Super Rugby AU Grand Final - Reds v Brumbies - Saturday 8th May 2021

[Rugbynutter39]

No Blyth, no Vunivalu, no Sorovi and JOC (James O'Connor) as captain.

There’s gonna be some upset people

Not me - ASY (Angus Scott-Young) been immense this season at 6, JOC (James O'Connor) shown outstanding leadership for most of season and deserves it as shown can make right decisions under pressure.PS Liam comes back as captain and reds lose their first game. I reckon JOC (James O'Connor) chance for wallabies captain and this move will help. Liam is on the bench and no doubt will still play a major role as a finisher, and still early in his return from injury (suspect he will be back as starting 6 into TT.

 

[Purce]

If Vuni is out then I would have gone Campbell 15 and Daugunu 11. Hegarty to help steer the ship in the 2nd half from the bench.

Thomas shouldn't be near the 23 yet. Very perplexing selection. Blyth and Sorovi must have said something about Jeebus which Thorn overheard. Never to be seen again!

Understand ASY (Angus Scott-Young) starting. Reckon he will slide into lock early in the 2nd half, Reds to finish with Wright and McReight creating all sorts of mayhem at the breakdown.

Brumbies to have a tough time at scrum time but likely create a bit of havoc at line out time for the reds with 3 tall timber on the field. Kick for territory and back themselves winning against the throw.

Very settled backline for the Brumbs. Will be an interesting game.

 

[Cancelled Account]

Wow, wow and wow.
Good to see Isaac Henry get a bench spot, but Stewart and Flook both in the centres as starters, and Campbell on the wing over Daugunu. It looks like Thorn is using impact from the bench. Maybe a tactical move to bamboozle the Brumbies. Surely McDermott plays for 80.

 

[rodha]

Wow, wow and wow.
Good to see Isaac Henry get a bench spot, but Stewart and Flook both in the centres as starters, and Campbell on the wing over Daugunu.

Reds backline is too lightweight & lacks physicality esp. with Paisami missing from the centres.

Flook, Campbell, Hegarty, etc.. are all 89kg or under & they aren't particularly strong defenders.

I would even have Ilaisa Droasese on one wing, with Petaia at 13, providing more size for the Reds backline.

I actually think Brumbies could expose this young lightweight Reds backline on Saturday, they look lightweight and fragile..

 

[Cancelled Account]

Reds backline is too lightweight & lacks physicality esp. with Paisami missing from centres.

Flook, Campbell, Hegarty, etc.. are all 89kg or under & they aren't very strong defenders.

I would even have Ilaisa Droasese on one wing, with Petaia at 13, providing more size for the Reds backline.

I actually think the Brumbies could expose this young lightweight backline on Saturday, they look lightweight and fragile..

FFS did Thorn pull the back’s names out of a hat. JOC (James O'Connor) and McDermott need to be on their leadership game. In all seriousness, why would you put Stewart and Flook in the centres at the same time against the strongest centre combination in the country??? Droasese or Petaia at 13 are the only options. Daugunu then to wing. McDermott must play 80 or we’re fucked. We better win on Saturday night or Thorn should follow suit and stand down for absolute stupidity.

 

[rodha]

FFS did Thorn pull the back’s names out of a hat. JOC (James O'Connor) and McDermott need to be on their leadership game. In all seriousness, why would you put Stewart and Flook in the centres at the same time against the strongest centre combination in the country??? Droasese or Petaia at 13 are the only options. Daugunu then to wing. We better win on Saturday night or Thorn should follow suit and stand down for absolute stupidity.

Jim McKay has a big influence on the Reds selections I've heard, as much as Thorn apparently. Maybe they're worried about Brumbies kicking game & went with dual fullbacks in Hegarty/Campbell for high ball security and their added kicking game.

 

[Derpus]

Reds backline is too lightweight & lacks physicality esp. with Paisami missing from the centres.

Flook, Campbell, Hegarty, etc.. are all 89kg or under & they aren't particularly strong defenders.

I would even have Ilaisa Droasese on one wing, with Petaia at 13, providing more size for the Reds backline.

I actually think Brumbies could expose this young lightweight Reds backline on Saturday, they look lightweight and fragile..

You have an odd obsession with the weights of centres eh.

 

[Cancelled Account]

Jim McKay has a big influence on the Reds selections I've heard, as much as Thorn apparently. Maybe they're worried about Brumbies kicking game & went with dual fullbacks in Hegarty/Campbell for high ball security and their added kicking game.

All I can say is that we better win.

 

[Derpus]

FFS did Thorn pull the back’s names out of a hat. JOC (James O'Connor) and McDermott need to be on their leadership game. In all seriousness, why would you put Stewart and Flook in the centres at the same time against the strongest centre combination in the country??? Droasese or Petaia at 13 are the only options. Daugunu then to wing. McDermott must play 80 or we’re fucked. We better win on Saturday night or Thorn should follow suit and stand down for absolute stupidity.

Because it worked last time? Flook even scored, and generally had a cracker.

Dunno what game you were watching last time.

 

[jl75]

If Vuni is out then I would have gone Campbell 15 and Daugunu 11. Hegarty to help steer the ship in the 2nd half from the bench.

Thomas shouldn't be near the 23 yet. Very perplexing selection. Blyth and Sorovi must have said something about Jeebus which Thorn overheard. Never to be seen again!

Understand ASY (Angus Scott-Young) starting. Reckon he will slide into lock early in the 2nd half, Reds to finish with Wright and McReight creating all sorts of mayhem at the breakdown.

