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Waratahs vs Reds - Round 1 - 2012R01

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Ash

Michael Lynagh (62)
Er, it's a prediction, not what happened last year.

Good to see that reading comprehension is just as bad on both sides of the border! :p
 
T

tranquility

Guest
I don't usually like to make these comments, but....... Reds have got this in the bag.

I just can't wait to see the more specific odds other than head to head.
 

Joe Mac

Arch Winning (36)
Too close to call. If TPN has recovered his old form then I think the Tah's have the pack to grind out a win (especially at home). On the other hand, if the Reds pack can acheive parity with the Tah's then Ioane & Genia could wreak havoc on their opposing numbers (if they are getting some clean ball) and really run away with it...
 

spectator

Bob Davidson (42)
Never comfortable coming up against the Tahs. This time last year many of us (Reds supporters) were pretty cocky going into the game but had the tails firmly between the legs post match, after the Tahs played a near perfect half of rugby in the first half and smacked the beejeezuz out of the Reds pack.
Being an early season game I am expecting there to still be a bit of rust and for the game to be won in tight. The front row clash might be the key, along with who gains ascendancy in the set piece.
 

Scoey

Tony Shaw (54)
These clashes often aren't decided by who has the better team on paper or even which team is carrying the best form leading up to the game. They are quite often ugly games that are won by the team that wins the battle of the niggle and which mob play better footy as a team. As a Reds fan, I am ALWAYS nervous before these games.

Fingers crossed for little to no injuries! It's going to be a long enough season without the usual bash fest first up! ;)
 

Ash

Michael Lynagh (62)
Welcome Scoey. Agree about being nervous, and hoping for no more injuries from either team.

I'm a bit concerned by the injuries from both sides - both teams will be down key players.

For the Reds, from the first teamers: Cooper is gone, Davies is gone, S. Finger is gone, and Higgers will be underdone and may start from the bench. So, 3 or 4 starters down, along with AWH likely gone from the bench, and his backup McDuling gone for the season. Old stager Van the roller is available and may be on the bench, but will also be underdone if needed, like Higgers.

For the Tahs, from the first teamers: Vickerman is gone, Elsom is gone, Mitchell is gone, Turner is gone. So, 4 starters down. Timani is also gone (he may have been a starter as well, which would've made it 5). A few others under an injury cloud - particularly TPN and Barnes, and I think TPN and Palu may come in a little underdone.

Cooper is irreplacable at the Reds, but his next down, Harris, has handled it OK in the trials, and looked OK in his chances last year. Morahan went well last year as a replacement for Davies, and Quirk will provide a tighter, tougher player than Higgers if he starts instead (which may actually be useful against the Tahs). This may be a bit controversial, but I think that the biggest loss will probably be S. Finger, despite not being highly rated around here - his replacement, Hanson, has had issues with his throwing in his limited chances last year, and didn't prove himself the surperior scrummager in the Super XV in those limited chances either, despite his reputation.

I'd say the Tahs are a little more hit at the moment, especially if they lose another. Really, it all comes down to the Cooper factor, or how much the Reds will cope without him.

For the Tahs, I get the feeling the sum of the differences to the replacements is just that little bit bigger than the Reds. Like the Reds in Cooper, the Tahs have lost a real game breaker in Mitchell. His replacement, BKH, hasn't set the world alight yet in the trials, and he is unlikely to fill Mitchell's large shoes. Likewise Kingston with Turner. A lot of x-factor and experience lost from those two wingers, and I think that the cumulative sum of that loss (to their replacements) is bigger than Harris replacing Cooper and Morahan (or even Shipperley) replacing Davies. Likewise, the loss of Vickerman will be felt, particularly in a battle where the Tahs will want ascendancy from their forwards. Elsom for Dennis - well, I think the Tahs will do OK out of that one - I was impressed with Dennis when he started last year, and Elsom has struggled with injury since back in Aus. Actually, for the first time in a long time I would probably say that the Reds have a little bit more depth overall in the squad than the Tahs, particularly in the backs and locks.

It's hardly ideal for either team to start missing 4 (or 3 or even 5) starters. I'm not at all happy about that situation for either team, to be blunt.
 

