Round 5 : Reds v Force, Suncorp Stadium, 20 March 6.45
- Thread starter TSR
- Start date
PhilClinton
Geoff Shaw (53)
Force played smart footy by kicking penalties every time they were close, but didn’t really play much attack that looked like piercing the Reds and setting themselves up close to the line.
McIntyre’s criticisms from his time at the Reds remain, he’s a solid player but doesn’t create enough opportunities in attack. At least his boot has improved to make him a valuable goal kicker.
McIntyre’s criticisms from his time at the Reds remain, he’s a solid player but doesn’t create enough opportunities in attack. At least his boot has improved to make him a valuable goal kicker.
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
I only covered the Force players who impressed. Paisami was the best back on the field by some way.
PhilClinton
Geoff Shaw (53)
On a similar note but not the same track, Michael Atkinson, Channel 9 reporter/presenter is a former Reds team manager from the McKenzie era and does some great stuff on socials following the Reds around to their various junior clubs, regional trips etc. He’s also on the GEM broadcasts.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
Paisami has the Wallaby No 12 wrapped up. Don't think we'll see him at 13 any time soon.
McReight is clearly our best No 7, and should take the Wallaby 7 jersey from MH.
JOC (James O'Connor) again led the team around the park like a true champion. Maybe not a classical No 10, but a true champion in whatever position he plays. Seems to be getting better too.
LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) is a penalty magnet. Not that he seems to do the wrong thing deliberately, but just doesn't seem to have good situation awareness. Together with Jack Maddocks, these two are the biggest disappointments so far in the race for Wallaby jerseys.
Nice to see the heat from other franchise fans moving off the Brumbies and on to the Reds.
McReight is clearly our best No 7, and should take the Wallaby 7 jersey from MH.
JOC (James O'Connor) again led the team around the park like a true champion. Maybe not a classical No 10, but a true champion in whatever position he plays. Seems to be getting better too.
LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) is a penalty magnet. Not that he seems to do the wrong thing deliberately, but just doesn't seem to have good situation awareness. Together with Jack Maddocks, these two are the biggest disappointments so far in the race for Wallaby jerseys.
Nice to see the heat from other franchise fans moving off the Brumbies and on to the Reds.
also a pretty handy GPS lower grader
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
You can't have come to that conclusion based on this match BR? One of your biggest criticisms of Hooper over the years is his lack of impact around the breakdown. McReight had next to none last night.
That said i am keen to see what he can do in a Wallabies jersey too.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
Vunivalu is coming along well, he seems to be settling in really well. As his confidence improves, I reckon he will demand selection.
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
McReight wasn't particularly great last night?
That said i am keen to see what he can do in a Wallabies jersey too.
TSR
Mark Ella (57)
Look, I know stats aren’t everything, but maybe these are worth checking
https://www.espn.com.au/rugby/playerstats?gameId=593081&league=289272
https://www.espn.com.au/rugby/playerstats?gameId=593081&league=289272
Forcefield
Ken Catchpole (46)
Neither had their best games. In defence of Stander, you try defending against some of those Reds backs. I know which set I'd prefer running at me.
TSR
Mark Ella (57)
It is fine when you consider those runs are made in heavy traffic, and he regularly set up gains on the same or next phase through either creating quick, front foot ruck ball or a great offload.
Reflecting back on the last couple of pages I note you didn’t rate any of the Qld Backrow. That’s fine - it’s a forum page. Your opinion is as valid as mine is. But I think you were watching with your eyes closed, for what it’s worth. Or I just don’t know what you expect from a modern backrower.
And yes, I think you were wrong about ASY (Angus Scott-Young) too. His work in defence and at the breakdown was excellent. I’d love him to make a few more yards in his carry’s and I don’t personally have confidence his game will translate at test level, but in current form as part of the Reds backrow I wouldn’t trade him for any other 6, including Valetini.
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
Well, for example, I'd expect my number 8 to average more post contact metres than Wilson did. I don't buy the 'it was in traffic' shit. Think about how good the Reds defense was and Stander still managed 37 metres. Given Wilson is to be the next Wallaby 8 for a decade I want to see more.
Tackling lots is great too. And they defended really well. I didn't think any of them were exceptional in any of their other responsibilities, though.
I actually thought the packs were quite evenly matched. The main difference was penetration in the backs. And i think the stats support that. The Force made the Reds tackle a lot, but fuck they wern't making them hard to make. Where as the Force had to try and tackle Paisami, Petaia and Vunivalu.
Edit: and it wasn't like McIntyre was about to put anyone into any holes.
Tackling lots is great too. And they defended really well. I didn't think any of them were exceptional in any of their other responsibilities, though.
I actually thought the packs were quite evenly matched. The main difference was penetration in the backs. And i think the stats support that. The Force made the Reds tackle a lot, but fuck they wern't making them hard to make. Where as the Force had to try and tackle Paisami, Petaia and Vunivalu.
Edit: and it wasn't like McIntyre was about to put anyone into any holes.