Waratahs v Reds Match Thread

[Scotty]

Yes, sorry my post wasn't long enough to explain myself for the Tahs supporters (as it was from my phone). Last week I said you could pick the Tahs team as the Australian team of the week, this week, I'd do the same. The only two I'd think weren't quite up to the level of the others were Mumm and Turner from the starting line up. In fact, I'll go further, if the Wallabies played the Tahs last night, in all likelihood they also would have lost. It was an exceptional performance, and lets hope they can keep it up (comparisons to the Crusaders aren't accurate though, as the Saders normally build through the season - it is hard to see how the Tahs could possibly get any better - except for goal kicking.)

As for last nights game:

First 20 minutes - Tahs start on fire, and Reds don't quite turn up. Tahs also suckered them into thinking they would play tight, and instead hit it up through the midfield.

Second 20 minutes - It was more even, and the only reason the Reds didn't score points was some tight Tahs defense coupled with some Reds handling errors.

Third 20 minutes - Tahs again started after the break on fire. Reds were ok except again for handling errors, and the Tahs were in their faces (there did seem to be a bit of creeping up past the offside line in the midfield). Reds forwards already looked to be tiring.

Last 20 minutes - Most of the structure was lost, all except for the Tahs defensive alignments.

My post on the game 5 days before was to meant to point out that when the Reds didn't start well, and didn't manage to get a score on the board when they started to get into the game (due to great Tahs defense), they were never going to win. After the first 30 minutes it was just about all over for them.

 

[rsea]

Tahs always start seasons strong and fade as the others gain momentum
Certainly started well last night but QLD were rubbish for the 2nd week in a row

 

[wamberal]

The worst tactical mistake by the Reds was the overuse of the box kick by Genia. They just did not turn up to play, looks a bit like the Reds believe that last season's reputation is enough to win against good opponents.

The Tahs look hungrier than I can ever remember seeing them. If they can keep the intensity going (a big if) they will give the competition a real nudge. They must have a good chance of getting five points from all their conference games, which would put them in the box seat for a top two finish.

 

[qwerty51]

Tahs always start seasons strong and fade as the others gain momentum
Certainly started well last night but QLD were rubbish for the 2nd week in a row

Last season they lost 2 from the first 3. They finished strong.

 

[BRIX]

Yep...I'm thinking more and more that the Reds have the 2nd-yr-blues

2nd year blues?...From what. Not making the finals in 2010?

You can put whoever you want in that Reds backline and it ain't going anywhere if they keep getting so comprehensively dicked in the forwards

All the blame shouldn't be lated on the forward pack. They didn't set the foundation for the Reds but you don't necessarily need front foot ball to score a damn try. IMO 9/10/12/13 all looked nonchalant and completely disinterested.

 

[I like to watch]

Last season they lost 2 from the first 3. They finished strong.

One of those games was against NSW, when they led with 1 minute to go.
The other game they lost,from memory they were in it as well.
So they might have been 1 win out of 3, but were playing good footy.
They have yet to play well this year.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

One of those games was against NSW, when they led with 1 minute to go.
The other game they lost,from memory they were in it as well.
So they might have been 1 win out of 3, but were playing good footy.
They have yet to play well this year.

I think qwerty was referring to the Tahs. Beat the Reds in Rd1 and then lost two on the trot in the Republic. They ended the regular season like a house on fire.

 

[DPK]

And the two they lost in SA were against the eventual finalists.

 

[HodgoBerro]

There was a sci fi convention out at Olympic Park yesterday. Explains why the Tahs' had the "force" with them....

 

[Gnostic]

Just wanted to point out that the fact that the Tahs players that were ignored by Supercoach Deans last year not only for the EOYT but also the June tests completely and emphatically outplayed those he selected instead. I hope he is watching.

The only real point of concern for me as things stand is the very poor general kicking options the Tahs are taking at times. Grubber kicks from inside the 22, poor box kicking from Burgess, Turner kicking everything instead of running as we all know he can. They have to be eliminated, they have a brick wall defence and compete very strongly at the ruck but why make work for yourselves.

 

[RugbyReg]

Who was ignored? Douglas?

 

[Gnostic]

Who was ignored? Douglas?

Douglas
Dennis
Mowen
Kepu
Baxter

 

[vidiot]

Douglas
Dennis
Mowen
Kepu
Baxter

Baxter we have done to death, and I for one wondered how we could pick him again just over a couple of years ago when he was whistled off the (international) park. (Edit: But then again how can you not!) Wasn't Kepu (and Baxter) injured late last season. Memory is foggy.

Of others, some have really played well this year, but at the risk of inciting a riot by defending Deans it is a little hard to pick people on next season's form.

I'll say this, those who predicted that a full off season to prepare would be good for some players (such as Douglas, I seem to remember specifically being mentioned) were pretty much on the money. Those fringe (red and otherwise) EOYT picks who had little game time and preparation have not had a great start - McCabe excepted.

 

[HodgoBerro]

I do remember Baxter had a neck/nerve injury that ruled him out of Shute shield
Kepu did have a few runs for randwick I think he pulled his hamstring in the
Semi against woodies

 

[RugbyReg]

Agree. Disregarding Baxters injury and his previous performances for the wallabies, Dennis and Kepu were on the bench for the tahs. Wasn't Mowen injured late in the season too?

 

[Gnostic]

Baxter we have done to death, and I for one wondered how we could pick him again just over a couple of years ago when he was whistled off the (international) park. (Edit: But then again how can you not!) Wasn't Kepu (and Baxter) injured late last season. Memory is foggy.

Of others, some have really played well this year, but at the risk of inciting a riot by defending Deans it is a little hard to pick people on next season's form.

I'll say this, those who predicted that a full off season to prepare would be good for some players (such as Douglas) were pretty much on the money. Those fringe (red and otherwise) EOYT picks who had little game time and preparation have not had a great start - McCabe excepted.

Three weeks ago people were talking about how players who went on the EOYT would benefit was the exposure to Wallaby training let alone those who actually played test match Rugby. The point is even last year there was argument that some of the selections did not have a solid basis in merit.

Baxter was injured (neck) about near the middle of the June tests from memory whilst playing Shute Shield so wasn't in contention for the EOYT
Mowen was available
Douglas was available
Kepu was injured in the S14 but was available for the EOYT and his Shield form was better than Alexander and Robinson.
Denis was available

 

[Gnostic]

I do remember Baxter had a neck/nerve injury that ruled him out of Shute shield
Kepu did have a few runs for randwick I think he pulled his hamstring in the
Semi against woodies

He didn't - he played the final and was part of the wider training squad for the Wallabies before tour squad was announced.

 

[Bruce Ross]

Just wanted to point out that the fact that the Tahs players that were ignored by Supercoach Deans last year not only for the EOYT but also the June tests completely and emphatically outplayed those he selected instead. I hope he is watching.

Who was ignored? Douglas?

Just to give the ants' nest a prod with a stick, on what basis was Anthony Fainga'a ever considered a better 12 than Tom Carter?

 

[BRIX]

Haha, let's not get it twisted. Carter was made to look like a clown more times than a hero in sky blue last year. Geez, Sometimes I wonder about you Bruce

 

[Brumbies Guy]

Just to give the ants' nest a prod with a stick, on what basis was Anthony Fainga'a ever considered a better 12 than Tom Carter?

His form throughtout the entire 2010 Super 14?