Waratahs v Reds Match Thread

[rugbysmartarse]

back to the game,

I will be interested to see how the reds change their game to protect Quade in attack. I am sure the tahs will have watched the force loose 5 (is there a better term for the 2nd row and back 3?) disrupt the reds attacking lines and P Waugh will be licking his lips to get into that channel and play that game. The real question is Does Link see it, and what can he do to counter it?

Main concern for the tahs is that someone (should be bugess) needs to make sure they sweep behind the defensive line properly - Carter, Horne, even barnes and turner, will be sprinting out of the line so we will be open to the chip over, so someone needs to be on their game. Perhaps the solution is play Beale at a short fullback and drop back a winger as well.

Think the game will be close (as these derbys always are) but think the tahs pack has enough over the reds to seal a tight win.

 

[Blue]

The Reds should be worried because the Tahs can employ the same game plan the Force did. Only a lot better.

 

[Bruce Ross]

Main concern for the tahs is that someone (should be bugess) needs to make sure they sweep behind the defensive line properly - Carter, Horne, even barnes and turner, will be sprinting out of the line so we will be open to the chip over, so someone needs to be on their game.

My perception,rsa, is that one of the features of the Waratahs defence is the way they maintain shape and structure out wide with the backs moving up in unison. I would have thought that "sprinting out of the line" was more Anthony Fainga'a's go.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

My perception,rsa, is that one of the features of the Waratahs defence is the way they maintain shape and structure out wide with the backs moving up in unison. I would have thought that "sprinting out of the line" was more Anthony Fainga'a's go.

LOL, but even if they move up in unision there is space behind. Quade likes a chip kick, and there is potential for it to come off. I think we need to play a bit like england did against him at twicks and make sure we cover this area.

 

[Lee Grant]

If the Tahs can play the same way as they did against the Rebels it should be good enough. I'm talking about defence.

I can't remember when the Tahs defended so well: not just tackling well but, except for a few wobbles, realigning quickly, deciding when to attack rucks and when not to, being quick of thought and proactive (not ball watching) and matching that with very quick steps to meet ball runners around the ruck - or to get to a spilt ball.

Defence further out was not bad either, but it usually is when Robbie Horne is in the general area.

 

[fatprop]

Muggleton did seem to add well to the mix

 

[Gagger]

Just re-watched the game picking out some clips. Tahs D in the first 20 was outstanding and in this department, on second viewing, none was better than Mowen. He was ferocious around the ruck. Best forward on the park.

 

[barbarian]

I think the short turnaround will be a huge barrier for the Reds to overcome, which is only compounded by the fact that the conditions were so bad on Sunday. Found this on foxsports:

Temperatures soar as the Queensland Reds lose a collective 53kg at 'The Cauldron'

Skipper James Horwill and his Reds are re-energising for Saturday's interstate stoush after collectively sweating away the bodyweight of jockey Chris Munce - a staggering 53kg - in "The Cauldron".

Suncorp Stadium has never lived up to its nickname more than on Sunday when the temperature at ground level was a crazy 36C at kick-off against the Western Force.

That rugby's incredible shrinking team survived the sauna-like heat without serious a bad case of heat stress or cramp is a credit to the team's vigilant medical staff.

Flanker-lock Horwill lost 5kg-plus over the 80 minutes while the rest of the pack lost 3-4kg apiece. Lighter backs found they had shed 2.5kg-3kg a man when they hit the scales.

"The boys were in wheelie bins of ice after fulltime and James had four bottles of Gatorade to start addressing rehydration immediately," performance coach Damian Marsh said.

"The fact we had no issues with heat stress showed we handled the extreme conditions well but recovery is ongoing to get bodyweights back to normal."

The Reds got yesterday off and will not train on Thursday because of the six-day turnaround between games.

Coach Ewen McKenzie is convinced the Reds will be at 100 per cent against the Waratahs.

"They'll recharge the batteries quickly enough," he said. "For these interstate games there is always an ingrained passion and desperation that lifts as well."

The Reds have not beaten the Waratahs since 2004 but it is the greater hoodoo of not being able to win any local derby away from home that must be smashed.

They have lost their past nine clashes on the road against Australian rivals - ACT Brumbies (four), Waratahs (three) and Force (two).

