The Reds run in April

[disco]

Just looking at the fixtures & we've got a much needed bye next week then the Stormers @ home then the Blues & Saders away.

I think Digby is back for the Stormers as he was given 4 weeks & not 4 matches so does anyone know of any other returns?

I think we really need to win 2 of the next 3 matches so the Stormers @ home is must win & then I think we need to really target the Blues so hopefully a couple of bonus point wins would be nice.

 

[Sully]

Digby got 5 weeks not 4. 4 games with the bye.

 

[disco]

Spewing.

When does Ant Fainga'a return?

 

[tranquility]

Yeah... He would make a massive difference right about now.

 

[Sully]

I don't know they are pretty tight lipped about these things. Our only hope is Reg or Timmsy. but I wouldn't hold your breath.

 

[TOCC]

Harris, Lucas and AWH are all due back for the game after the bye..

A.Fainga'a, Digby and Q.Cooper will be back in the weeks following that one would imagine..

As long as the Reds can scrap a few more wins prior to the big names returning, we should see some better form in the second half of the season.

 

[Scotty]

Even Harris and Lucas will make a big difference. One of the best kickers in the comp plus our best attacking 10. We have the option of dropping either of the inconsistent outside backs (morahan and davies), and giving toua another start.

 

[The Red Baron]

The bye has come at a good time. We can take stock, hopefully get some troops back on board for the next run of games.

The next three matches will really define our season. The Stormers are going to be tough, but I am really worried about the 2 games in NZ.

The Blues are playing like rubbish and the Crusaders seem to be traveling much like we are. That's what concerns me. The Blues could very well click into gear against us, whereas the Crusaders are going to be desperate to get the juggernaut rolling in the next few weeks, of which we could be victims.

Having said that, fresh from a break and with some of our better players back, the exact opposite of what I have just described could very well happen. If we start to click against these 3 teams, it will set us up going into the back end of the season. Lets hope so.

 

[MrMouse]

I feel as though this is the bit where Reds fans normally troll Tahs threads...

But I just don't have it in me. Fingers crossed you get Harris, Fainga'a and Lucas back and fit soon - it's good for Australian rugby, really.

Reckon you need to win 2 out of those 3. It's possible, just not the way you're travelling at the moment.

 

[Sandpit Fan]

Stormers will certainly be a challenge. Glad we are getting them at Suncorp after the kiwi's have had a couple of cracks at them to take the edge off.

Remember this time last year, playing the Stormers (who were undefeated at the time IIRC) at Newlands. We were written off far & wide.

The tactical kicking will have to be a fucking sight better than it has been if we are to have any chance.

 

[vidiot]

Thank god for the wobbly win and the bye, they needed to close that chapter in a vaguely positive way. Looking forward to the Stormers at Suncorp. If the reds are going to get this season going, they'll have to do whatever it takes.

Fortunately they will have Steve Walsh, fresh legs and a home crowd. Harris will kick them home if they can rediscover defensive starch and play the game at the right end.

Over to you, Matt Taylor.

 

[MrMouse]

But will Archangel Georgie be there to deliver from the heavens?

 

[vidiot]

The TMO is Steve Lesczcynski. But the big dog up top remains the same.

 

[MrMouse]

Wait, so George Ayoub is actually operating under the alias Steve Lesczxynski? Why? I'd have thought Queenslanders everywhere would have bought him a beer after the other night

 

[Tangawizi]

Courier Mail today is saying Harris, Lucas, Ant Fainga'a & AWH will be back for the Stormers with Quade a week or 2 later. So plenty of changes coming up for the Reds 22.

Safe enough to say that Lane & Murphy will make way in the backs but a few tough calls coming up for Link. Might be time to get a thread going for the Stormers match.

 

[Sully]

Fainga'a is the most exciting I think but it will be great to have them all back!

 

[spectator]

As I mentioned on the other thread I think Lucas is the key inclusion for the next game. He's a good defender, will kick intelligently and as he showed against the Sharks, can spark the backline attack.

 

[RedsHappy]

Some speculation, perhaps worth discussing: in what scenarios, against what oppos, or with what game plans, might it make selection sense to bring Lane back at 10, say Taps 12 (his best spot), Harris 13 (and kicker), Lucas 15 and drop Morahan or Davies altogether?

Both Morahan and Davies have shown highly uneven form, and routinely poor to dreadful defence. Neither have delivered especially clever counter attacking raids from 15, nor are their long kicks for the side line particularly long or reliable. Especially vs sides that will skilfully kick back at us often and deep, the trade-off of a near (but good) rookie in Lane, and having Lucas back to direct traffic at the rear and as playmaker no 2 when applicable, might yield a better risk-reward package for game success than having Morahan and Davies at 15 precisely when quality at 15 is crucial. (In many ways, we really miss one of Australia's best 15s in Hynes.)

 

[Gnostic]

I have been very disappointed with Davies return. He was better this week, but still well down on his form of last year. He has appeared very hesitant to go into contact strongly, even stopped and backing slowly into the tackle like a backrower setting for a maul without any pigs near him for such a move. Is it possible given the injury crisis that he has come back unfit for duty?

RH - I am not sure that Harris is the right fit for 13. As with Morty in his dotage I don't feel Harris has the pace or agility to defend in the 13 channel. As good as Lane was on the weekend Harris would have to go back to 10 and Lane to the bench or Lane could start and Harris come off the bench. Taps should stay at 12. I though Morahan had a pretty good game, far better than anything he has done so far this year. If A. Fainga'a is fit he would be my pick at 13 with Morahan on one wing, Ioane the other and move Shipperly to 15 to give him more space and time. After Ioane he has been the best Qld attacker. Davies to the bench.

When Lucas is available he would be first pick at 15 with Morahan and Davies fighting it out for the bench spot.

 

[Slim 293]

It should be mentioned that both Reds wingers on the weekend didn't complete half of their attempted tackles...