Rd 1 SRA 2021 Queensland Reds v NSFW Waratahs

[Dismal Pillock]

Rennie is judging him as having the potential to be the best in his position in the world.

Seems pretty reasonable that if he wants to fulfil that potential he might need to slim down a bit.

Totally this. Although I have no idea why they7re expecting him to be an 80 minute player. When did Owen Franks ever play longer than 50 minutes?

If Tupou can not run out of puff for 50 minutes its gonna be a gamechanger and will be lights out for some motherfuckers.

 

[Braveheart81]

Totally this. Although I have no idea why they7re expecting him to be an 80 minute player. When did Owen Franks ever play longer than 50 minutes?

If Tupou can not run out of puff for 50 minutes its gonna be a gamechanger and will be lights out for some motherfuckers.

I don't think he needs to be an 80 minute player.

He can play a good game for 80 minutes at Super Rugby level but that doesn't necessarily mean he can play a great game with the workrate he needs to be the best in the world for 50-60 minutes at test level.

It's good to see Rennie pushing him to be the best and not being satisfied that just being consistently picked in the test side is enough.

 

[Drew]

Agreeing with above post. Front rowers never play the whole match at this level. The fact both Tupou and aaaa are equally valuable to the wallabies means Tupou had less minutes. You’d imagine he’d play 60 or so minutes for the reds.

 

[fatprop]

Seems like an odd comment about Thor, he is a proven 80 minute player after last season and they have a crack at his weight and imply that he needs to be fitter to get back into the game.

I am happy how he is, let the man eat

It was reasonable, he struggles to deliver for those 80, as like TPN learnt, to pace himself, he just wants a faster pace and more efforts ie getting off his arse faster and not heading to the blindside

I thought the interesting theme was the more footwork near contact in a number of comments

 

[PhilClinton]

Seems like an odd comment about Thor, he is a proven 80 minute player after last season and they have a crack at his weight and imply that he needs to be fitter to get back into the game.

I am happy how he is, let the man eat

Interestingly, if you speak to people within the Reds organization, both coaches and players, they both comment how fit Taniela actually is for a player of his build and position.

For me, his weight distribution is pretty much on point. I agree he faded a bit during the back end of games, but I don't know whether his weight/fitness are the problems with his workrate. He is still a young player, is prone to being hot headed and overexerting himself.

It's really comes down to what you want your players doing per their position. Tight head prop is one of the most physically exhausting positions on the field. Not only are you lugging around a 120kg+ frame, but you've got another 800kgs pushing against you every 5mins in the scrum. For Taniela to dominate that part of the game, and then also be making barn storming runs and big hits in defence, it's a lot to ask, even if he does strip another 10kgs.

 

[Braveheart81]

The Tahs will be underdogs but have, in my opinion, an underrated forward pack and a top class halves pairing. I think they are a better chance of winning than media are suggesting.

Reds are pretty heavy favourites.

I like the Tahs +9.5 though. That seems like a generous line and I expect it should be quite close.

 

[PhilClinton]

Reds are pretty heavy favourites.

I like the Tahs +9.5 though. That seems like a generous line and I expect it should be quite close.

Reds team is very unsettled. A number of guys competing for the same position in the backline, no Wright, no LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto).

I expect them to win, but I'll be taking that line bet for sure. I reckon it'll shorten up once the teams are released.

 

[Cancelled Account]

Unsettled? Competing for a position is when rugby is at its best. It’s a matter of identifying the strong hit out starters and who reads the game well to bring it home with a change of play. I think Thorn will field his strongest team for the first game. The question is, where will Petaia sit.

 

[Adam84]

I think second row is looking a little weak, and that’s probably the unsettled piece of the team, the line-out could struggle a bit with Wright out, aside from that I think they’re a relatively settled side. Not too worried about Vunivalu coming off the bench, rest of the players have played together for a couple of seasons, some much longer.

 

[Jets]

Based on his socials I think Nella is in great shape this year. He seems to have taken the feedback on the chin and has been training a lot during the break doing lots of boxing. Over the last few years he's gone home and has seemed to let himself go so it's good to see a different approach.

 

[PhilClinton]

Unsettled? Competing for a position is when rugby is at its best. It’s a matter of identifying the strong hit out starters and who reads the game well to bring it home with a change of play. I think Thorn will field his strongest team for the first game. The question is, where will Petaia sit.

I think you nailed the unsettled part with the last line of your post.

Consistency is built through combinations learning and growing together. The Reds have a wealth of options, but I don't necessarily think players will be picked in the same positions for the next few games, whilst they are finding those combinations.

The issue is, with the competition being so short, you don't have a lot of time for trial and error, so your point of identifying those strongest starters needs to happen pretty quickly.

Also RE: Adam84s post, I wonder how RA will feel about their million dollar man riding the bench. Thorn has always steered his own ship and picked the team his way, but once you put that much money on the table, RA will be looking very closely at their investment.

 

[wamberal]

Million dollar man will have plenty of chances to show his wares, just as soon as he learns how to play rugby.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

just as soon as he learns how to play rugby.

 

[Rugby Head]

The question is, where will Petaia sit.

He's got to play 13 with Paisami at 12.
The Reds/ Aus rugby must persist with that combination. They are both under 23 years old, they will be powerhouses come RWC 2023.

 

[Pfitzy]

Tupou's fitness could be measured by his discipline as the game wore on. Sometimes the aggression is poorly directed. Happens to a lot of players when the oxygen gets hard to grab, and the decisions are harder to make.

Reds by 12.

 

[fatprop]

Tupou's fitness could be measured by his discipline as the game wore on. Sometimes the aggression is poorly directed. Happens to a lot of players when the oxygen gets hard to grab, and the decisions are harder to make.

Reds by 12.

TPN, Kepu & Simmons were prime examples

 

[Pfitzy]

TPN, Kepu & Simmons were prime examples

Now, now - Simmons can give away a penalty at any level of oxygen saturation.

 

[fatprop]

Now, now - Simmons can give away a penalty at any level of oxygen saturation.

but those side entry ones happened when he was blowing

 

[Jets]

I'm keen for Petaia and Paisami in the centres. I don't see an upside of having Stewart start, he'll be great off the bench.

 

[Braveheart81]

Match Reds v Waratahs @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Date Friday 19 February
Kick-off 18:45 local
Referee Damon Murphy
AR1 Nic Berry
AR2 Jordan Way
TMO Brett Cronan