Brumbies v Reds Super Rugby round 14

[Mr Doug]

Having just read the comments posted during and post match, it's nights like this that it's better only having an audio feed through ABC Grandstand plus Fox Sports (stats and highlights) on the laptop! It gives a different perspective to having full audio plus video, and highlights the use of the whistle!!

 

[Country Kid]

Well done Reds.

Brumbies went okay. The last major Brumby attack around 71-72 minutes was a repeat of earlier pick and go by the forwards. I would have thought a field goal attempt would have been worthwhile - if only to offer something different to the forwards bashing into the well prepared Reds defence.

 

[J0HN]

No, both sides relentlessly pushed the boundaries, and generally did not heed his calls to alter that, so they were pinged. He wasn't making penalties up.

I never said he was making penalties up. Both sides seemed unsure of of what was okay and what was not and were accordingly tentative. That is a problem with either consistency or communication from the ref.

 

[cyclopath]

I never said he was making penalties up. Both sides seemed unsure of of what was okay and what was not and were accordingly tentative. That is a problem with either consistency or communication from the ref.

Sorry, I disagree. He was telling them constantly what they were doing wrong. They were trying to get away with infringing, and he wouldn't have it. Not adapting to the ref at all. He is always officious, they should all know by now. It wasn't like Bryce changing the Random Penalty Generator every 5 minutes.

 

[TOCC]

Yes especially if at that point the 10 has been back for two halves of rugby, the second of which he has barely touched the ball.

Marto's man love for Cooper is embarrassing.

What do you think is more relevant? The one or two passes that Cooper has thrown that has made Morahan look goof or Morahan's own settling into the position and ability?

I vote for the latter.

This falls into the same category of Marto calling "great kick" before the ball has even hit the ground.

That's your opinion, but you were arguing that Quade's return has had absolutely zero relevancy to Morahans improved performance.. I would suggest that Quade's long passing game and ability to give Morahan the ball with a little bit more space then previous Reds 5/8 would definitely have had a positive impact on Lukes game.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

Not the optimum result but happy for Reds to get up at the end of the day. Hope they make the most of the win and both teams get through to the finals. Thought with all the penalties it was easy to get frustrated with Walsh, but most of the calls he made were ok, both teams were really testing the boundaries early and he stood firm; had a laugh at White's pestering though (and loved some of his kicks). Mogg still kicking out on the full constantly each week, Coleman to start next game. Holmes obviously felt the pressure at the end with the kick but he'll be better for it. Real shame about Horwill too.

 

[J0HN]

Sorry, I disagree. He was telling them constantly what they were doing wrong. They were trying to get away with infringing, and he wouldn't have it. Not adapting to the ref at all. He is always officious, they should all know by now. It wasn't like Bryce changing the Random Penalty Generator every 5 minutes.

If you are right then he has a respect problem. If the players and particularly the captains won't listen to you and repeatedly infringe then there are options to make them pay attention.

I have asked myself if I would have this opinion had Holmes kicked the last penalty. The best I can answer is I think so and I hope so. Against the potential it was a disappointing game considering its potential and Walsh contributed to that.

 

[cyclopath]

If you are right then he has a respect problem. If the players and particularly the captains won't listen to you and repeatedly infringe then there are options to make them pay attention.

I have asked myself if I would have this opinion had Holmes kicked the last penalty. The best I can answer is I think so and I hope so. Against the potential it was a disappointing game considering its potential and Walsh contributed to that.

Fair enough, but by ignoring him, the players showed no respect either. It works both ways. Not to mention all the yap at him. I think he showed great forbearance to not card someone.

 

[vidiot]

Both teams set out to try and cruel the other as much as possible and to do so in the opposition half, which is perhaps the logical endpoint of where the interpretations are going this year if both sides are evenly matched at the breakdown.

Walsh was patchily pedantic rather than consistent but he was even handed. I was pleading with TV Link to sub Fainga'a S for the last 20, he was always going to give away a crucial penalty.

Good to see the vaunted Brumbies front row dominate the once again pathetic reds scrum.

I thought the reds played a smidgen more rugby, but that was an arm wrestle.

 

[cyclopath]

Both teams set out to try and cruel the other as much as possible and to do so in the opposition half, which is perhaps the logical endpoint of where the interpretations are going this year if both sides are evenly matched at the breakdown.

