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Reds 2017

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TheKing

Colin Windon (37)
Here's the transcript for Stiles' press conference.

Needed to make these changes?

- It says we’ve got depth in the squad and performances like we put out against the Force weren’t good enough.
- If we do play like that it means we’ve got to look at improving and what changes we can make.
- We’ve made some tough decision but I’m really happy with the players we’ve brought into the starting XV.

How are the replaced players feeling?

- Everyone’s a competitor, everyone wants to be playing football as well as we can.
- They’re disappointed not to be in the XV but they understand the days of 1-15 are playing the whole game out are gone.
- If we’re going to beat the Crusaders it’s going to take an 80-minute performance and it will take 23 players to do that.
- Even though they’re not starting they’ve still got an important part to play when they come in.

How will changes affect team?

- Kane Douglas is probably the biggest omission, dropping down to the bench for Izack Rodda.
- I’ve really been impressed with the work Izack has done for the past 18 months to 2 years if I’m honest.
- To get him in this position where he’s physically matured and really filled out that big frame nicely…
- You saw his performances against the Rebels and then the Sharks he’s just got that youthfulness that doesn’t care.

- He just wants to go in and bash everyone and that's something we need against the Crusaders

- Perese is a player with immense potential that was shown by his selection as a development player on the Wallabies tour without playing a minute of super Rugby.
- That shows you what some coaches in Australian Rugby think of him.
- I liked how against the Force he came on and carried the ball with absolute aggression and intent to break tackles and once again that’s going to be important when we play on Saturday night.

- Hendrik Tui, again a ball carrier.
- It’s probably tough on Adam Korczyk because I know he’s played really well but just looking at this game to get just a bit of different skill set involved from the start.
- Hendrik’s a kiwi deep down and you hope that you set him loose against the Crusaders and you hope it sparks him up as well.

Tui’s linebending valued over Kiwi’s breakdown?

- A little bit different skillsets.
- I still think Adam can carry the ball really well but just the aggression that Hendrik carries the ball with is something we need from the start of the game, hopefully the changes we make get us in to the game at the start really well, puts us in a position where we’re competing really well, and then we bring on the workmate of Adam’s towards the end of the game to clean up the breakdown, kick-chase, we’ll see how he goes.

Izack compares well to Kane?

- Similar game, I just think at the moment Izack deserved a chance.
- When you look at Kane’s resume he’s done some tremendous things in the game but I think he didn’t play that well against the Force and he didn’t put up a fight about it either.
- He’s a smart footballer and he knows he didn’t play as well.
- We’ve got some really good depth in the second row not only with Izack but having someone like Lukhan Tui in the background means it’s tough.

Overplayed their hand in attack?

- The Force game was disappointing for me that we came out and tried to go wide early against them when we knew they had a rush defence and that probably played into their hands.
- THAT was the disappointment for me, particularly in the first half.
- Whereas the Sharks definitely we tried to play a lot of football in our half and would get pinned down there a few too many times with mistakes.
- Just getting that balance is important.
- You don’t want to be shoving back down the Crusaders throats and saying, “Come and have a crack at us!” but that balance between playing too much and knowing when to kick is going to be important on Saturday.

How will you miss less tackles than in previous years?

- You’ve got to have the desire to work for each other in defence.
- Firstly, if you don’t have that it means there will be a lot of space in the defensive line and team’s like the Crusaders do such a good job at identifying space and getting the ball there.
- I really wanted to look at this side and our culture and our toughness around how hard we were prepared to work for each other.
- It’s going to be a really interesting test for us on Saturday night not only with who we’re playing but how we bounce back as a group from our first bit of adversity we had against the Force.
- It’ll really show a true test of character for us.

Is the start key to preventing a blowout?

- The Crusaders have put a lot of points on a lot of sides these past few years, particularly on us.
- How you start the game is important but you look at the game they played against the Highlanders where they held a lead at the death and you’re watching it and you know the game’s not over; they’ll keep coming at you.
- We know you need to start well but you need to finish equally well or they’ll keep coming at you.

Set-piece took a beating against the Force, and the Crusaders are one of the strongest. How will you face up to that?

- They’ve been consistent in absolutely every facet of the game for a long time.
- The set piece has been one of those areas.
- We were disappointed, especially in the second half, how the lineout went.
- We felt we put a lot of pressure on ourselves and our knowledge and execution at times dropped off, and it wasn’t from what the Force did but it was from ourselves.
- That was the most disappointing thing for the group because we’ve prided ourselves throughout the last three years on our set piece.
- We’ve gone back, had a look at a few things and made a few adjustments.
- I’m confident we’ll be much better at the set piece.

