Going to Lang Park last night there was a feeling that something special was on. The pubs were busier, the ticket queues were longer and the punters didn’t have the same forlorn looks that have been around for the last few years.
There was a feeling of belief and that hasn’t been around for years either!
With the win over the Bulls the Reds have shown they are a genuine finals chance in a performance that mixed sparkling attack with blue collar defence. They controlled the game and never let the Bulls get into their stride.
The Reds simply played keepings off the Bulls by controlling possession with such efficiency that Bulls coach Fans Ludeke could not help but heap praise on last year’s basket case team.
“It was an expansive style but their retention was spot on, definitely one of the best continuity performances I’ve seen in a long time and they deserved the win.
“To have the ball that long and to keep it off the opposition and to keep it was something to see.”
Apart from the opening five minutes and the last ten of the game, the Bulls looked tired and listless. Even when they were pushing hard on the Reds line to try and salvage the game at the end, it was a fairly one paced effort.
The Bulls tactic of walking to every set piece and trying wherever possible to slow the game actually worked against them as they were unable to find another gear when required.
The screaming metaphor for this lack of urgency and pace was Scott Higginbotham’s try in the 28th minute when he chased down a nothing kick by Genia to score. Sure, Higgers is a goer, but to out-pace both Bulls’ centres over 70 metres is not something you would reasonably expect.
The Reds once again showed the value of lessons learned by combating the Bulls lineout/mauling game to the point where total confusion ruled the normally rock solid Bulls lineout as it fell apart and lead to the Reds second try.
As predicted the Reds lineout defence focused not so much on contesting the ball but taking out the supporters after the jump. In his post match comments Link explained.
“You only get one chance to sack the lineout so we focused on that.
“I’ve watched every Bulls lineout this year and there is no point in driving them 10 metres backwards from the lineout because they just regroup and drive 20 metres forward.
“We had them confused at times and they weren’t sure if we were going to contest in the air or try and sack them.”
Tactically the Reds were spot on again. The precision and control with which they can play the short-side, commit the opposition to the breakdown then go wide through Genia and Cooper is outstanding.
One thing that might not be obvious watching the game on TV but stands out like dogs’ balls when you are at the game is the Reds backline movement. Everyone is running from depth and at different angles which presents plenty an attacking threats.
At different times last night the Reds backs looked like world beaters. It was sort of like watching the Blues or Crusaders backlines at their peak. It was simply too much for the Bulls mid-field to handle.
But this game wasn’t won by the Reds attack, it was a win based on defence.
Right across the field the Reds repelled the Bulls and the final 10 minutes showed just how far they have come from last season’s wet-lettuce efforts.
Much is made of TPN’s outstanding defence but the way Saia Faingaa ripped in last night was just as ferocious and there is no better defensive mid-field in Australia than Will Chambers, and the other glimmer twin, Anthony Faingaa.
All this pressure allowed toreadors Genia and Cooper the run the show virtually untouched.
Apart from hanging on to some passes in tight situations, it is hard to see where the Reds will improve, but improve they must if they are to weather the Stormers this Friday.
Wallaby Watch:
Put his hand up: Quade Cooper – The contrast between his game and the other contender for the Wallaby fly-half spot in Gits was pretty clear. QC has to be first choice, bro’.
Did himself no favours: Not applicable to the Reds but what the fuck is Craig Joubert on? How come it is only Aussie ref’s that come under scrutiny for poor perfromances. The Reds won in spite of his referring – surely if a ball goes through a scrum with no-one touching it, isn’t that a re-set not a try as was awarded to Wannenburg?
Bolter watch – Will Chambers has taken some giant strides in the last few weeks. His ability to off-load in contact is something that will no doubt give Robbie a warm feeling.
