Chiefs vs Reds R9 Sat Apr 13th

[USARugger]

In Samo's defense we've just been really fortunate to (for the most part) avoid any injuries in our back-row. He's an extremely talented player and has great utility in that he can comfortably play 6/8 and Lock. Great line out man and fantastic in the loose, although I can't speak for his scrummaging because I honestly don't know. I'd really like to see him retire with the Reds and I don't think there's any good reason to drop him right now. We have some talented loosies coming up the ranks but it's looking like their transition to regular starting positions will pretty much coincide with the timing of Radike's retirement anyway. That is, if Radike ever does retire!

 

[BDA]

This win is reminiscent of the game v Stormers at Newlands in 2011. In 2011 that win was really the catalyst for the title tilt. I'm backing the Reds to take top spot next week and barring injuries (touch wood) we are looking like a team bound for the finals.

The best thing about this victory (besides beating the Kiwis) was seeing us play the type of rugby that won us the title in 2011, but has really alluded us until now. 80 minute rugby, playing with precision and flair. Scoring plenty of tries and winning the breakdown battle.

Nice to think we have Ioane, S Fainga'a, Morahan, Samo, Lucas, Robinson and Harris all waiting in the wings.

 

[USARugger]

Stomers/Sharks game is up but Reds game still isn't and this happens literally every week. I've probably watched the highlights about 20 times. I'm actually going to lose my mind if I don't see this match today.

 

[Scrubber2050]

What a great game of football - entertaining - games like that bring the fans
Cooper impressed - not perfect but is really taking responsibility and directing the game.
Genia was terrific - back to best as was Horwill
The tight 5 were on their game. Slipper was immense. Simmo very good.
Was sceptical about Rocket being picked - Shit I was wrong - the guy made metres every time/
Hanson should be No. 2 behind Moore
The NZ commentators are so much better at calling a game than our blokes.
Really looking forward to the game against the Brums

 

[mjw]

Here's my review and forget what Barbarian thinks, I gave Quade the G&GR MOM

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/reds-scalp-the-chiefs/

Scott, do you have any opinion on why Australian sides are having so much success against NZ sides so far this season? I guess it is way too early to think this may the season we bring back Bledisloe.

 

[Juan Cote]

Scott, do you have any opinion on why Australian sides are having so much success against NZ sides so far this season? I guess it is way too early to think this may the season we bring back Bledisloe.

Given the side that has been the most successful against NZ teams in the last few seasons only has 6 players the current Wallaby coach seems interested in, then yes, you'd have to think it is too early.

 

[Penguin]

What a great game of football - entertaining - games like that bring the fans
Cooper impressed - not perfect but is really taking responsibility and directing the game.
Genia was terrific - back to best as was Horwill
The tight 5 were on their game. Slipper was immense. Simmo very good.
Was sceptical about Rocket being picked - Shit I was wrong - the guy made metres every time/
Hanson should be No. 2 behind Moore
The NZ commentators are so much better at calling a game than our blokes.
Really looking forward to the game against the Brums

Agree, I really like listening to the Kiwi commentary teams, they llike to give credit where it is due & generally know what the hell they're talking about & seeing.

 

[Sully]

Scott, do you have any opinion on why Australian sides are having so much success against NZ sides so far this season? I guess it is way too early to think this may the season we bring back Bledisloe.

Would it be too hypercritical to suggest that NZ has a weaker conference giving some teams an easy hand up with a automatic 4 or 5 points against other conference teams.

 

[RedsHappy]

I would think Davies' critics have some grounds for what has been said about him. His speed and finishing are in no doubt, but he has hardly been the complete package consistently. This was his best game for the past 2 seasons. Good on him. I hope he builds on it.

As I expressed considerable concerns re Davies in this match, it'd be gutless if I didn't recognise and applaud his tries and a less nerve-racked return to the Reds starting side than I would have anticipated. Good on you Rocket, a commendable return to the Reds.

Trying to be objective, his intercept was his real highlight; they can take more skill and excellent timing than is often recognised. The rest was largely 'right place, right time' as you'd expect of any competent S15 winger. His pace was not much needed in this two tries, how ironic! His defence in general was, well, 'not great'.

Looking at the game highlights, I do think one indirect element that may have worked in his favour is that I didn't see the Chiefs marking him too intensely. I speculate, but I gained the impression they may well have considered him 'in the lower risk category' in terms of their defensive positioning, which would not be totally odd given Davies' recent playing history (or rather the lack of it).

