Rebels vs. Waratahs - 2011R01
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Spewn
Alex Ross (28)
Yes. Well said Reg. Cyclo should stop it.
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
the question begs, why are there qld fans in here at all?
Well, Reg, Since I quoted Sully, and directly responded to and quoted Spewn, I thought I was directing it to them.
But as you wish...
Spewn
Alex Ross (28)
Well done, Cyclo. It feels better doesn't it, admitting you were at fault.
If I were you, I would quit while you think you're ahead.
B
Bradley
Guest
Go away Spewn and Rugbyreg; you are both negative bastards about the Tahs. Let's see what happens next weekend. I'm really looking forward to the Reds getting spanked and QC (Quade Cooper) beating his record of missed tackles!
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
Classic
Wow how insecure are you lot! Imagine what could happen if a bloke actually tried to stir you up. All I was trying to point out is that it looked to me to be exactly the same game plan and style that you got hammered for last year. Suddenly all you want to talk about is how useless the reds are.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
I thought the Tahs were quite impressive last night. The pack fronted up well, consistently got over the gain line and provided some good ball for the backs. The scrum was a mess for most of the game, unfortunately, but the Tahs got on top by the end. The Rebels fought pretty hard in the first half, but struggled to compete in the second and the previous comments about a lack of organisation are pretty right I think. They'll get better I'm sure.
The Tahs attack was quite sharp and their defence very solid, so something to build on from the looks of it. They ought to be there or there abouts by the end and if they aren't they will have underachieved.
The Tahs attack was quite sharp and their defence very solid, so something to build on from the looks of it. They ought to be there or there abouts by the end and if they aren't they will have underachieved.
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
I agree that the game plan is very similar to last year. Why change it, it has got to the finals plenty of times. What had to change was the application of players if they were going to remain with that plan. That is what has indeed happened, the strength and dynamism of the forwards has been greatly enhanced IMO by the off season conditioning work. Look at Mowen, still dominated the lineout and had a much greater effect on the rucks and with ball in hand. Is there another No8 in the competition that can steal a lineout ball like Mowen and as regularly? Spies perhaps?
I called for Hickey's head all last year and the year before that simply because the game plan was unworkable with the players and the way they played it. The plan required strengths the Tahs just didn't have. Hence they should have been playing to a different plan. The Semi final loss was all too predictable because of these weaknesses. Like I've said before at least the Tahs looked back at last season and said we have to try something different and went down the path of bulking up and improving in the strength and condition department to make their semi-successful game plan work.
I called for Hickey's head all last year and the year before that simply because the game plan was unworkable with the players and the way they played it. The plan required strengths the Tahs just didn't have. Hence they should have been playing to a different plan. The Semi final loss was all too predictable because of these weaknesses. Like I've said before at least the Tahs looked back at last season and said we have to try something different and went down the path of bulking up and improving in the strength and condition department to make their semi-successful game plan work.
N
Newter
Guest
Mowen was very, very average. He has no leg drive, no power through the hips, and likes to pull up a bit just before contact. He doesn't like getting tackled. The guy is a second rower masquerading as an 8. His defence is workmanlike but nothing special, nothing dominant.
Gareth Delve outplayed him by miles. That guy knows how to wrestle his way forward.
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
Better go and watch the game again Newter. Mowen held off the defender to offload to Waugh a few times, their combination is very good. His pace catches defenders out time and again. Have a look at the first Tahs try his offload to Waugh sets up the try for Mitchell.
Scarfman
Knitter of the Scarf
Tah fans and others - we have to agree that the ambition for the Tahs is winning SuperRugby. We have come 2nd and 3rd and 4th enough times. The bar (for me) is set at 1st and that's what I'm judging them on. It's harsh, but it's time.
We have the piggies to get us there. I doubt that they're the best pack in the comp, but we should be the equals of most. We have the back 3 to get us there - probably the best in the comp. But I do see problems at 9-10-12. In fact, I reckon the biggest problem is 10. I reckon a good first phase ball would be to skip Barnes completely and to give it to Carter as flat as possible (AND IN FRONT OF HIM, AND AT CHEST HEIGHT). Move the ball forward for a couple of phases before getting Barnes to make a run / kick decision.
At the moment, the 9-10 channel is killing our go-forward. Great defenders, both of them, but is it enough to win the comp? fatprop's theory is that the game plan was to not attack the Rebels' strong defenders at 12-13. We'll see. If Burgess starts throwing quick passes in front of Barnes, who runs onto it, then I'll become a believer.
