Chiefs v Reds. Hamilton.

[RugbyReg]

So Rod Davies is out and Hynes is likely.

Interesting that in the QLD A game today, v NSW A, the QLDers reshuffled their backline pre-kick off with Lucas moving to 9, Walsh starting at 10 and Richard Kingi playing fullback, with Aiden Toua moving to wing.

I wonder if this points to Kingi being the preferred option this weekend?

 

[tranquility]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

that was just for the second half i believe nod.

You would have to think that Toua is the front runner for the fullback position.

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

you're right mate, Read the report wrong. the reshuffle happened in the 2nd half.

Yes, I'd like to see Aiden there.

Anything to avoid Tim Walsh on the pitch.

 

[Juan Cote]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

Morahan is the ready made replacement for Hynes

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

So something like:

15 Luke Morahan
14 Digby Ioane
13 Morgan Turinui
12 Anthony Fainga'a
11 Will Chambers
10 Quade Cooper
9 Will Genia
8 Leroy Houston
7 Daniel Braid
6 Jake Schatz
5 Van Humphries
4 Adam Byrnes
3 Laurie Weeks
2 Saia Fainga'a
1 Ben Daley

16 Sean Hardman
17 Greg Holmes
18 Rob Simmons
19 Scott Higginbottham
20 Richard Kingi
21 Ben Lucas
22 Aiden Toua

Wouldn't mind Ezra Taylor on the bench, possibly for Simmons.

 

[TOCC]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

yeah i agree there noddy, ezra on the bench would bring a bit more physicality and maturity later in the game..
then again, depends how much Link values his lineout, what would happen if byrnes or humphries get injured, ezra can jump but it would still weaken our lineout.

 

[tranquility]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

I would rather see Chambers/Tirinui (spelling?) on the bench with Morahan at 14. and Toua at 15.

Morahan is not a fullback and Toua is a specialist.

By not selecting Toua you are saying you would prefer a non-specialist.

Remember we must be careful with the handling of these young players given the potential poaching from the Rebels organisation.

 

[Langthorne]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

I agree with putting Turinui on the bench. I would prefer Ioane at 13 - where he played brilliantly last season.

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

if we're chucking rookies out the back (Toua/Chambers/Morahan) we need Morgan at 13 to organise. Especially against the Chiefs.

 

[Sully]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

Agreed Noddy A new Wing and possible Fullback we don't need a new centre and a another winger as well. Besides I can't find much wrong with Morgans game. Granted he is no Tom Carter but who is.

 

[Scotty]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

Wouldn't mind Ezra Taylor on the bench, possibly for Simmons.

He is too similar for Higginbotham for mine. If you are starting Leroy, then only one of Higgers or Taylor should be on the bench.

I think we will see Higginbotham starting again though, with Leroy on the bench.

Agree also that we don't need to change our centre combination if we are forced to change wing and fullback. Morgan is going fine at the moment.

 

[David]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

Agree also that we don't need to change our centre combination if we are forced to change wing and fullback. Morgan is going fine at the moment.

Agreed, I think where possible you want to make as the least number of changes, Morahan to FB if Hynes is out which from what I hear is more then likely and maybe bring Chambers onto the wing, and brando onto the bench, he's hands were crappy last year but at least he can defend which Davies can't.

 

[tranquility]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

If Brando gets selected over Toua, we deserve to lose him to he rebels. Plus Morahan can't kick for territory.

Playing Chambers off the bench still looks like the best option at this stage of his development. However I think that when he comes on - he should come on as a 13. He has immense potential in that position.

 

[Blue]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

16 Sean Hardman
17 Greg Holmes
18 Rob Simmons
19 Scott Higginbottham
20 Richard Kingi
21 Ben Lucas
22 Aiden Toua

Wouldn't mind Ezra Taylor on the bench, possibly for Simmons.

You sure you want to drop Hangontoyourbottom to the bench when he took half your lineout ball? He dropped everything else thrown at him but seems good come lineout time.

