SRAU RD 8 - Reds v Brumbies

[James GC]

So pick Wells at 8.

I'm ok with that he is going great this year and man does he have some wheels.

 

[KOB1987]

On the ASY (Angus Scott-Young) vs Valetini thing;

It's the first game I've watched this year but is it a fair abservation to say that Valetini spent a fair bit of time in the centres while Angus Scott-Young (ASY (Angus Scott-Young)) did not and therefore this might explain peoples opposing views on the two players?

Some of these opinions about ASY (Angus Scott-Young) seem to be personal, is this against the player himself or the posters who support him?

For what it's worth I didn't seem to notice Valetini in the second half anywhere near as much as I did ASY (Angus Scott-Young), and in case anyone asks the question, yes, I would prefer to have ASY (Angus Scott-Young) in the REDS team.

Interestingly I have them both in my fantasy team, ASY (Angus Scott-Young) won that battle 29.7 to Valetini's 22.6

 

[Ignoto]

I thought it was a cracking game between two good sides and I’m not sure anyone on the field really diminished their standing in my eyes. The Reds tactics/game plan proved to be too good in the end - but it was a close run thing. Brumbies continue to be an excellent side and I can’t see them not winning through to the final. It’ll be a massive game. On last nights evidence the crowd should be capacity.

I agree that most players on both teams highlighted why they should be starting over their counterparts i.e Valentine over ASY (Angus Scott-Young)/Wright, JOC (James O'Connor) over Noah. Neville over Smith/LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto).

But inversely, I think there were a few players who didn't rise to the occasion. Simone really stood out as a bloke who has all these great highlight reals, but never seems to go up a gear when the pressure comes on. I'm still not sold on FF (Folau Fainga'a), outside of being the last guy in a maul, he seems to bring bugger all.

What I will say is, I have concerns that's twice the Brumbies have come out strong only to fade at the end of the game and ultimately lose. It's concerning because we all know that the Darkness really excel in the last bit of a half, especially in the second 15-10 minutes.

For a team that loves playing smart rugby, they chose some stupid options on kicking for touch when they should have opted for the goal. Whether that was their game plan or AAA's decision, it clearly backfired and has worked twice now for the Reds under JOC (James O'Connor)'s reign.

 

[Adam84]

I’m surprised Brumbies didn’t line up for a drop goal in the end, they had perfect field position for doing so

 

[Froggy]

Well that was a really enjoyable game. My few thoughts, in no particular order
* Neville and Wright should be two of the first players to be selected for the Wallabies, they continue to impress week after week
* JOC (James O'Connor) has to be the Wallaby 10, it shouldn't even be a subject for debate
* Great thinking be Thorne to leave Petaia on the wing and bring in Flook when Paisami had to withdraw. Petaia's passing game isn't good enough for 13, and he excels on the wing, and Flook, after looking a bit lost early, really grew into the game
* The Brumbies give away too many penalties. A bit like my Tahs, ill discipline is costing them matches
* The Reds scrum is a serious weapon, and they comfortably dominated a Wallaby Brumbies front row

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Typical Murdoch bs - Sunday telegraph did not even mention results of last nights reds vs brumbies game.

 

[redstragic]

Froggy, agree with you and one from me, this has probably been mentioned by someone else but the Reds won the game when they stopped giving away penalties that allowed the Brumbies to kick into the corner.

 

[James GC]

Well that was a really enjoyable game. My few thoughts, in no particular order
* Neville and Wright should be two of the first players to be selected for the Wallabies, they continue to impress week after week
* JOC (James O'Connor) has to be the Wallaby 10, it shouldn't even be a subject for debate
* Great thinking be Thorne to leave Petaia on the wing and bring in Flook when Paisami had to withdraw. Petaia's passing game isn't good enough for 13, and he excels on the wing, and Flook, after looking a bit lost early, really grew into the game
* The Brumbies give away too many penalties. A bit like my Tahs, ill discipline is costing them matches
* The Reds scrum is a serious weapon, and they comfortably dominated a Wallaby Brumbies front row

Ex Wallaby front row.

