Super Rugby Round 9, 2018 - Waratahs vs Reds - Saturday 14 April @ SCG

[Brumby Runner]

I think you're trying to put the mockers on us, as every Brumby fan has tried from Super inception.

Geez, I hope you're right but the confidence level of Tahs fans I suspect is considerably lower. The Tahs don't do intense forward trench work at all well and this is what I expect from the Reds in spades! If the Waratahs show they can get on top of the Reds in the tight I will start to believe we have a slight chance against the Kiwis.

And very successfully too, I might note.

Nah. Not the mockers. Truly believe the Tahs will be too strong in most areas for the Reds. The scrum and general ruck areas might favour the Reds if they are on song, but the Tahs can score tries from anywhere so expect a big win.

 

[Zero_Cool]

And very successfully too, I might note.

Nah. Not the mockers. Truly believe the Tahs will be too strong in most areas for the Reds. The scrum and general ruck areas might favour the Reds if they are on song, but the Tahs can score tries from anywhere so expect a big win.

I actually think Tuttle might be the biggest factor for the Reds forturens in attack. If he can use his forward runners well the Reds have PLENTY of go forward and should consistently win the gain line against the much more lightweight Waratahs pack. If he tries to use his backs (almost at all, given how mobile the 'Tahs pack is) we'll be going nowhere fast.

I think this game is the Reds to win or lose, we know what we are going to get from the Waratahs -- forwards who defend in the line and backs who attack. The Reds are the ones who have the ability/capacity to determine how the game is played. If it's a forwards battle, Reds in a 15-25 brawl, otherwise 'Tahs 35-25.

 

[Scrubber2050]

The Reds really need this to be a forwards dominated game (and for 80 not 30 minutes)

As said, Simmons will be looking for a huge game. His play and running lines are well known to the Reds
so he'll be targeted early in an attempt to unsettle him.

The Tahs backline is the worry, particularly with the outstanding backs of Foley, Hooper and Beale.

Can only hope Bernard puts his kicking boots on the wrong feet

Always the optimist: Reds by 7

 

[Zero_Cool]

The Reds really need this to be a forwards dominated game (and for 80 not 30 minutes)

As said, Simmons will be looking for a huge game. His play and running lines are well known to the Reds
so he'll be targeted early in an attempt to unsettle him.

The Tahs backline is the worry, particularly with the outstanding backs of Foley, Hooper and Beale.

Can only hope Bernard puts his kicking boots on the wrong feet

Always the optimist: Reds by 7

I don't know I'm okay with him kicking well, normally that means his general play is poor.
I'd rather trust us to not give up penalties than trust us to shut down a completely firing Waratahs backline! But I feel like if the Waratahs even touch the ball we are doing it wrong.

 

[Brumby Runner]

As said, Simmons will be looking for a huge game. His play and running lines are well known to the Reds
so he'll be targeted early in an attempt to unsettle him.

Rob Simmons and running lines? Scrubber, do you mean backwards?

I'm sorry, but Rob is just about the least effective ball runner in the game. I don't think he will pose the Reds any trouble at all outside of the lineout.

 

[fatprop]

Rob Simmons and running lines? Scrubber, do you mean backwards?

I'm sorry, but Rob is just about the least effective ball runner in the game. I don't think he will pose the Reds any trouble at all outside of the lineout.

It is amazing how much that award gets passed around

 

[Brumby Jack]

Reds 23 - Tupou and Higgers injured and Ben Lucas still not right after being KO'd

1. James Slipper (C) – Bond University
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa - Sunnybank
3. Ruan Smith (run-on debut) –GPS
4. Izack Rodda – Easts
5. Kane Douglas – Norths
6. Lukhan Tui – Souths
7. Liam Wright – Easts
8. Caleb Timu – Souths
9. James Tuttle – GPS
10. Jono Lance – University of Queensland
11. Izaia Perese – Easts
12. Samu Kerevi – Souths
13. Chris Feauai-Sautia – Souths
14. Filipo Daugunu – Wests
15. Aidan Toua – Easts

16. Alex Mafi – Bond University
17. JP Smith – GPS
18. Sef Fa’agase –University of Queensland
19. Adam Korczyk – University of Queensland
20. Angus Scott-Young – University of Queensland
21. Tate McDermott – University of Queensland
22. Hamish Stewart – Bond University
23. Jordan Petaia – Wests

 

[Sully]

Reds 23 - Tupou and Higgers injured and Ben Lucas still not right after being KO'd

