Reds 2013

[tranquility]

I won't dispute this. I just think that Tapuai is a better option at 13 than Fainga'a, and both are good 12's.

Fair.

Out of interest, who would you suggest they replace in that 22?

I too think Lance and CFS are Super Rugby players, but it is hard to see where they fit into that starting 15.

CFS will eventually just force his way in. Be it at 11, 13, 14 or even 15. Everyone in the backline will be looking over their shoulder.

 

[wamberal]

Out of interest, who would you suggest they replace in that 22?

I too think Lance and CFS are Super Rugby players, but it is hard to see where they fit into that starting 15.

I would have Lance at 15, and CFS on Shipperley's wing. But, then again, it all depends on pre-season form, the opponents, weather and pitch conditions, etc etc.

 

[East Coast Aces]

It's amazing how little CFS is known outside this forum. If he was a broncos up and comer there would be an article about him in the Courier Mail every week this pre season.

Im guessing this is due equally to Ewen McKenzie protecting him from the overhype and the Courier Mail being a league paper.

 

[emuarse]

I don't think Super Rugby are playing 23 man squads emuarse.

Happy to be proved wrong.

Thanks for that info - Owen out then

 

[Ruggo]

Ant is the type of player who can turn defence into attack. This is the type of opportunity the Reds will lap up.

Who replaces Higgers is still what intrigues me most. I wouldn't mind betting that the combo of Beau and Gill will be used a lot on a horses for courses basis. Might be a good option for the Brumbies in round one.

I have a gut feeling that Simmons is really going to shine this year.

 

[something]

whatever happened to Sam Lane?

 

[p.Tah]

whatever happened to Sam Lane?

EPS at the Tahs

 

[Jets]

Robinson, Quirk, Samo and Browning offer a few options at 6. Also they can play Schatz there and Samo at 8. Butler could also be an option and Murday and Ah Wong are in the Reds College, these guys would be long shots though.

As long as it's not Horwill I think there are plenty of options. Someone just has to grab the opportunity when it presents itself and make the position their own.

 

[Lindommer]

The G&GR pundits on the Reds' and Brumbies' threads have Slipper at 3 and Alexander at 1, respectively. Are the Reds strong at LHP and the Brumbies at THP resulting in these two tyros being required to shore up the weaker side? Being a former back I know bugger all about the dark arts of the front row, but I can count from 1 to 3 and I'm totally confused where they should play. Can a former front-rower here please enlighten us what side of the scrum these two blokes would be best placed.

 

[TSR]

Alexander has always played predominantly LH for ACT & likewise Slipper predominantly THP for QLD - although Slipper does play both sides. From memory I don't think Alexander had played THP before he was picked there for the Wallabies, but I might be wrong in that.

I think in both cases it is more about both sides having better options on the other side. Palmer is arguably the best THP in Australia and plays 3 for the Brumbies. Holmes plays LHP for the Reds.

IMO Brumbies are definitely best served with Alexander in the 1.

For Slippers development I would actually like to see him left on one side. I'm comfortable with that being 3. Alot of others seem against it, but I just think he needs seem time in the one spot. But the reality is that with a 7 man bench 1 prop has to be able to play both sides (and without that versatility it is arguable whether he would have as many test caps as he has).

 

[It is what it is]

The G&GR pundits on the Reds' and Brumbies' threads have Slipper at 3 and Alexander at 1, respectively. Are the Reds strong at LHP and the Brumbies at THP resulting in these two tyros being required to shore up the weaker side? Being a former back I know bugger all about the dark arts of the front row, but I can count from 1 to 3 and I'm totally confused where they should play. Can a former front-rower here please enlighten us what side of the scrum these two blokes would be best placed.

I think both are best suited to LHP.

 

[Jets]

I think Slipper will play 1 for the Reds and Holmes at 3. Daley only plays 1 so the other two have to be versatile.

 

[wamberal]

All props who are good enough to play Super Rugby should be able to handle both sides, albeit they might be a lot better at one than the other, but they should be adequate on their weaker side.

 

[Ruggo]

I think the respective Super rugby side have them in the right position but the Wallabies play them arse about.

I think it is a bit pathetic that SANZAR have not adopted the 8 man bench system.

 

[TOCC]

All the teams had finalised their squads before the new rule was introduced, teams will need greater depth in the front row when this rule is brought in..

 

[Scott Allen]

All props who are good enough to play Super Rugby should be able to handle both sides, albeit they might be a lot better at one than the other, but they should be adequate on their weaker side.

Playing both sides is one thing - being good at it is another. The timing and techniques are vastly different, particularly if you have to change sides during a match.

At club level, props are the hardest position to fill so those that can play both sides are gold. At Super level, given the limitation on squad size those who can play both sides are useful but only for coverage - preferable that starting props are playing on their specialist side but due to 22 man squad the bench player must be a dual side player. At international level the starters must be specialists and with the 23 man squad two other specialists on the bench.

Are you suggesting that a prop like Benn Robinson should be able to play tighthead? I don't see it.

 

[MrTimms]

For Slippers development I would actually like to see him left on one side. I'm comfortable with that being 3.

It's an interesting point you make, and I'm not picking on you, but if you ask Slipper, he sees himself as a loosehead and wants to play there. Obviously he plays 3 to either fit into or do whats best for the team, depending on your view, but if that's where he sees himself, it would suck to be pigeon holed into a position you don't really want to play.

 

[emuarse]

It's an interesting point you make, and I'm not picking on you, but if you ask Slipper, he sees himself as a loosehead and wants to play there. Obviously he plays 3 to either fit into or do whats best for the team, depending on your view, but if that's where he sees himself, it would suck to be pigeon holed into a position you don't really want to play.

I remember at the start of a rugby season, my new coach said he was moving me from winger to second row (after a growth spurt when I was about 19/20).
I flatly refused and said I'd leave the club rather than be pidgeon holed into playing lock.
Guess what? I played lock from that day on... all be it, a fairly fast one.

 

[Scoey]

I remember at the start of a rugby season, my new coach said he was moving me from winger to second row (after a growth spurt when I was about 19/20).
I flatly refused and said I'd leave the club rather than be pidgeon holed into playing lock.
Guess what? I played lock from that day on. all be it, a fairly fast one.

I (properly) discovered Rugby quite late - ie post growth spurt. At 2m tall I turned up to my new club for a run at training and was pigeon-holed before I'd even spoken to anyone. I always wanted to play 8 (or 6) but apart from the very odd cameo at 8 played almost exclusively at lock and loved every bit of it.

 

[Scott Allen]

I (properly) discovered Rugby quite late - ie post growth spurt. At 2m tall I turned up to my new club for a run at training and was pigeon-holed before I'd even spoken to anyone. I always wanted to play 8 (or 6) but apart from the very odd cameo at 8 played almost exclusively at lock and loved every bit of it.

Scoey - at 2m tall, you were never a chance at anything but lock.

A tall bloke walks into any club and he doesn't need to talk to anyone - they are already talking about him "who's the big bloke?" "wonder if he can play" "gees, we need some tall timber in the second row" etc. etc.