Super Rugby Au Rnd 4 - Brumbies V Reds Gio Stad Canberra 13Mar

[Rugbynutter39]

I'd prefer To'omua myself.

Happy to see McReight given a run at 7. Not sure he brings any more 'balance' to the backrow than Hooper. It's not like he's a lineout target.

It's exciting to have 2 or 3 players in form and pushing for each position. Long queues forming in every backline slot except maybe fullback.

Not found a suitable substitute for fullback since Folau departure. Not convinced banks the answer or more if that is best we can do for fullback is a concern...at this point accept maybe the case

 

[Zero_Cool]

I'd like to see Hodge played there for Super. But Campbell has sadly been the best fullback in the comp so far.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I think we can all agree after that the winner was RUGBY! Because this was our big advertisement to all of Australia telling them "How good is Rugby!" while the NRL had 19-6 and 24-0 sludge fests we were treated to EVERYTHING that makes Rugby great. But also the Reds .. the Reds won because JO'C has some kind of Vulcan mind meld with The Universe or God or Rugby Jesus (AKA Jonah Lomu) or something!

O'Connor seriously put on an absolute master class on how to manage a game, the clock was out by more than he was! He was telling the boys still plenty of footy to play we've just gotta play our game. Honestly, this year, right now is the perfect time to replace Hooper as Wallabies Captain. We don't know if Hooper is even in our best starting XV we've got McReight although hasn't been as blinding as he was last year he's still exceptional (or maybe we just expect him to be 'as good as Pocock' now), Tizzano has looked really impressive for the Waratahs, as well as both Stander and Lee-Warner for the Force and at least IMO Hooper just throws our back row balance out. While O'Connor is probably your first choice in multiple positions. O'Connor breaks the Hooper chain allowing you to have the ability to change captain before heading into the 2023 RWC and having an ego-less O'Connor stepping will create far fewer waves than trying to remove Hooper in the lead up to a World Cup.
Oh, and perhaps most importantly he can actually do the job of the captain very well. I'd MAYBE like to see him talk with the Ref a little more like the Kiwis would with McCaw & Read but to be fair Berry would have been having none of whatever anyone was selling he knows all the tricks because he's already tried them all as a player!

Only problem is zero cool is I look in the Sunday telegraph for the reds vs brumbies match report - zip - I look for anything on rugby - zip. Murdoch papers even less motivated to cover rugby...hmmm. As even A-league match got a mention btw...

 

[Derpus]

Only problem is zero cool is I look in the Sunday telegraph for the reds vs brumbies match report - zip - I look for anything on rugby - zip. Murdoch papers even less motivated to cover rugby.hmmm. As even A-league match got a mention btw.

Why would you read a Murdoch newspaper.......?

 

[The Nomad]

Yep nothing in the Sunday Mail here in Brisbane either.

Pages and pages on league , the full time score didn’t even make the results section.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Yep nothing in the Sunday Mail here in Brisbane either.

Pages and pages on league , the full time score didn’t even make the results section.

The fact they covered a-league results which rate lower but not rugby is a concern. We have a battle our hands to make rugby more relevant and visible to the broader public. As if you can’t even pick up the paper to get the results of games...ouch..particularly as is casual sports fans of all things sport (like me) who flick through sports section to get quick snapshot across what is happening in sports

 

[Derpus]

The fact they covered a-league results which rate lower but not rugby is a concern. We have a battle our hands to make rugby more relevant and visible to the broader public. As if you can’t even pick up the paper to get the results of games.ouch..particularly as is casual sports fans of all things sport (like me) who flick through sports section to get quick snapshot across what is happening in sports

It's not at all unexpected. They snubbed Murdoch and would have known it would mean losing what little publicity they used to get in his news outlets.

It's not the end of the world. They weren't exactly putting Rugby on the front page before the move to 9.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

It's not at all unexpected. They snubbed Murdoch and would have known it would mean losing what little publicity they used to get in his news outlets.

It's not the end of the world. They weren't exactly putting Rugby on the front page before the move to 9.

I agree but pretty obvious and churlish snub by Murdoch papers if that is what is happening

 

[Brumby Runner]

I know you’re trying to play it down the middle but to say with absolute confidence that the Brums would have won with a different front row is utterly arrogant and outrageous.

Fact is they lost, so many variables come into play. If Liam Wright our Wallaby back rower had played I have no doubt he would have been better than Valetini and Samu and the Reds would have won by 20. See what I mean?

PC, I hear what you say, but they are two completely different scenarios.

On the one hand, we have the evidence that at the 65th minute (? when the front row was replaced) the Brumbies were clearly on top, having scored four tries to one at that time. After that, they were starved of the ball, but even so scored another try through their backline (and Samu) on the rare occasion they had the ball. It is not a big call to suppose they would have continued to lead and win the game had they had a workable scrum in that last 15 minutes.

Your point about Wright is entirely hypothetical as he didn't play any part in the game. There is no evidence from the game that his presence would have altered the result. Maybe it would have, but it is all supposition while my point about the effect of the front row replacements has a certain amount of evidence to back up the supposition.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Watched a replay of the game this morning. What a cracking match that was and a terrific advertisement for the sport. Both sides played exciting fifteen man footy and there were still plenty of big shots in defence. Really, really enjoyed it and it's the kind of game that gives you hope for the future. The back row battle in particular was excellent and that was as good a performance from Pete Samu as I can remember. Hope he keeps it up.