1. James Slipper (C) – Bond University
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa - Sunnybank
3. Ruan Smith (run-on debut) –GPS
4. Izack Rodda – Easts
5. Kane Douglas – Norths
6. Lukhan Tui – Souths
7. Liam Wright – Easts
8. Caleb Timu – Souths
9. James Tuttle – GPS
10. Jono Lance – University of Queensland
11. Izaia Perese – Easts
12. Samu Kerevi – Souths
13. Chris Feauai-Sautia – Souths
14. Filipo Daugunu – Wests
15. Aidan Toua – Easts

16. Alex Mafi – Bond University
17. JP Smith – GPS
18. Sef Fa’agase –University of Queensland
19. Adam Korczyk – University of Queensland
20. Angus Scott-Young – University of Queensland
21. Tate McDermott – University of Queensland
22. Hamish Stewart – Bond University
23. Jordan Petaia – Wests

Interesting forward pack, they've gone for size and then picked a jackal in Wright.
Good to see Perese back and plenty of people will be happy to see no Nabuli in the squad.

 

[The torpedo]

Unfortunately I don't see the Reds being able to keep up with the Tahs.

Tahs to win easily

 

[Zero_Cool]

4. Izack Rodda – Easts
5. Kane Douglas – Norths
6. Lukhan Tui – Souths
7. Liam Wright – Easts
8. Caleb Timu – Souths

Although I would have liked to see a 6/2 bench with an extra backrow/lock but without Lucas it's a bit tough.

I'm excited to see some experimenting with the lock/backrow combinations. Would like to see some more dearing options looked at in the backline.

 

[fatprop]

We are going to see one side being rather direct and the other hitting the edges

I will be interesting

 

[Braveheart81]

I will be interesting

We'll be the judge of that.

 

[dru]

No lock on the 5/3 bench.

 

[Braveheart81]

No lock on the 5/3 bench.

Means 2 out of Rodda, Douglas and Tui need to play 80 minutes.

 

[dru]

Means 2 out of Rodda, Douglas and Tui need to play 80 minutes.

Absolutely - in a game plan everyone acknowledges to be tight up the middle in the pack. Thorn's gotta be comfortable with their fitness. Is there any reason to suspect we don't have depth at lock this week?

 

[Braveheart81]

I guess he's kept the usual structure of selecting 3 locks and 4 backrowers in his 23 just that he's started all three locks and benched two backrowers.

It's a bit of a risk but agreed, he must think their fitness and health is fine and that all three of them are capable of 80 minutes.

Still no George Smith.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Interesting.

Obviously BT is not looking to have a real crack in the forwards over 80 minutes otherwise would have gone more for the standard 6:2 bench.

Personally IMO, a mistake but we'll see.

I look forward to Ruan being a monster in the scrums, yet doing a mountain of work in tight (not lazing out wide)

 

[Zero_Cool]

Means 2 out of Rodda, Douglas and Tui need to play 80 minutes.

Rodda should have no problem. Douglas has actually been pretty good even towards the end of games this season. Short of injury, I don't know you'd really want to take Rodda or Douglas off late game. Tui is a question mark but he's probably had sprints the whole 3 weeks he was out so fitness shouldn't be an issue.
Plus in a pinch ASY (Angus Scott-Young) or Korczyk would serve as a lock, same height as Hanigan who has been playing at lock -- all are listed at 6-4.

While I don't think Thorn is the type of coach to do something because the ARU/Wallabies asked, is this maybe Thorn trying to get Tui a Wallabies Jersey? Tui at 6 is a fucking scary prospect!

 

[emuarse]

Rodda should have no problem. Douglas has actually been pretty good even towards the end of games this season. Short of injury, I don't know you'd really want to take Rodda or Douglas off late game. Tui is a question mark but he's probably had sprints the whole 3 weeks he was out so fitness shouldn't be an issue.
Plus in a pinch ASY (Angus Scott-Young) or Korczyk would serve as a lock, same height as Hanigan who has been playing at lock -- all are listed at 6-4.

While I don't think Thorn is the type of coach to do something because the ARU/Wallabies asked, is this maybe Thorn trying to get Tui a Wallabies Jersey? Tui at 6 is a fucking scary prospect!

It will be interesting to see how well Liam Wright stands up to Hooper in the open flanker contest. He will definitely be fresher in that Hooper has played non-stop except for a bye.

 

[glass half full]

Interesting.

Obviously BT is not looking to have a real crack in the forwards over 80 minutes otherwise would have gone more for the standard 6:2

Maybe a 5/3 bench in case Perese’s knee gets the wobbles?