We have the piggies to get us there. I doubt that they're the best pack in the comp, but we should be the equals of most. We have the back 3 to get us there - probably the best in the comp. But I do see problems at 9-10-12. In fact, I reckon the biggest problem is 10. I reckon a good first phase ball would be to skip Barnes completely and to give it to Carter as flat as possible (AND IN FRONT OF HIM, AND AT CHEST HEIGHT). Move the ball forward for a couple of phases before getting Barnes to make a run / kick decision.
At the moment, the 9-10 channel is killing our go-forward. Great defenders, both of them, but is it enough to win the comp? fatprop's theory is that the game plan was to not attack the Rebels' strong defenders at 12-13. We'll see. If Burgess starts throwing quick passes in front of Barnes, who runs onto it, then I'll become a believer.
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
Why pass straight to Carter Scarfie? That is dead ball there straight up. It will be slow ruck ball and the pigs will have to work hard to get from the ruck there in to help TC. Better to go there only when the other runners such as TPN, Kepu and Mowen/Palu are tied up or with quick second phase ball to keep the pressure on the gain line. I must say that as a non-Carter fan I thought he played very well. I like Burgess at 9 and he is clearly the 2nd best 9 in the country (judging Genia on last year's form) but he is a far better defender than Genia and as good a sniping runner. The only place Genia is better is with the passing.
I thought the speed with which Burgess cleared the ruck last night was 100% better than last year. Half the credit for that however has to be the platform the pigs gave him.
IMO the biggest issue for the Tahs will be any injuries to Horne or Barnes. That are not readily replaceable with similar quality players.
I thought the speed with which Burgess cleared the ruck last night was 100% better than last year. Half the credit for that however has to be the platform the pigs gave him.
IMO the biggest issue for the Tahs will be any injuries to Horne or Barnes. That are not readily replaceable with similar quality players.
The Tahs played great rugby last night.
If you remember rightly, they started out last season still playing 2009 rugby - a lot of aerial ping pong. Yes, that was boring.
As the season wore on though the message settled in and they largely played a much faster paced game - for example how they destroyed the Canes.
Seems to me that the Tahs picked up where they left off in pre-season and have built on it - the credo being super fast recycle, or even avoiding the recycle. I believe I saw Dennis pop the ball from the ground 3 times last night and the interplay was excellent between the forwards at times.
Yes, there were a few handling errors in those situations, but they did an excellent job of playing that sort of tight handling game through contact in round 1. Very little rustiness really.
As for the scrum, in the first half I found it hard to figure out whether the Tahs were hinging or the Rebs were slanting down in the hit, but the way the Tahs dominated when the height of the scrum was held makes me think the latter.
If you remember rightly, they started out last season still playing 2009 rugby - a lot of aerial ping pong. Yes, that was boring.
As the season wore on though the message settled in and they largely played a much faster paced game - for example how they destroyed the Canes.
Seems to me that the Tahs picked up where they left off in pre-season and have built on it - the credo being super fast recycle, or even avoiding the recycle. I believe I saw Dennis pop the ball from the ground 3 times last night and the interplay was excellent between the forwards at times.
Yes, there were a few handling errors in those situations, but they did an excellent job of playing that sort of tight handling game through contact in round 1. Very little rustiness really.
As for the scrum, in the first half I found it hard to figure out whether the Tahs were hinging or the Rebs were slanting down in the hit, but the way the Tahs dominated when the height of the scrum was held makes me think the latter.
spectator
Bob Davidson (42)
I think the Tah's are in for a good season but the Rebels were a pretty disappointing opposition, for reasons already well covered by other posters. Was really hoping they could get on the board but that just didn't look like happening. Forwards look solid enough in general play but the set play was a bit wanting, and there just seemed to be no spark in the backline. I see Vuna and Hilgendorf are out for next week, so things won't get easier. Who slots in at 12?
As for the Tahs, that forward pack will cause plenty of headaches in coming weeks, and they have a very balanced backline. The back three are as good as any going around and will score plenty tries. Deserve to be one of the favourites.
As for the Tahs, that forward pack will cause plenty of headaches in coming weeks, and they have a very balanced backline. The back three are as good as any going around and will score plenty tries. Deserve to be one of the favourites.
As others have said, it is as conservative as the Crusaders and Bulls, just not as well executed.
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