 

[chief]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

Deadset, I think Quirk making an appearance would surely add some abrasiveness to the breakdown. Unsure if he can jump though. Can someone confirm?

 

[tranquility]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

Quirk is an excellent lineout jumper. However he didn't play for the QLD 2's on the weekend - assume he was on 7s duty?


On a side note.



Just has a look at the Reds draw - it probably as fortuitous as it could be.

We get the weaker SA teams on the Road (Chee, Sharks, Lions) and the strong ones at home (Stormers, Bulls)

We get the rabble at home (Force). Plus the worst from the NZ (Highlanders)

And we only have two Mordors for the whole season. Canes at the caketin and Brumbies at Raider park.

Bring on the finals! haha

 

[chief]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

Bring on the finals! haha

Maybe a single digits finish but finals is now out of the question.

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

QR Reds reserve flyhalf Tim Walsh has been sidelined for the next 4-5 weeks with a broken hand, joining wing Rod Davies on the Reds’ confirmed casualty list from a bruising weekend of rugby.

The Reds are also awaiting news on fullback Peter Hynes (dislocated finger) and reserve scrumhalf Richard Kingi (hamstring strain) before deciding on who will fly out for New Zealand early Wednesday morning for Friday’s Round 4 Investec Bank Super 14 match against the front-running Chiefs in Hamilton.

Davies (fractured cheekbone) clashed heads with team-mate Daniel Braid at Ballymore on Saturday night in the 27-18 loss to the Blues, while Walsh picked up his injury playing for the QAS Reds 2nd XV against the Junior Waratahs at Ballymore yesterday (Sunday).

Hynes came off against the Blues at the same time as Davies after battling on despite injuring his hand early in the match, while Kingi picked up his injury in Sunday’s 18-14 loss.

“Peter Hynes we won’t know about until tomorrow so we’ll just have to wait and see on that, and it’s the same story with Richard Kingi,” said QR Reds Head Coach Ewen McKenzie.

“We’ll make a call on those two closer to the time, but we are developing depth in our squad and we’ll cover it ok if we have to.”

“We’re lucky to have Ben Lucas (scrumhalf/flyhalf) available to us again after injury (calf), while we have experienced wingers like Brando Va’aulu, Blair Connor and young Wallaby tourist Luke Morahan keen to get an opportunity.”

McKenzie said the injury to Walsh was particularly bad luck for the 30-year old, who had fought his way into the Reds from the Wider Training Squad with some impressive pre-season performances.

“Walshy showed his experience and professionalism early in the season and came off the bench for us twice in our first three competition games, so it’s particularly bad luck for him to get injured now. Rod Davies is also unlucky, after working so hard to make the squad, but injuries are an unfortunate fact of life in this competition and they and we have to deal with it.”

Walsh, who first played for the Reds in 2004, returned home to Brisbane this year after a lengthy stint overseas and interstate, and impressed with his performances in the pre-season trials. He is awaiting confirmation on whether his injury will require surgery.

in the nicest possible way.....good.

 

[Lindommer]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

Ok, Ok, which one of you buggers kissed a Chinaman? C'mon, own up, who was it?

It had to be one of you to have such bad luck. :'( :'( :'(

 

[Langthorne]

Re: Reds v Chiefs

Agree also that we don't need to change our centre combination if we are forced to change wing and fullback. Morgan is going fine at the moment.

Agreed, I think where possible you want to make as the least number of changes, Morahan to FB if Hynes is out which from what I hear is more then likely and maybe bring Chambers onto the wing, and brando onto the bench, he's hands were crappy last year but at least he can defend which Davies can't.

I think that tends to apply more when a team is winning.

I'm not saying Turinui hasn't done OK. His defence has been very good, but he isn't the attacking threat Ioane would be. Maybe considering the possibility of inexperienced players coming in, his experience will be more important than his pace.

Ioane at 13 was for me one of the highlights of the Reds last season, and I would love to see him tearing open defences in the same way this season.

It is only week 3, so although it will be a big challenge, it isn't impossible for the Reds to make the finals.