Digby’s return?

- Digby loves playing at Suncorp.
- Every Queensland fan has really strong memories of Digby running off Quade and scoring some fantastic tries.
- That was a long time ago but you just knew the Crusaders would bring Diggers in for this game, because he enjoys.
- It’s tough but Digby’s not the only one we need to concentrate on.
- They’re a pretty lethal side right across the board, so we’ll keep an eye out for him but there’s 14 other blokes as well.

He scored in one touch at the 10s?

- Yeah but there’s a lot of space in 10s isn’t there?
- He showed some really powerful signs with his ball-carries which is exactly what you expect from Digby.
- He’ll be up for it for sure.

Do you see similarities between Digby and Izaia Perese?

- I do, I really do.
- With the physicality that they both carry the ball with, there’s a lot of similarities.
- Digby’s want and his fight through contact was something that really set him apart from a lot of wingers and when you watch Izzy play, it’s exactly that.

- Izzy’s so physical and intense with everything that it really reminds you of a young Digby.
 

upthereds#!

Ken Catchpole (46)
I don't think Tui has more aggression the Adam, I just think his physiological capabilities allows him a great chance to gain advantage ball in hand.

Being able to produce more force doesn't mean you're not aggressive. Look at Sam Carter, I bet he's really aggressive, but has all the force in contact of wet tissue paper.
 

thebreakdown

Ted Fahey (11)
The changes that are being made are crucial, what changes remain if things don't work out for us?. IMO the crusaders work really well in the last 5-10 minutes, that's where it counts as we all witnessed last weeks efforts against highlanders. We need to prepare our bench for that. Their forwards are very skilful as they push those passes at the line which definitely creates momentum and hard to reload defensively. If we can attack the defence aggressively that would be great. Backs should be an even contest if Hunt, QC (Quade Cooper) are on tonight. Good luck boys


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Gnostic

Mark Ella (57)
For me the Reds are unfit, or at least unable to think and execute properly when they have hit the wall. Last week they obviously faded and this week they did not score a point or really even look like scoring in the second 40. Their defensive line got more and more ragged and their kick chase turned to shit. Their play in the first 30 minutes was very good, but they had nothing left to win the race it was tortoise and the hare stuff. Still the best 30 minutes of Rugby by any Australian side this year.
 

The torpedo

Peter Fenwicke (45)
For me the Reds are unfit, or at least unable to think and execute properly when they have hit the wall. Last week they obviously faded and this week they did not score a point or really even look like scoring in the second 40. Their defensive line got more and more ragged and their kick chase turned to shit. Their play in the first 30 minutes was very good, but they had nothing left to win the race it was tortoise and the hare stuff. Still the best 30 minutes of Rugby by any Australian side this year.

What doent make sense about this all is that Damian Marsh is the head trainer and supposedly one of the best at getting players fit
 

Scoey

Tony Shaw (54)
Agreed Torpedo, and apparently Thorn is no slouch when it comes to S&C either. Makes me think that the priority was elsewhere but from all reports, the boys got smashed in the preseason. One of the most intense in years. Something is missing.
 

Beer Baron

Phil Hardcastle (33)
Agreed Torpedo, and apparently Thorn is no slouch when it comes to S&C either. Makes me think that the priority was elsewhere but from all reports, the boys got smashed in the preseason. One of the most intense in years. Something is missing.
mental

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Scoey

Tony Shaw (54)
That's where I was going. That's going to take a long time to fix. If they don't have a sports psych on board they should have.
 
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gel

Ken Catchpole (46)
I think they are fit this year.

The shorks game showed that.

They don't know how to win is the problem.

That'll take time.
 

Brumby Runner

David Wilson (68)
Reds this year look a world better than they did the last few years. Will only get better as the youngsters get more experience.

Still a couple or three starters who aren't pulling their weight or just aren't up to it, but with Kerevi near to his best, and big improvements by the likes of Hunt, DP and Nabuli, they have the promise of a good season overall. And I do like the looks of Tuttle, Rodda, Korzyk and Perese.
 

