[2016 Super Rugby] Rebels vs. Reds (Round 3) 12/03/2016

[TRF_stormer2010]

So the Lions side that the Jaguares beat easily in a pre-season game was a reserve side? Because the TV didn't show that game.

Indeed, Stormers didn't look so strong against Cheetahs

Its not a good idea to count pre-season games for anything though. Sure, the Jaguares beat (and beat them well) a poor Lions side but also went down to a Stormers B side pre-season. Anyway I wouldn't call the Lions a weak team. I say that because at home they should be counted as favorites against just about any team IMO.

I also think its too early to call the Bulls weak. They are without their best player (Pollard) sure, got dominated by the Stormers round 1 and failed to get a bonus point out of round 2 but they are still a team that could/should topple anyone at home.

It probably comes down to what ones sees as being a weak team. My definition would be; a team that- even at home- you would probably expect to beat them if you are a top half of the log team; Cheetahs, Kings, Sunwolves, Rebels, Force, Reds. Yes, I don't see any of the NZ teams as being weak. None of them seem to be on song and all have weaknesses as far as I can see but none of them are easy beats, especiay at home. Due to the format a team like the Rebels will end up ahead of the bottom NZ team but that is the format and not a reflection of relative strength IMO.

 

[back2back]

I can't agree with you. Let's look at the Force, and since their inception who played for them and for an international team:

Pek Cowan
Brendan Cannon
Nathan Sharpe
Steve Mafi
David Pocock
Matt Hodgson
Ben Mccalman
Alby Matthewson
Matt Giteau
Nick Cummins
Scott Staniforth
James O'Connor
Drew Mitchell
Cameron Shepherd
Richard Brown
Scott Fava
Sam Norton-knight

These are all guys who played for the Force and international team and a lot of them were part of the first few years at the Force since their inception in 2006. I remember there was a lot of discussion when they started out that a couple of guys originally from Western Australia would just move back home and play for the Force.

Many teams aren't just thrown together and you are only looking at it from one perspective. Let's take the Cheetahs as an example. They were originally a combined team with the Lions, The Cats. Then the locals in the Free State as well as the Free State Rugby Union started to complain that they are being disadvantaged as the Lions HQ was used as the base of operations and the majority of players were Lions players. So when Super Rugby expanded, the Cheetahs got their wish to go it alone and has been improving ever since. But their biggest problem is that they don't have the finances to keep their players. If we were to make a list of all the Springboks that originally played for the Cheetahs, it would be a very long list, but most of them only played for one or two seasons before leaving for greener pastures.

That's actually an impressive list gathered over 10 years. No play-offs ever made or progression in that decade sadly and as you can see the majority of those players have moved on to another Australian franchise or Europe or just signed for the Brumbies. They couldn't retain the players because of the dominance of other franchises and it's remaining the same, not enough progress is being made to improving these unions.

 

[Jaguares]

Reds starting XV:

1. Sef Fa’agase
2. Andrew Ready
3. Greg Holmes
4. Cadeyrn Neville
5. Rob Simmons (C)
6. Hendrik Tui
7. Waita Setu
8. Jake Schatz
9. Nick Frisby
10. Jake McIntyre
11. Eto Nabuli
12. Anthony Faingaa
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Chris Feauai-Sautia
15. Karmichael Hunt

BENCH:

16. Matt Mafi
17. Ben Daley
18. Sam Talakai
19. Ben Matwijow
20. Curtis Browning
21. Scott Gale
22. Sam Greene
23. Ayumu Goromaru

That's actually an impressive list gathered over 10 years. No play-offs ever made or progression in that decade sadly and as you can see the majority of those players have moved on to another Australian franchise or Europe or just signed for the Brumbies. They couldn't retain the players because of the dominance of other franchises and it's remaining the same, not enough progress is being made to improving these unions.

Yeah but at least is a way to promote our sport in a powerful economy like Australia. Force and Rebels can get 10k per game at home. The Force even can get more, so they are good for our code.

 

[back2back]

Reds coach has been sacked 2 games in, ridiculous.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Reds coach has been sacked 2 games in, ridiculous.

