz or Quirk but I see why you wouldn't do that against the Sharks so hopefully he'll get a run against the Lions.

 

[EatSleepDrinkRuck]

Well, I've thrown away invested my hard earned dollar dollars - 20 on reds to win and 10 on Schatzy to score a try.

I have bet on 2 of his 4 career tries from 6 attempts - when the Reds win and Schatzy seals it with a bit of tong under the posts you can all thank me in this thread.

 

[No4918]

This is one tour Hanson should have started. Better running game at a time the forwards are lacking penetration would have been useful. Between the two though Saia is prob better at the lineout which may have influenced the decision. Just hope he doesn't knock himself out trying to take the Sharks forwards out at the ankles.

FTA unlucky as well, the rest of the backline is good. Hopefully the backrow improves, prob the right decision to stick with them for a while.

 

[tranquility]

I like the faith he is showing in the players, after all it would be Melbourne tactics to change a winning side. Our backrow is down on last year's output, but realistically they are probably our best unit - having not seen much of McDuling or Browning yet.

RG is clearly a big fan of Aidan, and I think that is a great thing. He is finally getting the chance to string a few games together, and sooner he is comfortable to try his hand, the better.

Lachy is a much needed commodity on the wing, and it's good to see Rod reward for having a good game.

Chibba should be starting and Anae on the bench, but otherwise I like it.

 

[Hawko]

I like the faith he is showing in the players, after all it would be Melbourne tactics to change a winning side. Our backrow is down on last year's output, but realistically they are probably our best unit - having not seen much of McDuling or Browning yet.

RG is clearly a big fan of Aidan, and I think that is a great thing. He is finally getting the chance to string a few games together, and sooner he is comfortable to try his hand, the better.

Lachy is a much needed commodity on the wing, and it's good to see Rod reward for having a good game.

Chibba should be starting and Anae on the bench, but otherwise I like it.

These two sentences are mutually exclusive. Hanson started last week and was absolutely excellent all round the park. Fainga'a came off the bench and made two ridiculous schoolboy errors resulting in penalties. The correct coaching action would have been for him to be dropped from the bench for Anae, with Hanson starting.

Beau should have started after his great game off the bench and Schatz and Quirk have lacked impact in the last two games. A Fainga'a has been way better than Tapuai this year and would have been a better bench player.

Welcome to Graham's world. Selecting is probably the most crucial job a coach has after leadership and this team is clearly not the best team the Reds could put on the park, especially when you look at the Sharks' skillset.

 

[tranquility]

These two sentences are mutually exclusive. Hanson started last week and was absolutely excellent all round the park. Fainga'a came off the bench and made two ridiculous schoolboy errors resulting in penalties. The correct coaching action would have been for him to be dropped from the bench for Anae, with Hanson starting.

Beau should have started after his great game off the bench and Schatz and Quirk have lacked impact in the last two games. A Fainga'a has been way better than Tapuai this year and would have been a better bench player.

Welcome to Graham's world. Selecting is probably the most crucial job a coach has after leadership and this team is clearly not the best team the Reds could put on the park, especially when you look at the Sharks' skillset.

Thanks for your input bud, but no thanks.

Chibba and Saia are both equally valuable members of the squad, it's really a non-issue who starts. Anae is so far below both of them as a hooker it's not even a consideration.

Beau is not a better starting player than any of our backrow, he can be inaccurate and is not really big enough or good enough at the lineout to be a starting 6. He is clearly not a better starting 7 to Liam.

A. Finger has had one of the worst starts of the year I can remember he is very short of a run. Tapuai has been played out of position.

I have no issue with the side at all, but thanks for the slander.

Cheers

 

[Braveheart81]

I think part of the point Hawko was making is that Graham hasn't really stuck with the same winning team. He's made a couple of changes most notably Hanson dropping to the bench.

He's also brought back Turner at the expense of Shipperley. As Davies was Turner's injury replacement, he's effectively dropped Shipperley for Davies.

Slipper coming back into the starting side is clearly a no brainer.

 

[Ash]

Shipperley hasn't performed better than average in his three starts, whereas Davies went well in his one start, and I assume he went well in the Pacific Rugby Cup. Makes sense that Shipperley was replaced.

