So, let’s review what happened last week :
- The Reds played better than they had all season and still didn’t come away with a win, but in good news they didn’t lose either. It was their discipline that let the side down in the end, with it being some how appropriate that it was a penalty after an extended defensive effort that allowed the Blues to equal the scores after the fulltime hooter.
- In a replay of one of the 2015 Super Rugby semi-finals the Higlanders visited Tah territory and again came away with the win despite a valiant comeback by the home side in the second half. One of the main talking points of the game was the absolute demolition of the Waratahs pack a scrum time. Something that warms the cockles of any Reds fan’s heart and I am sure the Reds coaching staff have taken note and are crafting the appropriate game plans.
The big news for the Tahs is the return of Bernard Foley after injuring a shoulder in a pre-season trial. His return to the 10 Jersey has caused a little reshuffle in the backs with Beale moving into inside centre forcing Horwitz back to the bench. Reece Robinson makes his first start by swapping with Matt Carraro for one of the speedster spots. In the forwards, Will Skelton is out of the 23 with Dennis moving into lock to make way for Jack Dempsey in the blindside flankers role. Jed Holloway is rewarded for some good performances with the starting 8 gig and Benn Robinson returns from injury via the bench.
For the Reds, Liam ‘F’ Gill is straight into the starting side! (Praise be the Lord and who ever’s healing hands have been laid upon his back.) This is the only change to the starting line up with James Slipper and Saia Fainga’a returning to the ranks on the bench. It is great to see the coaches showing some confidence in the team that has shown steady improvement over the last few games.
Key Match-ups
The Scrum
I know. I always start here. But in this game we can’t get aware from it. It is here that the Reds have the chance to win the game and the Tahs have the chance to lose it.
Let’s face it, the Waratahs have not been providing the best example of scrummaging over the first 4 rounds of the season and it would not be a stretch to say that their best week was round 3 when they were enjoying the bye. It remains to be seen if the changes that Coach Gibson has made will significantly improve the performance that their fans have had to suffer in the last few weeks.
On the Red side of equation, I can see the default position for the at penalty time will be “Scrum Sir”. With only the one change to the eight (and that is not a bad one), you will expect that the Tah’s pack is going to be in for another long long afternoon at the office. I hate to say it, but do not be surprised if the game again descends into uncontested scrums. My worry is that any ascendancy the Reds find in the scrum will be lost in the lineout as there seems to be a few cracks appearing in what used to be an impenetrable force.
The Kickers
Anyone who watched either the Tahs or the Reds last week will realise that kicking has not been the strong point of either of the teams.
With Bernard Foley returning to the Tah’s starting lineup they may have found a solution. If he has packed his kicking boots poor discipline by the Reds could have them in a world of hurt on the score board.
I am just hoping that the staff at Ballymore have found a fix for Jake’s second half cramps and that he has spent some time becoming one with the tee.
Prediction
Well. I tipped the Reds. Then I changed it to the Tahs. Then I thought that another draw might be on the cards. Then I saw the teams.
Reds – By a penalty try. (But I wouldn’t put your house on it.)
[one_half last=”no”]
QLD Reds
1. Sef Fa’agase
2. Andrew Ready
3. Greg Holmes
4. Cadeyrn Neville
5. Rob Simmons (C)
6. Hendrik Tui
7. Liam Gill
8. Jake Schatz
9. Nick Frisby
10. Jake McIntyre
11. Eto Nabuli
12. Anthony Fainga’a
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Chris Feauai-Sautia
15. Karmichael Hunt
Replacements
16. Saia Fainga’a
17. James Slipper
18. Sam Talakai
19. Ben Matwijow
20. Curtis Browning
21. Scott Gale
22. Sam Greene
23. Ayumu Goromaru.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
NSW Waratahs
1. Paddy Ryan
2. Tolu Latu
3. Angus Ta’avao
4. Dean Mumm
5. David Dennis
6. Jack Dempsey
7. Michael Hooper (C)
8. Jed Holloway
9. Nick Phipps
10. Bernard Foley
11. Zac Guildford
12. Kurtley Beale
13. Rob Horne
14. Reece Robinson
15. Israel Folau
Replacements
16. Hugh Roach
17. Benn Robinson
18. Tom Robertson
19. Sam Lousi
20. Wycliff Palu
21. Matt Lucas
22. David Horwitz
23. Matt Carraro
[/one_half]
