Reds v. Crusaders, May 29th, Suncorp - 2011R15

[meatsack]

(On a much sadder note, there's not a week goes by without someone here in Brisbane telling me of a Kiwi they know who's settling in SE QLD as the recent traumas in Christchurch have tipped them to leave for these parts.)

I realise this is mostly exaggeration/joking, that said every ticket sold for a Reds home game helps the QRU. Hell I reckon most will take them on as their Aussie team and maybe even come to cheer the boys on for Aus v Aus or Aus v SA Super rugby matches.

Ezra Taylor was back in Brisbane this week and was talking up the town big time on twitter.

 

[RedsHappy]

I realise this is mostly exaggeration/joking, that said every ticket sold for a Reds home game helps the QRU. Hell I reckon most will take them on as their Aussie team and maybe even come to cheer the boys on for Aus v Aus or Aus v SA Super rugby matches.

Ezra Taylor was back in Brisbane this week and was talking up the town big time on twitter.

Just to be clear, what I said was not a joke, was not exaggerated, and is indeed awfully sad for the Kiwis who feel they must leave in this way, and for those reasons. What occurred in Christchurch was horrific, anyone coming here from there, we need to make very welcome.

 

[Jets]

.

(On a much sadder note, there's not a week goes by without someone here in Brisbane telling me of a Kiwi they know who's settling in SE QLD as the recent traumas in Christchurch have tipped them to leave for these parts.)

It is quite interesting that I had a discussion at work the other day (I work out of a rugby club) and the comment was made that of all the Kiwi players who come to the club and need player transfers that I don't think any of us have ever done a player from Canterbury. That is quite a stat considering the number of Kiwi's at the club. I can understand that people would want to leave after the devastation they have suffered but there seems to be a great culture amongst the Cantabrian community(that is reflected in their rugby team). I actually have a friend who is moving back to Christchurch after over 10 years in Oz because he feels he need to help.

 

[Scotty]

Last week I was very impressed by the tactics Link came up with to negate the dangerous runners of the Blues namely Ranger and Rocks. The fast defence and excellent kick execution denied them any front foot ball.

The Crusaders challenge will be very different especially so now Dagg is out along with Maitland and Whitelock. The Saders attack will be rejigged to what we have seen up to this point. IMO they may well focus more around their backrow linking and look for SBW and Fruen to be positioned to the wings on attack, both have the pace and power to trouble the Reds on the wings.

I actually get the feeling that the Saders will go for a more conservative style of game, with territory and forward play at the fore.

 

[Scotty]

Yeah, I would head into a Ticketek Office ASAP to try and book in a group that size. With so many tickets already sold, unless you want to end up on the top level, you'd better get moving.

Actually, another option to do it via the web would be to go in and order 8 tickets on your first go, click on the "select more tickets" option and pick another 7. If they're not together, then hit "select more tickets" again and pump 8 back in. You can get up to 10 offers so you just need 2 of them to be together.

I just tested this out for you and and currently looking at 15 consecutive seats in section 513 so it can be done. I needed to do the "Select more tickets" thing twice though with orders of 8 tix, then 7, then 8. Good luck!

Best place to buy is the ticketek at the stadium. Best way to control how you want your group to sit as the guys there really know the stadium. (eg if you have 18 people, you might want to sit in 3 rows of 6 rather than all in one row). That is the way that we do it.

 

[Scotty]

I realise this is mostly exaggeration/joking, that said every ticket sold for a Reds home game helps the QRU. Hell I reckon most will take them on as their Aussie team and maybe even come to cheer the boys on for Aus v Aus or Aus v SA Super rugby matches.

Ezra Taylor was back in Brisbane this week and was talking up the town big time on twitter.

One of my kiwi friends that regularly goes to the Reds is a Cantebury supporter. This year she bought her first Reds jersey and wears if for every game (except on sunday of course).

 

[meatsack]

Just to be clear, what I said was not a joke, was not exaggerated, and is indeed awfully sad for the Kiwis who feel they must leave in this way, and for those reasons. What occurred in Christchurch was horrific, anyone coming here from there, we need to make very welcome.

Argh, my bad, I for some reason totally skipped over the 'Christchurch' part. Made me look quite the arse.

 

[Ali's Choice]

I actually get the feeling that the Saders will go for a more conservative style of game, with territory and forward play at the fore.

I think that's exactly what the Crusaders will do. Especially with Dagg and Maitland out, SBW in doubt (he is missing this week against the Chiefs) and the best general play kicker in Australasia wearing no.10 in Dan Carter to control territory. The Crusaders backline is not the potent attacking force it was back against the Brumbies, Sharks and Bulls. It's patch-work, being down to the 3rd choice players in several positions.

 

[TOCC]

Reds are in the same boat Ali, missing a few of there starting players in the back line

 

[Ali's Choice]

Reds are in the same boat Ali, missing a few of there starting players in the back line

All teams are missing players. As a Crusaders fan I naturally focus more on their issues, but I concede that all teams are suffering to some extent and none are able to field their First Choice XV.

