Stormers vs Queensland Reds @ Newlands - 2011R08

[TOCC]

lol, gotta love these south african reporters, stops just short of accusing the Reds of 'questionable tactics'

Crafty Reds stun Stormers

JON CARDINELLI reports on a tactical arm-wrestle that was deservedly won 19-6 by the Reds.

The half-time scoreline would have frustrated Reds coach Ewen McKenzie. The visitors came to Newlands with a criminal intent, aiming to rattle the aggressive Stormers pack by any means necessary. They succeeded to a degree when No 8 Duane Vermeulen was sin-binned after just nine minutes, but failed when they scored no points during the Stormers’ period of sanction.

The hosts scrapped on defence as if the title itself was on the line. They repelled the Reds’ attack with some brutal gang-tackling, and effected some crucial turnovers inside their own 22. The Reds took some poor options during this period, with Will Genia guilty of going the wrong way or probing behind the defence when it may have been more prudent to keep ball in hand. The upshot was the Stormers survived the yellow card without conceding a point.

But Vermeulen’s return did little to sway the territorial battle in the hosts’ favour. Peter Grant struggled for kicking distance and was tactically outplayed by opposite number Quade Cooper, who seemed to find plenty of space behind the Stormers defence with some booming torpedo punts.

The Reds’ set-piece also pressured the hosts, and if not for their struggles at the collisions, they may have penetrated that blue and white wall. They maintained a useful lead through the goal-kicking boot of Cooper, and were helped by the Stormers’ own mistakes on attack.

The home team battled to build attacking continuity. While their defensive work at the breakdown was rough enough to rate the television broadcast R18, their attacking clearouts weren’t sufficiently accurate or robust. They were stopped and turned over regularly, and the tactical kicking of the Reds repeatedly turned the tired Stormers pack around.

Somehow the Stormers stayed in the game. Cooper missed an easy attempt on the hour, a miss that drew the loudest cheer of the evening from the partisan Cape crowd. The Stormers botched a lineout five metres out from their own line, but still managed to turn the Aussies over.

The Reds were handed an opportunity to close the game out when Deon Fourie received a yellow card for a professional foul in the 67th minute. Cooper nailed a difficult penalty attempt to stretch the lead to 12-6, and with the Stormers attack as blunt as a butter knife, the visitors were on the verge on an upset. A niggling attitude and a more precise kicking game had earned them victory.

They won a scrum from five metres out, and used the one-man advantage to full effect. They scrummed the Stormers onto the back foot and Mike Harris crashed over from close range to secure a valuable win. Fittingly, Cooper added the extras.

http://www.keo.co.za/2011/04/09/stormers-vs-reds-1705-ko/

 

[Sandpit Fan]

lol, gotta love these south african reporters, stops just short of accusing the Reds of 'questionable tactics'

You wouldn't expect anything less from the Keo boys! Can't have an Aussie team win by playing better in their eyes.

 

[Joe Blow]

Great game by the Reds taking it to the Stormers up front and controlling the game perfectly through Genia and Cooper.
They have a few strings to their bow this year. Slipper, Horwill and Robinson were immense.
Well Done!!!!

 

[Sandpit Fan]

A few names on the walk of shame from the Superbru tipping this week.... Although I only tipped the mighty Reds by 1 point I must admit.

 

[TOCC]

After the game a pleased Head Coach Ewen McKenzie said it was probably the best win for the Reds in two years. He refused to single out one player saying that everyone played well and deserved credit.

Also good news for the Reds, they came through the match injury free..quite exceptional considering the physicality of the game

 

[Gagger]

Good to see the ref penalise Samo for unnecessarily counter-rucking. Hope all refs take this on board. Happens too often imo and is generally only intended to injure.

Funnily enough on the replay you could see that the Stormers had sealed the ruck off. I almost felt SAMO was justified

I believe Link might actually be turning Higginbotham into a forward

How good was Genia's kicking? He's taken over from Du Preez

Link would rightly be chuffed with that performance. Great execution of the right gameplan

 

[wobbly]

Just got up and nearly choked on the corn flakes when I read that the Reds out muscled the Stormers in Cape Town. I didn't expect that!

Can't wait until tonight when I can watch the replay.

Question: Is it too early to be considering Beau Robinson as a Wallaby benchman?

His physicality and hunger has really impressed. I like Hodgson and think he deserved far more Wallaby caps than he has, but injuries and repositioning at the Force have set him back.

I reckon it's significant that we're starting to see the emergence of physical back rowers like Robinson, Saffy, McCalman, Mowen, Dennis that aren't flashy but Can compete with kiwi and saffa orcs that have always been a dime a dozen. Having 5 pro teams has finally allowed these types of players to be valued.

 

[Gagger]

Nice one Wobbly. Like the cut of your jib there.

 

[barbarian]

Funnily enough on the replay you could see that the Stormers had sealed the ruck off. I almost felt SAMO was justified

Nah it was pretty bad, almost deserved a card IMO. If it was Bakkies we would all be up in arms.

 

[aussie1st]

Reds were awesome tonight, forward pack totally monstered the Stormers who never were in the game. Their attack still looked good and were unlucky not to score more than 1 try.

 

[Lee Grant]

Great win by the Reds. I wrote earlier that if they played liked they did against the Lions in the 2nd half they could win it, but I didn't expect the manner of the win.