Scoey

Tony Shaw (54)
I don't know what to make of it, a massive improvement followed by a complete fade out.. is it an improvement or another false dawn in the saga of being a Reds fan
Fair point TOCC. Last few seasons most people were willing to accept a discernible game plan, an improvement in basic skills and some positive intent as a big step up. I think a lot of us bought into the hype of the squad and the intent in round one and lifted our expectations way further than they were and way further than we should leaving us feeling a bit lost after the last two matches.
We are making big steps in the right direction, I am sure of that. Whether these steps will be enough, remains to be seen. What I can confidently say though is that I feel we are once again on an upward trajectory.
 

dru

Tim Horan (67)
Fair point TOCC. Last few seasons most people were willing to accept a discernible game plan, an improvement in basic skills and some positive intent as a big step up. I think a lot of us bought into the hype of the squad and the intent in round one and lifted our expectations way further than they were and way further than we should leaving us feeling a bit lost after the last two matches.
We are making big steps in the right direction, I am sure of that. Whether these steps will be enough, remains to be seen. What I can confidently say though is that I feel we are once again on an upward trajectory.

Yes up upward trend, and honestly it would be hard to do otherwise.

I genuinely think we need a mindset that says games like that one, at home, need to be wins. The fade was poor. Otherwise good, but it's 3 or 4 points on the log that are missing.
 

gel

Ken Catchpole (46)
^^^. Yeah @scoey that's the way I feel about it as well.

I said it in the match thread, the Reds have played a number of years of losing rugby and it will take time to overcome that mentality.

A lot of the Reds would rarely have been in a position to be well in front with a half to go (or can't remember the last time lol) and so would have little idea how to proceed. The coaching staff are also green and don't have experience to know what to do. It's all good in theory to say the words "keep doing what you've been doing", but the mindset just wouldn't be there yet.

From an Australian rugby point of view it is still very upsetting that there are so many ball watchers when breaks or opportunities present themselves. That QC (Quade Cooper) chip kick was a perfect case in point - that ball was always going to be a savage off break and the only guys to read it correctly were the two crusaders guys who were moving towards the posts. Where were the rest of the Reds working off the ball ready to pounce. Hunt was the only one running through FFS!!!!

That's the difference between Link's team and all the Aussie teams today. Circa 2011 would have steamed through and the pressure on the defenders would have told. that opportunist style was supremely effective and will take a lot to get that back.

QC (Quade Cooper) is so much better when he builds into a game. I can't think of many over the years who have been so good at reading the game as he does. I know a lot of haters will ridicule that, but seriously, watching him live he is *always* moving and there's a reason he is in the action. Watching him live he often puts himself in that position one or two phases before. It's uncanny. Wally Lewis was the same.
 

The torpedo

Peter Fenwicke (45)
QC (Quade Cooper) is so much better when he builds into a game. I can't think of many over the years who have been so good at reading the game as he does. I know a lot of haters will ridicule that, but seriously, watching him live he is *always* moving and there's a reason he is in the action. Watching him live he often puts himself in that position one or two phases before. It's uncanny. Wally Lewis was the same.
Link alwys said that QC (Quade Cooper) was the best executor of a gamepan that he had ever seen
 

RedsHappy

Tony Shaw (54)
^^^. Yeah @scoey that's the way I feel about it as well.

I said it in the match thread, the Reds have played a number of years of losing rugby and it will take time to overcome that mentality.

A lot of the Reds would rarely have been in a position to be well in front with a half to go (or can't remember the last time lol) and so would have little idea how to proceed. The coaching staff are also green and don't have experience to know what to do. It's all good in theory to say the words "keep doing what you've been doing", but the mindset just wouldn't be there yet.

gel - isn't this a bit of a myth though, with the current team we have in 2017?

Higgers, Moore, Smith, Cooper, Douglas, Simmons....etc....these guys have all been in winning teams over time that knew how to close out a game when it was realistically there for that. FFS Moore is Wallaby Captain.

Just for example and if the loss is looked at a different way, wasn't Kerevi's known deficiencies in passing L -> R just as responsible for clearly bombed opportunities that actively contributed to the loss? I mean core skills areas under pressure that must be improved if the Reds stand any chance of a Finals berth this year.

Recall too that RG left the team 12 months ago. In that idiotic dual-HC model, Stiles was still there front and centre. The RG influence since March 2016 has had plenty of time to be purged and erased surely, virtually an entire season?

And one would have thought that the QRU knew what it was doing, or more importantly the risks it was taking, when going for both an unproven HC and an 'all green' coaching support staff?
 
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