AngrySeahorse

Peter Sullivan (51)
I cant believe the Reds are $2.25 at the Tab for the straight out win, no margins. I may have to get on it. I agree with Ash. I have a soft spot for players that have had to slog it out extra hard to get opportunities (I love the quality of determination & persistance in a player) so for that I wish BKH nothing but the best of luck but I do agree with Ash that the losses for the Tahs look to be more damaging to them then the losses the Reds have by comparison. Not that I would rule out a Tahs win, it should be very close.

....oh yeah & I wish the comp would bloody start already!
 

AngrySeahorse

Peter Sullivan (51)
The Tahs are 1.60 because Rob Horne is fit. Not sure why people don't understand this. o_O

Good point Rob is a game breaker. I wouldnt mention Rob Horne & the word in bold in your quote or any related word to that word in bold in the same sentence though as I think it brings him bad luck. I'm a Rob Horne fan so I'm just sending nothing but good karma his way. Groovy man.
 
T

tranquility

Guest
I actually hope that Quirk starts, as he is such a good tight player and one of the best counter-ruckers in the squad. He is also a player built for these type of derby's.

An underdone Higginbum could be perfect off the bench when the game opens up a little.

Not only do I think this is a good idea, but I think this is the way Link will play it.
 

suckerforred

Chilla Wilson (44)
http://www.superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=33896

Mitchell could be out of Super Rugby until April

Drew_Mitchell15.jpg

Email Article | Print Article | Click here to Bet 10 and Get 20 in Bets |
Article Published: Sunday 19 February 2012

Wallabies and Waratahs winger Drew Mitchell could be kept out of Super Rugby possibly until as late as April due to injury.
Mitchell's injury coupled with the loss of the Waratahs other winger Lachie Turner is expected to force new Waratahs coach into playing youngsters Tom Kingston and Brackin Karauria-Henry against the Reds duo of Digby Ioane and Rod Davies.
Ioane was one of the stars of the tournament last year while Rod Davies scored a hat trick of tries in the semi-final against the Blues last year so the Waratahs youngsters can expect to have their hands full.
The duo played in the Waratahs 52-0 drubbing of Tonga on Friday last week but between them they only have 7 Super rugby caps.
Mitchell attempted to run last week on his right ankle which was dislocated last year (pictured) but struggled with the ankle and a specialist has now decided that he should wear a Moonboot for four weeks which means Kingston and Karauria-Henry could be in line for a lot of game time.
...

Interesting. I didn't think Rocket was playing this weekend????
 

p.Tah

John Thornett (49)
I just saw an ad for the Tahs vs. reds match on channel 9. Not to watch it just to buy tickets at Ticketek. I've never seen a super rugby ad on prime time free to air TV. Not bad. Hopefully it acts as a reminder and pulls a few more through the game.
 
W

What2040

Guest
Reds by 5 - Morahan at 15 under the posts in final 10 - hopefully - reckon Taps will have a blinder

Trust in a good fair game with the Tahs playing to the ethical, moralistic and legal rules of our great game - Just a bit of banter guys
 
A

AlexH

Guest
If I were a gambling man I would put money on the fact that Genia and Harris are going to put a tonne of pressure on Pretorius in defense. When you consider that Sarael missed one in every three tackle attempts last season its hard to imagine his channel will not bleed its fair share of points against the Reds. What's that I hear you say Waratahs supporters? The scintillating cover defense of Chris Alcock and Kane Douglas combined with the brutish physicality of Dean Mumm will be more than enough to make up for the defensive woes of their star halfback...? Well, I certainly can't argue with that logic!
 

tigerland12

John Thornett (49)
The more I look at the one-on-one match ups and the Waratahs injury list, the more I want to put a sneaky $100 on Queensland.

Daley vs Robinson= Robinson
Hanson vs Polota-Nau= Polota-Nau
Slipper vs Kepu= Even
Simmons vs Douglas= Simmons
Horwill vs Mumm= Horwill
Higginbotham vs Dennis= Even
Robinson vs McCutcheon= Robinson
Samo/Shatz vs Palu= Palu (if he plays to his potential)
Genia vs Pretorious= Genia
Harris vs Barnes= Barnes
Ioane vs KH= Ioane
Tapuai vs Carter= Tapuai
Fainga'a vs Horne= Horne
Shipperely vs Kingston= Shipperely
Morahan vs Ashley-Cooper= Even (given AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)'s injury).

Reds Bench vs Tahs Bench= Reds Bench
 
T

tranquility

Guest
I love the idea of Taps at 12, and Mozza at 15. I hope this becomes part of our spine.
 
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