 

[RedsHappy]

Agree, I really like listening to the Kiwi commentary teams, they llike to give credit where it is due & generally know what the hell they're talking about & seeing.

Well said, and unquestionably, even if I considered it an impossible feat after 2012's efforts, our FoxSports comms in 2013 have lowered their standards even further: the childish, unprofessional cheerleading and boosterisms for Aus teams (often when wholly undeserved), the unabashed individual Aus team biases, unintelligent ref bashing, endless use of an embarrassingly small number of repeated tired cliches with no meaning or value-add or even accuracy in relation to what is being observed, more than occasionally not knowing the game's laws and worse pretending to with pretentious confidence, often getting non-Aus players mixed up and/or pronouncing their names wrongly.......and so on.

I absolutely cringe when I think of what SA and NZ audiences must think when they have to endure our Fox tribe commentating on games with their teams participating.

 

[Dan54]

Would it be too hypercritical to suggest that NZ has a weaker conference giving some teams an easy hand up with a automatic 4 or 5 points against other conference teams.

Yep and so will lead to Wallabies easily beating ABs this year Scully

 

[Scotty]

Yep and so will lead to Wallabies easily beating ABs this year Scully

I assume you know what Sully was really pointing out with his statement?

 

[liquor box]

Well said, and unquestionably, and even if considered it an impossible feat after 2012's efforts, our FoxSports comms in 2013 have lowered their standards even further: the childish, unprofessional cheerleading and boosterisms for Aus teams (often when wholly undeserved), the unabashed individual Aus team biases, unintelligent ref bashing, endless use of an embarrassingly small number of repeated tired cliches with no meaning or value-add or even accuracy in relation to what is being observed, more than occasionally not knowing the game's laws and worse pretending to with pretentious confidence, often getting non-Aus players mixed up and/or pronouncing their names wrongly...and so on.

I absolutely cringe when I think of what SA and NZ audiences must think when they have to endure our Fox tribe commentating on games with their teams participating.

I wonder if it would be a good idea to have a kiwi and south african on the Foxsport payroll to even out the broadcast, a bit like the cricket on the radio, even if they were just a sideline commentator. There has to be some Australian based kiwis or south africans that could fill this role. I would love an ex referee to be on the panel as well.

or you could just employ people to comment on what is occuring in front of them in a non biased way.

 

[liquor box]

As I expressed considerable concerns re Davies in this match, it'd be gutless if I didn't recognise and applaud his tries and a less nerve-racked return to the Reds starting side than I would have anticipated. Good on you Rocket, a commendable return to the Reds.

Trying to be objective, his intercept was his real highlight; they can take more skill and excellent timing than is often recognised. The rest was largely 'right place, right time' as you'd expect of any competent S15 winger. His pace was not much needed in this two tries, how ironic! His defence in general was, well, 'not great'.

Looking at the game highlights, I do think one indirect element that may have worked in his favour is that I didn't see the Chiefs marking him too intensely. I speculate, but I gained the impression they may well have considered him 'in the lower risk category' in terms of their defensive positioning, which would not be totally odd given Davies' recent playing history (or rather the lack of it).

Should have had a hat trick if not for a woeful pass in the first half

 

[Dan54]

I assume you know what Sully was really pointing out with his statement?

Yep Scotty, I was only keeping it all light.

 

[terry j]

I wonder if it would be a good idea to have a kiwi and south african on the Foxsport payroll to even out the broadcast, a bit like the cricket on the radio,

Might not work as well as with the cricket tho (but I do take your point)

Who can forget the 'chili segment' with hasha bogle (sp?) and kerry o keefe recently, man I piss myself laughing even thinking of it.

Not quite the time in rugby for beauties of that nature.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Fixed

 

[terry j]

haha, thanks hugh

man, that slow handclap from the crowd (who must have been listening) is a classic.

Still cacking from listening again.

Funny how evocative things can be, was transported 'back' to when I first heard it. Scent is another that can magically transport you to another time and place.

Still, an exchange like that is strictly limited to cricket.

Back on topic, I agree that getting an external input could work wonders in a broadcast.

 

[emuarse]

Quade had a good night. The stats easily show this. There are plenty of stats that you can use to demonstrate this point but the key stay is the Qwerty Comment-o-meter. The hardest Quade marker of all time had nothing on him tonight! ;-)

Go you REDS!!!

I believe he has arthritis in his index finger.
It is a recurring problem which flares up whenever QC (Quade Cooper) plays well.The diagnosis at present is not encouraging.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

^^^ Sometimes silence is a very loud statement.