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Super Rugby AU R3 - Reds v Force

PhilClinton

John Hipwell (52)
Changes for the Reds? Any injuries?

I think Mafi will get a start, lineout has been inconsistent the last few games with BPA, not saying Mafi has been much better but I think worth a try giving him the nod.

Now that Hergarty seems to have given up the kicking duties (except when the game is on the line) he is probably expendable at the back. CFS has earned a spot on the wing so move Campbell to fullback and swap CFS and Hegarty.
 

TSR

Mark Ella (57)
BPA’s lineout work hasn’t been great, but it’s still been better than Mafi’s for mine. I think Mafi has been terrific around the field and in scrums, but his throwing is really letting him down. I’d still be okay with the change, but I really wish they could both sort their throwing out.

I’d have CFS on the wing & Campbell at the back too, but I wonder if Hegarty is getting the nod because he is a better general play kicker and it improves our exits. I’d bring CFS in either way as he has looked really good off the bench. Maybe as good as he ever has. I really like Campbell as a fullback, but as a winger he is a bit more run of the mill.

Everyone else as is. Hopefully they can recapture some of the early season form in this game.
 

Up the Guts

Steve Williams (59)
Lineouts have been crap in NZ as well. The Highlanders were at 64% which was as low as any Australian team. I wonder if in all that time off coaches were able to do a lot of video analysis that decoded the opposition’s lineout calls.
 
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dru

Tim Horan (67)
It is when they’re not straight , that’s happening way too often .

Yep that is right.

If the call is clear. If the thrower has a feel that the jumper is on it. If the lifters are setting up where expected. If the opposing line has not obviously picked what is happening.

And yes of course a throw that is off is just a throw issue.

In training ALL of the above should be addressed. Our shite line out, over not just this season, is not a throw issue before it is a training issue.

IMHO
 

TSR

Mark Ella (57)
Agree entirely that it’s not just the throw. But the throws have been poor.

And I am concerned it is impacting Mafi - he looks increasingly dejected and he doesn’t seem to be playing as well as he was earlier in the year. Mind you, the whole team isn’t playing as well - and maybe he just has a resting sad face.
 

PhilClinton

John Hipwell (52)
I think it's fair to say that Australian selectors haven't been confident in picking a hooker since Moore retired. None of them over the last 3 years have been consistent.

I do think the analysis teams have available these days does play a factor in decoding lineouts - if you go down and watch 5th grade park footy there is a much higher rate of teams winning their own ball, and those hookers don't exactly have the ball on a string.

Regardless, I think Mafi should get a start, I agree he's looked a bit flat due to the lineout woes but he's great around the field and in the scrum, we don't lose anything and the upside is he gets some confidence back.
 

Ignoto

John Thornett (49)
if you go down and watch 5th grade park footy there is a much higher rate of teams winning their own ball, and those hookers don't exactly have the ball on a string.

I can't speak for other clubs, but when I was playing Subbies, the fast twitch fibres of our locks were lack which didn't help us get them in their air with how much mass they had cultivated after their school days.
 

PhilClinton

John Hipwell (52)
I can't speak for other clubs, but when I was playing Subbies, the fast twitch fibres of our locks were lack which didn't help us get them in their air with how much mass they had cultivated after their school days.


I know the feeling. I'm a center turned backrower, turned lock, turned prop, turned spectator. I don't think I've gotten in the air since I was 12.
 

Up the Guts

Steve Williams (59)
I’ve never seen the hooker stand ready to throw and then have to dart down to the lock and have a conference to confirm the call occur so often as it has since the resumption. I think this is rattling them and leading to some poor throws.

On that, Gardner really irks me when he blows the whistle and tells the opposition to stop yelling so the hooker can hear the call. Screaming nonsense at the hooker is one of the great traditions.
 

Purce

Jim Clark (26)
Agree with much of the above I'd like to see
2. Mafi
11. CFS
14. Daugunu
15. Campbell

Hegerty to the bench. I like hegerty but he isn't bringing anything like what Campbell was earlier in the year.

I also think we overplay Hegerty's kicking. Also I do not know why we arent using Stewart for clearing kicks? From memory he had a BIG boot however we never utilise it. Daugunu can also hoof a ball.

Between JOC (James O'Connor), Stewart, Campbell and Daugugu we really should have enough coverage in the backs and our ball in hand attacking/counter game will receive a big boost.

Hopefully JOC (James O'Connor) improves on his previous 2 games.
 

Cancelled Account

Desmond Connor (43)
^ Sensible changes. Hegarty isn’t playing to his ability atm. I would even mind a switch between Stewart and JOC (James O'Connor) or even 10. Stewart 12. Paisami 13. JOC (James O'Connor).
 

TSR

Mark Ella (57)
I know everyone isn’t wrapped in JOC (James O'Connor) at present, but I honestly don’t think he’s doing much wrong. I still don’t think 10 is his best spot but he has a good rugby head and an eye for an opportunity.

Things just aren’t clicking as much, but I don’t think they’re getting the momentum in the forwards we were earlier in the year.

I really like Stewart at 12 and I’d like to see them let him settle there. Paisami is best at 13 for me until such time as Petaia is fit & firing and wins it back.

Retain some possession for more than 2-3 phases in attack, get our lineout right and I reckon JOC (James O'Connor) will be just fine at 10.
 
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