 

[rodha]

“It was a great contest. It’d be nice to be sitting in the stands as a neutral ’cause that’s what rugby needs: 78 points, five tries to four,” McKellar said.

“A really strong rivalry is developing between us and the Reds. I know it’s always been there but between these two teams in particular. They’re playing with a really positive mindset. We went out to the same.

“I thought Nic Berry was outstanding in managing the game. His comments to the players, his decisions at key times. “So there’s a lot to like about it from a rugby point of view.”

Really admirable sportsmanship from Dan McKellar, this man just oozes class & professionalism.

To come out after a loss & give equal credit to both the ref's performance & the opposition is sure sign of a quality individual.

 

[liquor box]

“It was a great contest. It’d be nice to be sitting in the stands as a neutral ’cause that’s what rugby needs: 78 points, five tries to four,” McKellar said.

“A really strong rivalry is developing between us and the Reds. I know it’s always been there but between these two teams in particular. They’re playing with a really positive mindset. We went out to the same.

“I thought Nic Berry was outstanding in managing the game. His comments to the players, his decisions at key times. “So there’s a lot to like about it from a rugby point of view.”

Really admirable sportsmanship from Dan McKellar, this man just oozes class & professionalism.

To come out after a loss & give equal credit to both the ref's performance & the opposition is sure sign of a quality individual.

I have always preferred Reds v Brumbies over any other rivalry. It has been especially spicy over the last few seasons.

The point about the game being five tries to four is quite important, if this is the type of rugby we are wanting why is the brumbies bonus point worth the same as previous Rebels bonus points where they could not even cross the line?

I think the bonus point for a losing team should be for getting 30 points, with at least one try. It shouldn't matter if you lose 31-30 or 90-30, you have played some good football. I dont want a bonus point for losing 3-0.

 

[Adam84]

PC, I hear what you say, but they are two completely different scenarios.

On the one hand, we have the evidence that at the 65th minute (? when the front row was replaced) the Brumbies were clearly on top, having scored four tries to one at that time. After that, they were starved of the ball, but even so scored another try through their backline (and Samu) on the rare occasion they had the ball. It is not a big call to suppose they would have continued to lead and win the game had they had a workable scrum in that last 15 minutes.

Your point about Wright is entirely hypothetical as he didn't play any part in the game. There is no evidence from the game that his presence would have altered the result. Maybe it would have, but it is all supposition while my point about the effect of the front row replacements has a certain amount of evidence to back up the supposition.

can’t you just be happy a high quality game of rugby was played?

 

[Adam84]

Having rewatched the game, I thought it was an very high quality game of rugby from both the players and officials, it flowed nicely and had a variety of exciting attacking play and pressure building attack. Whilst there were mistakes, overall it was a good advertisement for the game.

Nic Berry is a very good referee IMO, he understands the game and more importantly understands his role in the game. Communicates effectively with the players and let’s sufficient advantage play out.

 

[Dan54]

It's not at all unexpected. They snubbed Murdoch and would have known it would mean losing what little publicity they used to get in his news outlets.

It's not the end of the world. They weren't exactly putting Rugby on the front page before the move to 9.

Mate it not end of world I agree, but no rugby in some press combined with the lack of it in Pubs is not very good either. I not even over there anymore but am starting to dislike the Murdoch press in Australia more every day!
The thing that concerns me is if our game only get's in some papers occassionally it just makes it harder to keep our game in front of the people we need it to be in front of in Qld will hurt the game. You know how important I believe using the press is.

 

[dru]

Having rewatched the game, I thought it was an very high quality game of rugby from both the players and officials, it flowed nicely and had a variety of exciting attacking play and pressure building attack. Whilst there were mistakes, overall it was a good advertisement for the game.

Nic Berry is a very good referee IMO, he understands the game and more importantly understands his role in the game. Communicates effectively with the players and let’s sufficient advantage play out.

Berry frustrated but not as much as many other refs. I am however finding the ruck officiating confusing. His communication is top drawer, no chance a player should not understand what he wanted.

Would have been a great game for a neutral. As a Red diehard it was tumultuous.

I want to take my hat off to Archer Holz. That was a debut no-one would ever forget. Tough assignment and fronted up gamely throughout. One to watch I think and hopefully he continues building and gaining more caps. Go well, Archer.

 

[Adam84]

Mate it not end of world I agree, but no rugby in some press combined with the lack of it in Pubs is not very good either. I not even over there anymore but am starting to dislike the Murdoch press in Australia more every day!
The thing that concerns me is if our game only get's in some papers occassionally it just makes it harder to keep our game in front of the people we need it to be in front of in Qld will hurt the game. You know how important I believe using the press is.

My question would be whether the increase in Nine coverage has offset the decline in News Corp coverage.
Rugby is now getting significantly more FTA coverage through Nine and the associated brands, which may arguably be worth more then a few articles in the courier mail

 

[dru]

I'm liking the coverage on the ABC news service. Maybe it was always there and I didn't notice, but it sure is in 2021.

 

[Derpus]

They do need to sort the pub thing out. Agree with that.

 

[Adam84]

Yeah pubs are an issue, and if we weren’t still in the covid lull of people avoiding drinking out,it would be an even bigger issue