Ant came back earlier than expected from a major operation, and he's been clearly short of a run in his chances. The guy needs games to get back to his level, but the Reds can't afford to carry him right now. He needs club football, in hindsight Ant should have been playing in the Pacific Rugby Cup.

There's no way Anae would replace Saia as a hooker, as has been mentioned.

Beau over Gill just won't happen. Beau is willing, gives beyond 100% and throws himself around, but is a limited player. I love Beau, but Gill is a far better all round player. Beau is fine coming off the bench and is doing a good job. Did Beau really give any more impact than Schatz or Quirk?

All of the selections make sense externally except Saia for Hanson.

 

[Ash]

Selections I would like to see later in the season:
- Anae reserve prop on the bench, replacing Owen
- McDuling reserve lock/6 on the bench, probably replacing O'Donoghue
- Browning reserve 6/8 on the bench
- Kerevi or Kuridrani on the bench, if there's a few back injuries

 

[redveincheese]

I like the look of the team. Agree with the sentiments about Hanson especially going up against that Sharks front row. I think the sharks will target our scrum and I don't think it will work. This may unsettle them and allow us some chances for penalties or quick taps.
Defense needs to improve. I know we have a great tackle success rate but our positioning and kick chase needs a lot of thought.
Quirky and Jake need to step up their efforts. Quirky needs to direct his head-butts towards the opposing players.

 

[redveincheese]

If we can reduce the game to a battle of attrition with a huge defensive effort and stop the sharks scoring to many tries, we may be able to sneak a win. I think Rod may be able to sneak in 1 or 2.

 

[Train Without a Station]

I'm intrigued to know the difference in Beau and Gill and why Gill is actually so superior.

I'm a fan of Gill and he is a great player, but I just do not understand all the gushing. They both have their positives. Gill is quicker to the breakdown, therefore is able to get more pilfers that way. Beau is more physical and stronger. Gill's linking is a little better, Beau is a little more dominant in contact.

To say he is willing but limited, you must not have seen him play injury free (or forgotten how well he did it, at least, in 2011).

Also, whoever said it doesn't matter who starts between Saia and Hanson deleted - unnecessary personal comment missed Hawko's point completely. Based on Friday, it certainly does matter when you see the difference in their play.

 

[Ruggo]

I said it didn't matter who starts between Saia and Hanson.

Who are you to call me a fucking idiot? Pull your head in.

 

[cyclopath]

I said it didn't matter who starts between Saia and Hanson.

Who are you to call me a fucking idiot? Pull your head in.

Indeed, and it was not only you.
@Train Without a Station - make your point without that stuff.

 

[tranquility]

I think it was directed at me. While you can get all wound up about who plays hooker, the reality is we have two good hookers so I think it is largely inconsequential. Two different skill-sets.

I'm intrigued to know the difference in Beau and Gill and why Gill is actually so superior.

I can see you rate Beau, and so should everyone. But in my opinion at-least the difference in class is enormous. Gill is not only faster to the breakdown as you say, but he is far more accurate at both slowing the ball down and winning turnovers. He is a link-man, which Beau is not, and has a far better pick and drive. Beau is all energy and it's really great when he comes on because he clearly lifts the tempo and physicality, but the accuracy when you factor in clean-outs as well is just not there.

 

[kiap]

Shorks lock Pieter-Steph du Toit is a late withdrawal, out with a knee injury.

Stephan Lewies to start.

 

[Ash]

Gill has an all-round skill set Beau doesn't have, particularly linking, is more of a technician at ruck time, plus he can jump in the lineout, just to name a few. Gill is also faster.

Beau has a much tougher edge Gill doesn't have, which is pretty much the only thing Beau has over Gill skill wise.

Don't get me wrong, I love Beau. Glad to have him in the team and don't worry when he starts. If everyone was as committed as Beau it would be dangerous. But, he's just not as well a rounded player as Gill.

 

[tranquility]

First choice center Paul Jordaan is also out through injury, and Ndungane is out for personal reasons relating to the death of his father.

JP comes straight back in at either 13 or on the wing.