This was the best win, of it's type, that I have seen from the Reds in a long, long time. Sometimes they over did the tactical kicking from 30-40 metres out but the tactics worked. Their aggressive defence for 80 minutes was superb and as Skinstad kept saying: "They're bullying the Stormers." It was great to see an Oz team doing that to an unbeaten South African team.

As far as I could see the Stormers must have looked at the video of the Lions game and decided they had to bomb for dropped ball. It was a bit of easy homework but they should have done more and found out that Genia is one of the finest takers of the high ball in Oz and not kicked to him. The Stormers were poo. A lot of that was caused by the Reds but much of it was from a lack of effort and diligence.

That could be their one poor game for the year but maybe it is a crack in the armour.

Well done again Reds - great scrummaging; just fix that lineout.

Just one thing I couldn't work out: why didn't Harris take all the kicks?

 

[darkhorse]

Just one thing I couldn't work out: why didn't Harris take all the kicks?

I think Link is concerned that Harris is a definite starter yet. Taking the kicking duties away from Cooper could shake his confidence a bit and hurt you later in the season. Also Cooper hasn't resigned for the following yr so Link will be doing everything to keep him on side.

Still I agree that it would of been smarter to have Harris taking the kicks even if it was just for a one off for this game. The game wasn't in the bag until the last couple of minutes and the extra certainty of Harris' boot would of been welcome

 

[TOCC]

I think Link is concerned that Harris is a definite starter yet. Taking the kicking duties away from Cooper could shake his confidence a bit and hurt you later in the season. Also Cooper hasn't resigned for the following yr so Link will be doing everything to keep him on side.

Still I agree that it would of been smarter to have Harris taking the kicks even if it was just for a one off for this game. The game wasn't in the bag until the last couple of minutes and the extra certainty of Harris' boot would of been welcome

I dont necessarily agree, I think your reading to far into it, last week it was Cooper's call to relieve himself of the kicking duties and hand it to Harris.. If necessary, Quade would have made the call again this week. On top of that, how many kicks has Harris made under pressure, kicking 50m on the high veldt in front of barely 10'000 fans at a Cheetahs game is significantly different to kicking down at sea level in front of 45'000 screaming Stormers fans.

 

[Ruggo]

Ant Fainga'a was solid at 13 and had good impact. Technique needs work but I notice that Quade has been getting his hands much dirtier in defence. Harris was solid but the strengths of his game with the kicking were well covered by Genia and Cooper. But what about those Forwards. Fantastic performance from a pack that done a great job as a unit. The incorporation of bench players was seamless. What is most exciting is we have so many in form fresh legs at our desposal for the Bulls next week.

 

[TOCC]

Also, regardless of what the table currently says, Crusaders are the form team of the competition, they would probably be outright winners except they had that 'draw' vs the Hurricanes in lieu of the earthquake.

 

[Ruggo]

I dont necessarily agree, I think your reading to far into it, last week it was Cooper's call to relieve himself of the kicking duties and hand it to Harris.. If necessary, Quade would have made the call again this week. On top of that, how many kicks has Harris made under pressure, kicking 50m on the high veldt in front of barely 10'000 fans at a Cheetahs game is significantly different to kicking down at sea level in front of 45'000 screaming Stormers fans.

I get the vibe of what you are saying but those kicks of Harris's last week got us back into the game. That in itself brings an eliment of pressure to the kick. Link is doing a wonderful job of keeping his options open.

 

[red army]

What a great win by the reds. The forward pack was massive all game winning most of the collisions at the breakdown and the defensive line was up off the line fast all game shutting down any attacking raids by the stormers.

One thing im not sure about was having harris on the field but not kicking the goals. I think if hes not kicking goals then hes maybe best coming off the bench with Fainga'a and either chambers, ioane or morahan in the centres. But harris did have a solid game and probably deserves another crack. Be interesting to see what happens if lucas is coming back. Id keep him on the bench for this week.

I also heard that ed quirk had a run for easts on the w.e i wonder if he may come back into the team this week.

Go the reds!!!!

 

[biggsy]

That was my observation as well. The 'punch' YC was unlucky and probably didn't deserve it, but there was a penalty infront of the post where Genia was tripped that deserved it. The other trip was very dodgy and well caught. Reds however really were lucky not to lose QC (Quade Cooper) when he made that second high tackle; he probably deserved to go.

Ture there James,
2 purpose trips, I believe a trip like the last one is a reds card........ but for Saffa refs helped there...
Cooper very lucky, that was one of those copper dumb moments

cant wait for next week. I wish it was next weekend already.....

 

[Lindommer]

I reckon it's significant that we're starting to see the emergence of physical back rowers like Robinson, Saffy, McCalman, Mowen, Dennis that aren't flashy but can compete with Kiwi and Saffer orcs that have always been a dime a dozen. Having 5 pro teams has finally allowed these types of players to be valued.

Excellent point, wobbers. Haven't watched the Stormers/Reds match yet but the same point crossed my mind when Dennis came on in the Force/Tahs match. Palu was starting to run out of petrol and instant addition of physicality by Dennis was noticeable. Higginkhyber's capable of this hard-shouldered approach (at times) but seems to prefer seagulling. If he can keep his nose on, or near, the ball we'll be well served with back-rowers in Oz rugby.

 

[liquor box]

Just one thing I couldn't work out: why didn't Harris take all the kicks?

I think I read that QC (Quade Cooper) was getting some coaching this week by a former Springbok (van stratten?? am probably way off on the name) if the coaching worked then maybe he is still the goto man in the team?