Not sure if you're a troll or an idiot. Richard Graham was one of the worst coaches in Super Rugby History. The players didn't want to play for him, the public hated him. Thank god him and Jim Carmichael are gone and going. Maybe players like Digby, Quade and Genia would still be around if Carmichael hadn't voiced his opinion on them all the time.

 

[back2back]

Not sure if you're a troll or an idiot. Richard Graham was one of the worst coaches in Super Rugby History. The players didn't want to play for him, the public hated him. Thank god him and Jim Carmichael are gone and going. Maybe players like Digby, Quade and Genia would still be around if Carmichael hadn't voiced his opinion on them all the time.

Wow, calm down. Typical obnoxious Australian.

He should've been sacked prior to the start of the season, not two games in.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Wow, calm down. Typical obnoxious Australian.

He should've been sacked prior to the start of the season, not two games in.

Typical obnoxious Kiwi who thinks he knows everything. Graham could not be sacked until his main protector stepped down, he stepped down and a week later Graham is sacked. If you know nothing of Queensland Rugby Politics don't attempt to tell me how it should go down champ.

 

[back2back]

Typical obnoxious Kiwi who thinks he knows everything. Graham could not be sacked until his main protector stepped down, he stepped down and a week later Graham is sacked. If you know nothing of Queensland Rugby Politics don't attempt to tell me how it should go down champ.

Well one thing I do know is, you guys are completely crap and don't look like getting better any time soon.

Enjoy the season tough guy. It's going to be even worse than last year for you.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Well one thing I do know is, you guys are completely crap and don't look like getting better any time soon.

Enjoy the season tough guy. It's going to be even worse than last year for you.

Mate I went to every Reds home game from 2007 - 2013. Winning or losing is hardly the reason I support them. I support them for my mates that play for them. You can act all high and mighty but I've got more pride about my Reds than you could ever have for any of the Kiwi teams you support. #probablytougherthanyouanyday

 

[back2back]

Mate I went to every Reds home game from 2007 - 2013. Winning or losing is hardly the reason I support them. I support them for my mates that play for them. You can act all high and mighty but I've got more pride about my Reds than you could ever have for any of the Kiwi teams you support. #probablytougherthanyouanyday

What a heart warming story, you should submit it to 60 minutes, they might do a segment on you. :lol:

 

[TRF_heineken]

Alright. Enough.

Anymore bickering by you 2 and you'll get an infraction or get sent to the bin for a week.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Since its inauguration. The Force and Rebels were created and not given top quality players to compete with, they have to live on the scraps of other franchises, just look at same of the players they have on their roster, they are improving which is positive, but it could have been sped up with a little more effort towards them.

It's not just them, it seems to be new teams in general to Super Rugby, they just get thrown together. The Jags being the exception as they approached it correctly tying their National team to them. The Sun Wolves needed to do the same and ring in a few outsiders, Goromaru should really be playing for them, he's getting older as well and would have been a very good experienced head and leader of the team.

If you had been watching since the inauguration you'd know that when the Force came into the competition they completely decimated Queensland rugby, look at their first squad and see how many Wallabies and Reds starting players they took (Nathan Sharpe, Drew Mitchell, Digby Ioane (straight out of the Reds training squad)) I'm starting to sense you don't know all that much about Super Rugby.

 

[back2back]

Alright. Enough.

Anymore bickering by you 2 and you'll get an infraction or get sent to the bin for a week.

I'm bantering, as the sites description states what this forum is for, he's just losing his cool and being abusive, big difference.

 

[Jaguares]

This game was soooo good. I'm not sure if the Rebels are getting worse or the Reds improved but both sides shows too much in this game. Reds was so close but they couldn't win

 

[InsaneAsylum]

I think there was a clear improvement in the Reds, even if it was just in their determination. Under Graham at 16-0 down they would have probably thrown in the towel but they played with a lot of fight to come back.

I think the Rebels did well considering injuries to key players. they played a rookie at 13 and he did well considering he had to mark Samu Kerevi. can't wait until the Rebels have Stirzaker, Fuglistaller, Faingaa, Harris, Naivalu, Ellison and Hodge back. I think our best backline will be Stirzaker, Debreczeni, Hodge, Inman, Ellison, Naivalu, Harris. The Forwards are OK except I think Fuglistaller should replace Reid and McMahon and Thompson stay. McMahon is doing a great job of filling Higginbotham's shoes.