James GC
Larry Dwyer (12)
Kalani hasn't shown off his running game yet either, I think his passing has been a little too high so far but I'd put that down to nerves he will get better. Sorovi was fantastic for Wests last weekend.
SRAU RD 10 - Force v Reds Friday 23rd April HBF Park
- Thread starter liquor box
- Start date
rugbyontherange
Frank Nicholson (4)
My input was just general chat about selections in what has developed to be a team with huge depth.
Please don't crap back to other punters answer unless you've had your coffee.
You have had a few wild rants now Reg, from all of us....Are You OK?
dru
David Wilson (68)
How much experience does ASY (Angus Scott-Young) have in the locks? He just doesn't seem to be tall enough. He's been playing great but it does seem a little odd to me, especially as we have other loose forwards who seem better placed for lock. It'll be interesting to see how 4 to 8 line up in play and who is actually jumping in the line.
Cancelled Account
Desmond Connor (43)
I’d be interested to know what you’re hearing as to why Creighton is in front of Henry?
Set piece magic
John Solomon (38)
I have to say, just like how it was always going to be a great success if the Reds made it out of the dressing room door against the superlative Brumbies, it will be a major achievement if we so much as safely check into our Hotel in Perth.
We know the Force is hungry, they've waited years to try and get into a final. They were rightfully aggrieved by the decision to remove them from the comp. They're planning a Viet Cong level ambush, using twiggy's mining equipment to dig tunnels and pop out on game day and catch our brave boys off guard.
Playing thousands of kilometres from home, with potential food poisoning in our hotel, and a local populace hostile to conquerors, I don't think we stand a chance in this game. But if we win it, it would be the crowning glory of our triumphant 2021 regular season, that would rightfully be immortilised in Rugby History.
We know the Force is hungry, they've waited years to try and get into a final. They were rightfully aggrieved by the decision to remove them from the comp. They're planning a Viet Cong level ambush, using twiggy's mining equipment to dig tunnels and pop out on game day and catch our brave boys off guard.
Playing thousands of kilometres from home, with potential food poisoning in our hotel, and a local populace hostile to conquerors, I don't think we stand a chance in this game. But if we win it, it would be the crowning glory of our triumphant 2021 regular season, that would rightfully be immortilised in Rugby History.
Conroy
Frank Row (1)
ASY (Angus Scott-Young)'s had a very good season, and probably deserves a start in the final, but won't get one in the back row with Wright back. I think Thorn is giving him a chance to earn that starting spot for the final. He'll need a good game, and probably more importantly for him our set piece will need to be solid.
Finsbury Girl
Trevor Allan (34)
I'm not convinced as yet with Thomas as much as I've criticised Sorovi in the past I still think he is the numero due at this stage.
Most likely we are giving blokes game time to build depth we don't want to see a Mack Mason situation (though Tate is hopefully not going anywhere in the next few years).
Most likely we are giving blokes game time to build depth we don't want to see a Mack Mason situation (though Tate is hopefully not going anywhere in the next few years).
Purce
Dave Cowper (27)
He has played there a bit at club and I think has had a couple stints there for the Reds. He is 194cm, both Thorn and Itoje are 195. I suspect his form this year has pushed him ahead of both Blyth and Smith. Hard to argue with. Very much a Thorn style lock. I don't mind it at Super level. I would also prefer Uru's style off the bench than ASY (Angus Scott-Young).
Thrush has been v good at lineout time so I suspect he will cause a few problems in the first half if we aren't smart about our L/O.
Kevin77
Fred Wood (13)
dru
David Wilson (68)
Some data out there just be wrong then.
EDIT: Nope. I just clear got if wrong. Thanks Purce.
rugbyontherange
Frank Nicholson (4)
The thing with these young guys now is that its hard for them to get that higher level experience.
The younger group that has come through for the last 3 years: Hoopert, Nasser, Wright, ASY (Angus Scott-Young), McReight, Wilson, Blythe, Tate, Stewart, Jordie, have all come through the QLD U20’s comp for 2 years, the Oceania Tournaments, the Junior Wallabies, a couple of years in NRC and then have played some club at the back end of the season.
They have had opportunities to play against men and international teams, at a higher level.
The young guys coming through today, like Kalani, Nonggorr, Creighton, Wallis, haven’t had those development opportunities and the highest rep honours Thomas has had is Aus Schoolboys/U18’s. Looking back to the game in 2019 v NZ where the Aus boys won, Kalani wasn’t even the starting 9. Since then I could be wrong, but the only opportunity he has had to play against men is his 20 mins off the bench so for the Reds, with last weekend being his first game for UQ in Prem grade. So nothing against the young lad at all, I am sure he is a terrific young man and Thorn is not wrong in the fact that he is an exceptional talent, its just a strange choice as to bringing him in to Super Rugby so early, particularly at this end of the season, without the background experience at higher level games. I did see the Souths No 9 put a try on against him down the side line last weekend and I wouldn’t class Thomas’s effort or speed in the chase as being that of a Super Rugby level player, whereas Moses was and has been dominant at club level.
From Adam84
"As for ASY (Angus Scott-Young) ahead of Blyth/Smith, well Blyth is the only one who can feel miffed here. Smith has had ample game time this season for a debutant. There’s clearly something in his game which Thorn wants Blyth to work on and improve:.
Curious that the last game Blythe played was v Force and from stats memory he made 17 tackles that game? I am sure the stats guru’s will correct me but he had one of his best games, went toe to toe with the Mo off against the legend Thrush. Yet Blythe has not been seen again and whilst Smith did his job against Waratahs and Burmbies, and I certainly agree with Thorn’s process of giving the guys some starts and some time from the bench, he wasn’t outstanding if you compare him to Blythe. It’s interesting because Mafi, Nonggorr and Blythe were ridiculously dominant against the Easts pack and line out, which included Wright, Uru, Asiata and Grant last weekend.
Mafi’s line outs to Blythe, followed by the maul drive were faultless and led to 3 tries for the Big Mafi. Wright, Uru and Grant were not able to contain the Bond line out no matter where Mafi threw it. Mafi’s throws were exceptional.
The forward drives were ala Brumbies style and Nonggorr (who played 60mins) was all over big George Francis in the scrum. The Bond scrum literally drove over the East scrum time and time again.
Yet interestingly, Mafi is on the bench.
Now Reg, i'm not saying anything about Thorn as coach or Reds or QLD Rugby, I am a huge supporter of all, and like we all questioned Flook starting to replace Hunter v Brumbies rather than moving Jordie in, no doubt our thoughts on things will be shovved up our proverbial asses by the lads getting on and doing the job Thorn knows they can do.
In Thorn we trust.
Amen
Yes, after Game 1, Thorn said that was ASY (Angus Scott-Young)'s first time calling the lineouts
Set piece magic
John Solomon (38)
The lockdown starts at midnight tonight - I guess that means the game is still on with a crowd too?