 

[James GC]

Froggy, agree with you and one from me, this has probably been mentioned by someone else but the Reds won the game when they stopped giving away penalties that allowed the Brumbies to kick into the corner.

They also showed when they are starved of red zone set piece they are also devoid of ideas on how to break down the Reds defence.

 

[redstragic]

I’m surprised Brumbies didn’t line up for a drop goal in the end, they had perfect field position for doing so

Not sure what that was about either, but it had to be a tactic, they had a heap of phases right in front in the last few minutes.

 

[Dan54]

Actually it's quite good, had a few mates sent me happy messages after game, and we all having a bit of a laugh , as about 3-4 years ago we had asked ourselves over a beer or 2 (as you do) if Brad Thorn knew what he was doing! Guess he answeres our question, seems he does, Reds look like they all on same page etc! Bugger being knowledgeable isn't it?

 

[Dan54]

And I would add bloody Brumbies are still a good team, but someone has to lose when 2 good teams play!

 

[James GC]

Actually it's quite good, had a few mates sent me happy messages after game, and we all having a bit of a laugh , as about 3-4 years ago we had asked ourselves over a beer or 2 (as you do) if Brad Thorn knew what he was doing! Guess he answeres our question, seems he does, Reds look like they all on same page etc! Bugger being knowledgeable isn't it?

Thorne never seemed very articulate in the past but the Reds board have bought into his vision and he is repaying their faith. The last two Reds games post match interviews with Thorne have been great and you can see his passion and he is struggling to hold back his smile .

 

[Dan54]

Thorne never seemed very articulate in the past but the Reds board have bought into his vision and he is repaying their faith. The last two Reds games post match interviews with Thorne have been great and you can see his passion and he is struggling to hold back his smile .

Take my word for it, it is enjoyable to be proved wrong sometimes!

 

[Up the Guts]

Highlight of the night was the number of pissed QLDers getting their team over the line. Footy is back.

 

[Adam84]

Highlight of the night was the number of pissed QLDers getting their team over the line. Footy is back.

Just contributing where I can!

 

[dru]

What I will say is, I have concerns that's twice the Brumbies have come out strong only to fade at the end of the game and ultimately lose. It's concerning because we all know that the Darkness really excel in the last bit of a half, especially in the second 15-10 minutes.

SO Brumbies either make the 15 or go no further than the broader training squad? Conversely Reds to feature on the WB bench?

Another observation was the performance of White. Made an important turnover and is credited with 13 tackles. Those tackles were not simply cover defence either. I'm not sure exactly what that says about the pack performance around the ruck but I'd suggest they were lucky that White is as robust as he is.

 

[drewprint]

Highlight of the night was the number of pissed QLDers getting their team over the line. Footy is back.

I was in the beer queue when Flook scored his try, so I was one of about 50 random people ordering/collecting drinks while watching it on the little TV screen inside. Everyone stopped what they were doing for 20 seconds, focused on the Reds line break, then exploded and high fived each other when he scored. Feels like we haven’t had that kind of rugby atmosphere in Brisbane for a long time, and far out it was nice.

 

[Zero_Cool]

So the Red scrum was dominant even with the Brumbies first choice front row, I think that will be telling going forwards.
But the more interesting thing was I thought it looked like the Reds were figuring out how they defend the Brumbies lineout.

 

[TSR]

Spent the game next to some random bloke I’ve never met on one side and my daughter on the other. He and I chatted happily in the game and he even chipped me a bit when JOC (James O'Connor) put the ball in the air for Petaia and I started to say, ‘gee, I know we are under advantage, but stop.....’ at which point Petaia caught it and scored. Chatted to the other fans around me. The final bit of defence was right on in front of us - which was good because most of the tries were the other end. Crowd was in a good mood - probably a bit quiet in the first half (so I had to keep quiet because my daughter had warned my I wasn’t allowed to yell out or yell at the ref ) but got into it in the second half and we all erupted when the Reds won it. Was great to see. Long may it continue.

Reds Happy - I hope it put a smile on your face mate.