 

[Swarley]

This has been the most injuries I've seen in a long time:

Rebels: Gerrard, Delve, MacDonald, Frier, Lipman, Hilgendorf, Cordingley, Vuna, Weeks
Waratahs: Beale, Barnes, Polota-Nau, Fitzpatrick, Mitchell, Waugh
Force: Ripia, Pocock, Inman, Bartholomeusz, Turner, Whitakker
Reds: Hynes, Lucas, Davies, Slipper, Harris
Brumbies: Elsom, Chapman, Moore, Edmonds, Hoiles
Crusaders: Dagg, Williams, Carter, Franks, McCaw, Maitland, Whitelock x2, Ellis
Chiefs: de Malmanche, Sivivatu, Latimer, White, McGougan, Kahui
Blues: Toeava, Boric, Woodcock, Kaino, McAlister, Williams
Highlanders: Slade, Donnelly, Poki, Thomson, Mackintosh
Hurricanes: Smith, Jane, Nonu, Weepu
Stormers: Grant, Fourie, de Villiers
Bulls: Potgieter, Du Preez, Matfield, Pretorius
Sharks: Smit, Botes, Lambie, Ndungane, du Plessis
Lions: la Grange, Buys, Minnie, Strauss, Earl, van Heerdan, Killian, Murray
Cheetahs: Smith, Brussouw, Viljoen, Strauss, van der Walt

 

[BDA]

Can anyone give us an injury update on Reds players Davies, Harris and Hynes? I assume we will not see Hynes this season..? Harris i had thought he'll be returning sometime after the saders game..? Davies I haven't heard anything about.. ?

 

[MrTimms]

Davies was in a knee brace yesterday, unlikely to be seen again for the reds.
Harris could have been selected for the crusaders "if it was a final" cliche, but they will give him the extra week.
Hynes was doing some seperate work, but not sure what that means exactly, but he is at least moving around.

 

[TOCC]

Davies will apparently be back by the 'finals', i wouldn't read to much into wearing a knee brace still, but he is still a good 4 weeks off.

Hynes, yeah he may be running, but who knows what we can make of that, his confidence is what really needs to be restored.

 

[Tangawizi]

It is shaping up to get close to a sell out. This is from the Reds E-News today:

The St.George Reds get a well-earned rest this weekend before returning to Suncorp Stadium on May 29 to face Super Rugby heavyweights the Crusaders, where almost 38,000 tickets have already been sold.

The Reds are aiming to break the Australian Super Rugby attendance record – sitting at 42,237 – for the match so make sure you get in early and purchase a ticket to ensure you are part of the historic affair. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at Ticketek.

 

[Ali's Choice]

This has been the most injuries I've seen in a long time:

Rebels: Gerrard, Delve, MacDonald, Frier, Lipman, Hilgendorf, Cordingley, Vuna, Weeks
Waratahs: Beale, Barnes, Polota-Nau, Fitzpatrick, Mitchell, Waugh
Force: Ripia, Pocock, Inman, Bartholomeusz, Turner, Whitakker
Reds: Hynes, Lucas, Davies, Slipper, Harris
Brumbies: Elsom, Chapman, Moore, Edmonds, Hoiles
Crusaders: Dagg, Williams, Carter, Franks, McCaw, Maitland, Whitelock x2, Ellis
Chiefs: de Malmanche, Sivivatu, Latimer, White, McGougan, Kahui
Blues: Toeava, Boric, Woodcock, Kaino, McAlister, Williams
Highlanders: Slade, Donnelly, Poki, Thomson, Mackintosh
Hurricanes: Smith, Jane, Nonu, Weepu
Stormers: Grant, Fourie, de Villiers
Bulls: Potgieter, Du Preez, Matfield, Pretorius
Sharks: Smit, Botes, Lambie, Ndungane, du Plessis
Lions: la Grange, Buys, Minnie, Strauss, Earl, van Heerdan, Killian, Murray
Cheetahs: Smith, Brussouw, Viljoen, Strauss, van der Walt

For the Crusaders, you need to add Matt Todd (who is injured this week), Kahn Fotuali'i (longterm injury), Brad Thorn and wider squad members Tyler Bleyendaal and Tu Umaga-Marshall.

 

[Set piece magic]

With 38000 tickets sold in a week when queensland goes rugby league mad, come friday morning the courier mail is surely going to devout a shitload of coverage to the Reds. With just 12,500 tickets left for sale, they have what, 9 days to sell 12500 tickets. This is going to sell out for all money surely.

I can't wait for that atmosphere. Even the We Are Red chant won't sound gay!

 

[Sully]

Rugby coverage in the Courier? Tell him he's dreamin'

 

[Set piece magic]

Well yes I most likely am. I still get shitty when the woeful lions who have 5000 actual supporters rock up to their game get so much coverage in the paper somehow, surely the fail would realize that it doesn't rate well.

Tell you what was satisfying though, on my way home from debating at grammar this evening, saw a massive St George ad for the Reds near the top of hale street. Couldnt help but produce a huge cheesy grin.

 

[I like to watch]

Even the We Are Red chant won't sound gay!

Ummm yeah it will