Brumbies to have a tough time at scrum time but likely create a bit of havoc at line out time for the reds with 3 tall timber on the field. Kick for territory and back themselves winning against the throw.

Very settled backline for the Brumbs. Will be an interesting game.

 

[jl75]

Absolutely agree. Thomas doesn’t even justify selection. Must have something over them. Yet again Sorovi banished. Why? And someone please jam the chewing gum up these young players arses. Absolute disgrace and not a good look for juniors coming through re: mouth guards. Just my opinion but it just shows a sign of arrogance. Earn your keep before you show of your arrogance. Love the Reds but brumbies by 12.

 

[Cancelled Account]

Because it worked last time? Flook even scored, and generally had a cracker.

Dunno what game you were watching last time.

I’m a fan of Flook, and I’m not insinuating he’s selection in the 23 is the problem here. Two small centres, with the other selections in the backs is radical, particularly with the opposing lineup. For Christ’s sake I hope I’m wrong.

 

[brokendown]

Is the Reds announced 15 actually going to be the run on team?

 

[Brumby Runner]

With so many Reds fans lamenting the selections, I think I need to add some balance.

WTF are McKellar and Fisher thinking putting a rookie Lock who's 2.05m tall in the No 6 position? And why move the form No 6 in the competition into the unfamiliar No 8 spot? A late front row of Lloyd, an injured Fainga'a and Ross is trouble waiting to happen. Reds are sure things to win by 24.

Actually, I quite like the experiment of Frost to 6. Certainly the lineout will be a lot stronger which will enhance Tom Banks' match-winning line kicks while at the same time perhaps negating the Reds attacking capability from lineout set play. Frost also has a great turn of speed for such a big man and his defence has tightened up a whole lot this year. Could be a master stroke? I am banking on Dan and Laurie knowing exactly what they are doing.

Rob Valetini is the obvious replacement for Samu at 8, and with Reimer and Stowers to come on late I think the backrow will be a match for the vaunted Reds backrow.

Assuming FF (Folau Fainga'a) is fit to play, it is a good move to have him on the bench to come on with the two less experienced props.

Really hoping for a close, high quality final to finish off an impressive SRAu season.

 

[Adam84]

Frost to 6 is a poor selection, smells of desperation.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Wow, wow and wow.
Good to see Isaac Henry get a bench spot, but Stewart and Flook both in the centres as starters, and Campbell on the wing over Daugunu. It looks like Thorn is using impact from the bench. Maybe a tactical move to bamboozle the Brumbies. Surely McDermott plays for 80.

Interesting time to have Isaac Henry make his super rugby debut but to me I like Thorn's thinking that if good enough to make your debut who cares whether just a game or GF as like how he has continued to make sure wider squad get their chances which has made for great squad depth.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

With so many Reds fans lamenting the selections, I think I need to add some balance.

WTF are McKellar and Fisher thinking putting a rookie Lock who's 2.05m tall in the No 6 position? And why move the form No 6 in the competition into the unfamiliar No 8 spot? A late front row of Lloyd, an injured Fainga'a and Ross is trouble waiting to happen. Reds are sure things to win by 24.

Actually, I quite like the experiment of Frost to 6. Certainly the lineout will be a lot stronger which will enhance Tom Banks' match-winning line kicks while at the same time perhaps negating the Reds attacking capability from lineout set play. Frost also has a great turn of speed for such a big man and his defence has tightened up a whole lot this year. Could be a master stroke? I am banking on Dan and Laurie knowing exactly what they are doing.

Rob Valetini is the obvious replacement for Samu at 8, and with Reimer and Stowers to come on late I think the backrow will be a match for the vaunted Reds backrow.

Assuming FF (Folau Fainga'a) is fit to play, it is a good move to have him on the bench to come on with the two less experienced props.

Really hoping for a close, high quality final to finish off an impressive SRAu season.

I did go WTF with Frost selection at 6 but in fairness probably not seen the other sides of his game in terms of speed and improved defence you seen so maybe this is an astute ploy given injuries. Henry Stowers is 190cm so could also give ok lineout cover maybe if had to come on at 6 if injuries to Frost or one of the locks.

 

[Cancelled Account]

Is the Reds announced 15 actually going to be the run on team?

I think you’re onto something.
The world’s gone bonkers.

 

[Derpus]

Frost to 6 is a poor selection, smells of desperation.

Smells of injuries.

 

[Frenchy]

Reds backline is too lightweight & lacks physicality esp. with Paisami missing from the centres.

Flook, Campbell, Hegarty, etc.. are all 89kg or under & they aren't particularly strong defenders.

I would even have Ilaisa Droasese on one wing, with Petaia at 13, providing more size for the Reds backline.

I actually think Brumbies could expose this young lightweight Reds backline on Saturday, they look lightweight and fragile..

The weight argument is 100% irrelevant in high level professional rugby today.

If you want to talk about physicality, then let's talk about explosive power, not weight. Paisaimi is listed at 90kg, which makes him a lightweight too. Yet he's very physical.

And even still, not everything in a backline is about the explosive power of individual players. Technique (for passing, kicking, tackling), mobility and cohesion are huge factors as well. Stewart and Flook aren't athletic beasts, but they are quality rugby players and at the end of the day, on a rugby field, that's what matters.

As far as defence is concerned, again the weight argument isn't particularly important for a center pairing. What matters is tackle technique, positioning, and communication.

I think this Reds lineup is the best they could select and I'm no worried about Stewart / Flook. Because it comes with JOC (James O'Connor) / Stewart at first and second 5/8 (they play great together), and it comes with a game winner (Petaia) on the wing. Flook is a good link man and a potent attacking threat on his own.