cyRil
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http://cyrilsplace.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/red-redemption-for-cool-cooper/
Brumbies 25-31 Reds
Queensland Reds got their SupeRugby campaign back on track on Saturday evening with a rare but well-deserved win over the Brumbies in Canberra. This was the Reds first in the Australian capital since 1996 and the result, inspired by an in-form Quade Cooper, went a long way to eradicating memories of last weeks’ performance against the Waratahs.
The Reds victory piles further pressure on the Brumbies who had sacked coach Andy Friend after their loss to Super Rugby new-boys Melbourne Rebels last week; and although they won the try count 4-1, ill-discipline resulting in a raft of penalties ultimately cost the Brumbies dear.
Whereas Cooper was near-faultless with the boot, his opposite number and Wallabies team-mate Matt Giteau failed horribly time and again from the tee â€" hitting the post with one conversion from straight in front â€" serving as a key difference between the two sides.
Cooper scored 7 penalties, a conversion and a drop goal in a consummate kicking performance
It was Cooper’s kicking that got the scoreboard ticking over early in the first half. After 2 minutes, Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore went in from the side at a ruck, providing the ex-NRL man the simplest of opportunities to convert to give the Reds a 3-0 lead.
It was not only the Reds fly-half whose game had upped significantly from the previous week. The entire team looked a much more organised unit, rushing up as one in defence to snuff out Brumbies attacks, stifle their play and force mistakes, whilst also displaying an added sharpness and instinct in the backs to get the ball out wide and test the opposition defensive line.
It was this improved attacking mentality that brought the game’s first try. With a scrum on the Brumbies 22, Cooper received the ball quickly and made an incisive outside break, drawing tacklers and shipping on to wing Rod Davies, who took the ball to within 5 metres of the Brumbies line. Quick service from Will Genia from the base of the resultant ruck provided blindside Scott Higginbotham with possession and a simple opportunity to crash over from short distance for his 7th try in Super Rugby. A difficult conversion was made to look easy by Cooper, 10-0 to the Reds.
Cooper epitomised the improved attacking style of play that the Reds deployed
Despite their disciplined defence, the Reds were left kicking themselves half way through the first period when hooker Moore took a quick tap penalty to charge 10 metres unopposed and over the visitor’s line.
The Reds extended their lead once again minutes later, when Giteau was pinged on his own 22 for holding on, giving Cooper an easy chance to make it 13-7.
It was soon 16-7 as the Brumbies conceded another penalty at scrum-time; a worrying habit that has developed recently, committing penalties in their own territory or when under pressure â€" seen a week earlier against the Rebels and continued to detrimental affect with Queensland.
With 10 minutes to half-time, the impressive Pat McCabe gave the home side something to shout about, getting his side right back in the game sluicing through weak Reds defence to reach out and touch down, following patient forward play.
A further penalty and smartly-taken drop goal from Cooper built the Reds’ lead once more, and although loosehead Ben Daley was sent to cool down for 10 minutes for a high tackle on McCabe, it was the men from Queensland who were the happier, heading in at the break with a 22-15 advantage.
The reversal in the Reds’ style of play was stark when compared with how they had performed against the Waratahs 7 days previously. The forwards were fronting up well, the organisation and communcation of the team was vastly superior â€" resulting in a much improved defence, and the control and influence of half-backs Genia and Cooper allowed for more pace and width in a potent Reds back-line.
Despite this, it was the Brumbies who got off to the better start in the second forty, capitalising immediately on the extra man they had. A strong run from Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper brought play up to within inches of the Reds’ line and speedy service from fellow Australian cap Luke Burgess to Ita Vaea gave the Tongan an easy run-in for his first try in Super Rugby. Giteau missed with the resulting conversion, preserving a lead for the Reds; 22-20.
Giteau's poor kicking and game management proved costly for the Brumbies
But more poor discipline from the Brumbies coupled with aimless play from an off-form Giteau, as well as excellent place-kicking from Cooper stretched the away side’s lead once more to 31-20 with barely 10 minutes to play.
With the clock ticking down the Brumbies snatched their 4th try of the night through prop Ben Alexander to gain a bonus point, but Giteau again found the upright with his conversion, meaning the hosts still required a converted try to win the game.
Although the home side gave it their all in the dying moments to get that 5th score, their efforts were not enough and the Reds clung on for an historic win in Canberra â€" no less than their gutsy endeavours deserved.
Star Man: Quade Cooper - a majestic performance from the pivot who provided 26 of his side’s 31 points.
5-metre flop: Stephen Moore â€" a penalty machine for the home side, whose set-piece improved when he was subbed.