"You need to win against the other Australian sides to grab that automatic entry into the finals (as top of the Australian conference) so these games are all that more important," Horwill said.

A measure of the challenge is that The Waratahs seem certain to keep Wallaby rock Benn Robinson as a bench weapon and start with Sekope Kepu at prop.

Horwill's authoritative game, the defence of Rod Davies on the wing and the spark from the bench were clear pluses to the one-point escape against the Force.

 

[fatprop]

Yeah on second viewing I was more impressed with Waugh as well, the old bastard knows all the short cuts (actually I thought the same of Braid after the Blues match).

Gags, there was one moment when Mowen was tackled very near the sideline and the Rebels were intent on smashing him across it and out.

Waugh goes right around to the sideline side and with correct body height and drive ensures that wasn't going to happen, the Tahs get another phase - positioning and lines are so important for backrowers

 

[Sully]

The Reds should be worried because the Tahs can employ the same game plan the Force did. Only a lot better.

I don't think they can. They do not have the mobility of the force backrow who are essentially 3 opensides. and a second rower who is really a 6. Besides Link would have seen what happened and will be working on a plan as we speak.

 

[Gagger]

Don't mean to belittle Waugh, but love seeing a big backrower getting into the tight. Mowen was also excellent in the lineout, and nicked at least one against the throw as well. I guess I'm getting a little excited at the idea of a Palu backup at 8 for the wobs

Mowen vs Higgers will be fascinating should it happen this weekend

 

[Richo]

I don't think they can. They do not have the mobility of the force backrow who are essentially 3 opensides. and a second rower who is really a 6. Besides Link would have seen what happened and will be working on a plan as we speak.

I agree, although the difference is not particularly significant and what Waugh lacks in mobility he makes up for in smarts. But the Tahs also defend a lot better at 9-10-12-13 which will help stifle what good ball the Reds do get out of the breakdown.

 

[TOCC]

Whilst the Reds backline is relatively settled since last year, it would be silly to dismiss the fact that this was the first game back for Anthony Fainga'a and Peter Hynes, whilst Hynes went reasonably well for his first game since last years Super 14, Fainga'a was obviously rusty and i would say that a large bulk of the breakdown in back-line moves could be attributed to him, the opportune try to JOC (James O'Connor) actually came off Fainga'a running a incorrect decoy and having the ball bounce off his shoulder.

 

[Sully]

After the first round the Tah's will have to be clear favourites here. The Reds will have to improve markedly to compete. Although the Reds, ignoring last year, have always been troubled by the Force.

 

[Jets]

I think it will be hard for the Reds this week. The Tah's looked red hot against the Rebel's last Friday night and they will benefit from the longer turn around and the game being in Sydney.

For the Reds I would like to see Holmes start at LHP with Daley on the bench as I think it will give the scrum more stability. I can't see to much else happening in terms of the line up changing. I think Quirk went well and if he holds on the the ball in contact his runs will be quite effective. Hopefully Genia can get the ball out of the ruck quicker this week as the speed of the ball had a huge effect on the Reds backline on Sunday.

On the Hooker front Fainga'a went well on Sunday considering the heat but James Hanson was great off the bench and is just building on his great form with Uni last year.

 

[Langthorne]

The Reds have been very clever - play a bit shit (but not at the expense of a win), and throw in an article about how tired they are, in order to lull the Waratahs into a false sense of security, then get them with the 'rope a dope' routine. Cunning, very cunning that Ewen McKenzie.

 

[Sully]

You have seen through his dastardly plan.

 

[I like to watch]

Sounds good but no.
No one wins a game in that fashion on purpose.
No doubt the reds were disappointed with their game last week.
It will be a different side that turns up this week for sure.

 

[fatprop]

The Tahs didn't play that great last weekend, they played smart, but they weren't very accurate for long periods, kicked early too often and they dropped a lot of ball - they will be better for the run.

 

[Hawko]

The Reds have been very clever - play a bit shit (but not at the expense of a win), and throw in an article about how tired they are, in order to lull the Waratahs into a false sense of security, then get them with the 'rope a dope' routine. Cunning, very cunning that Ewen McKenzie.

Except that, as I posted elsewhere, the look on Ewan's face near the end of the game could have frozen molten lava. He didn't plan to play that badly and to leave it that close.