Walsh was patchily pedantic rather than consistent but he was even handed. I was pleading with TV Link to sub Fainga'a S for the last 20, he was always going to give away a crucial penalty.

Good to see the vaunted Brumbies front row dominate the once again pathetic reds scrum.

I thought the reds played a smidgen more rugby, but that was an arm wrestle.

I thought the scrum was where he was most lax, funnily enough. A lot of them ended pretty fractured, but they were allowed to go despite that. Reds did better than I expected, to be sure. Hard to see a clear advantage to either team.

 

[vidiot]

The brumbies certainly handled the ball better in the scrum.

 

[TOCC]

After watching last night, the Tahs definitely have the best scrum in Australia...

Also, i think the Reds line out has gone backwards the past 2 weeks, ironic that Fainga'a has been starting the past 2 weeks as well

 

[Jiggles]

I am a big fan of Palmer, but thats twice he has been dominated by the Reds. Once by Daley, who is pretty week, and Once by Holmes, who I rate as the best back up behind Robinson at LHP.

 

[TOCC]

Also full credit to the Reds defence.. thats twice in the past few weeks that they have held teams try less at the own home grounds.. Crusaders and Brumbies

 

[ChargerWA]

Just watching the game again, and Walsh while technically correct, is just a jumped up little toad.

He was condescending to both captains and a hand full of players. It is no wonder they don't respect him. They should let him have a wine before he refs, might chill him out a bit.

 

[Scott Allen]

I didn't see any problem with Walsh tonight. Both teams were pushing the boundaries (as you'd expect in such a crucial match) and Walsh could not just ignore the infringements to try and make it a more attractive game - that is not the role of the referee. Walsh enforced the laws and the coaches obviously reacted at halftime by telling their players to back off as penalties may cost theire respective teams the game.

The Assistant Referees were less impressive and missed plenty.

There is no doubt, IMO, that Fainga'a deserved to be penalised in that last ruck (and probably should have been penalised a number of times earlier). The interpretation of the law was made very clear this year - if you are in an illegal position you will be penalised, regardless of whether you can get out of the position or not. That penalty should have cost the Reds the game and they dodged a bullet with Holmes missing the kick.

It was not a pretty game - it was a typical finals game given that if the Brumbies had won, it would have virtually guaranteed a finals spot for them whilst the Reds would have been very long odds to make the finals. With the Reds winning, they are still alive but I think the Brumbies still have a slight advantage in the run home - I'm expecting the Brumbies to pick up 5 points against the Rebels next week whilst the Reds get four points for the bye so the margin would be 6 points going into the break.

 

[I like to watch]

Just watching the game again, and Walsh while technically correct, is just a jumped up little toad.

He was condescending to both captains and a hand full of players. It is no wonder they don't respect him. They should let him have a wine before he refs, might chill him out a bit.

cheap shot, call him names but leave the other shit out.
hats off to him for overcoming a huge personal problem.

 

[Brumby Jack]

The breakdown was a dog's breakfast and Walsh could have had a few penalties to choose from each time.

There was more than normal 'chatter' from both sides so I can understand why he told them to shut up early on. A lot of 'expert refs' on the field making his job harder than it already is.

The Brumbies would have been undeserving victors if they did get the win at the end. At one stage they had only 28% possession and that isn't enough to win anything.

The Reds used a similar game plan to the Brisbane game, with a few tweaks and it worked a treat. McKenzie said teams haven't respected the Brumbies and have paid the price but they didn't fall into that trap this time around.

Quade played the 80 minutes without discomfort and the stop start nature of the game allowed him to do that. He was asked at 60 mins how he felt and stayed on the field due to the limited involvement. Although I don't think that can explain his shocker in the 27th minute (cross kick out on the full)

 

[Forcefield]

Reds have a great run home. You've got a bye and you'd have to be favourites over the Rebels, Highlanders and Waratahs. Definitely 12 points in the season for you guys. Shame about Horwill.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

Just watching the game again, and Walsh while technically correct, is just a jumped up little toad.

He was condescending to both captains and a hand full of players. It is no wonder they don't respect him. They should let him have a wine before he refs, might chill him out a bit.

From a losing Brumbies supporter, I thought he did a good job.