Brumbies 25-31 Reds
Queensland Reds got their SupeRugby campaign back on track on Saturday evening with a rare but well-deserved win over the Brumbies in Canberra. This was the Reds first in the Australian capital since 1996 and the result, inspired by an in-form Quade Cooper, went a long way to eradicating memories of last weeks’ performance against the Waratahs.
The Reds victory piles further pressure on the Brumbies who had sacked coach Andy Friend after their loss to Super Rugby new-boys Melbourne Rebels last week; and although they won the try count 4-1, ill-discipline resulting in a raft of penalties ultimately cost the Brumbies dear.
Whereas Cooper was near-faultless with the boot, his opposite number and Wallabies team-mate Matt Giteau failed horribly time and again from the tee â€" hitting the post with one conversion from straight in front â€" serving as a key difference between the two sides.
Cooper scored 7 penalties, a conversion and a drop goal in a consummate kicking performance
It was Cooper’s kicking that got the scoreboard ticking over early in the first half. After 2 minutes, Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore went in from the side at a ruck, providing the ex-NRL man the simplest of opportunities to convert to give the Reds a 3-0 lead.
It was not only the Reds fly-half whose game had upped significantly from the previous week. The entire team looked a much more organised unit, rushing up as one in defence to snuff out Brumbies attacks, stifle their play and force mistakes, whilst also displaying an added sharpness and instinct in the backs to get the ball out wide and test the opposition defensive line.
It was this improved attacking mentality that brought the game’s first try. With a scrum on the Brumbies 22, Cooper received the ball quickly and made an incisive outside break, drawing tacklers and shipping on to wing Rod Davies, who took the ball to within 5 metres of the Brumbies line. Quick service from Will Genia from the base of the resultant ruck provided blindside Scott Higginbotham with possession and a simple opportunity to crash over from short distance for his 7th try in Super Rugby. A difficult conversion was made to look easy by Cooper, 10-0 to the Reds.
Cooper epitomised the improved attacking style of play that the Reds deployed
Despite their disciplined defence, the Reds were left kicking themselves half way through the first period when hooker Moore took a quick tap penalty to charge 10 metres unopposed and over the visitor’s line.
The Reds extended their lead once again minutes later, when Giteau was pinged on his own 22 for holding on, giving Cooper an easy chance to make it 13-7.
It was soon 16-7 as the Brumbies conceded another penalty at scrum-time; a worrying habit that has developed recently, committing penalties in their own territory or when under pressure â€" seen a week earlier against the Rebels and continued to detrimental affect with Queensland.
With 10 minutes to half-time, the impressive Pat McCabe gave the home side something to shout about, getting his side right back in the game sluicing through weak Reds defence to reach out and touch down, following patient forward play.
A further penalty and smartly-taken drop goal from Cooper built the Reds’ lead once more, and although loosehead Ben Daley was sent to cool down for 10 minutes for a high tackle on McCabe, it was the men from Queensland who were the happier, heading in at the break with a 22-15 advantage.
The reversal in the Reds’ style of play was stark when compared with how they had performed against the Waratahs 7 days previously. The forwards were fronting up well, the organisation and communcation of the team was vastly superior â€" resulting in a much improved defence, and the control and influence of half-backs Genia and Cooper allowed for more pace and width in a potent Reds back-line.
Despite this, it was the Brumbies who got off to the better start in the second forty, capitalising immediately on the extra man they had. A strong run from Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper brought play up to within inches of the Reds’ line and speedy service from fellow Australian cap Luke Burgess to Ita Vaea gave the Tongan an easy run-in for his first try in Super Rugby. Giteau missed with the resulting conversion, preserving a lead for the Reds; 22-20.
Giteau's poor kicking and game management proved costly for the Brumbies
But more poor discipline from the Brumbies coupled with aimless play from an off-form Giteau, as well as excellent place-kicking from Cooper stretched the away side’s lead once more to 31-20 with barely 10 minutes to play.
With the clock ticking down the Brumbies snatched their 4th try of the night through prop Ben Alexander to gain a bonus point, but Giteau again found the upright with his conversion, meaning the hosts still required a converted try to win the game.
Although the home side gave it their all in the dying moments to get that 5th score, their efforts were not enough and the Reds clung on for an historic win in Canberra â€" no less than their gutsy endeavours deserved.
Star Man: Quade Cooper - a majestic performance from the pivot who provided 26 of his side’s 31 points.
5-metre flop: Stephen Moore â€" a penalty machine for the home side, whose set-piece improved when he was subbed.
(2) When the reds have got quick turnover ball (the best ball to attack off as the oppositions defense is not yet set) their playmaker, and most dangerous runner, is stuck 40m behind the attacking line! I've noticed a number of times in the last few Reds game when they've had quick turnover ball that could well have lead to a try if Cooper had been at first receiver....
