cyRil
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http://cyrilsplace.wordpress.com/2011/03/21/reds-run-riot-over-rebels/
written by cyRil
Reds 53-3 Melbourne Rebels
Queensland annihilate Rebels without a cause
The Reds recorded their biggest ever Super Rugby win at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, with Melbourne Rebels the hapless lambs to the slaughter. This was the Queenslanders’ first try bonus-point of the season and victory in Brisbane takes them top of the Australian conference.
With 7 unanswered tries, the hosts flexed their muscles in a dominant display full of prominent forward play coupled with the attacking flair that made them such an attractive side to watch in last year’s Super 14.
After competitive fixtures in the win over the Brumbies and the narrow loss to the Sharks, this result brings the Rebels crashing back down to earth and gives coach Rod MacQueen plenty to think about ahead of their match with the Hurricanes in Melbourne next week.
It was the visitors who took the lead, however, as early as the 6th minute when an indifferent Danny Cipriani nudged over after the Reds were penalised for not releasing, to give the Rebels a 3-0 lead; but that was as good as it got for the nomadic outfit.
Within 2 minutes, a loose ball had been picked up by Reds stand-off Quade Cooper who shipped the ball quickly wide to Scott Higginbotham, who marauded up the tram-lines drawing two defenders before offloading inside to centre Anthony Fainga’a who applied a simple finish in the corner.
Although Cooper hit the post with the conversion he was not so profligate with his next opportunity, as he slotted a 30m penalty to extend the Reds’ lead to 8-3.
Some pedestrian play from veteran Stirling Mortlock, along with ill-discipline from the captain, and fellow centre Lachlan Mitchell provided the Reds with an even firmer foothold in the match, and the second try of the night soon came when impressive second-row cheekily reached over the ruck to score, stretching the Reds’ lead to 15-3.
From the re-start the Rebels looked to up their game and apply some pressure of their own upon the home side. Disciplined forward build-up play brought them deep into the Reds 22, and some incisive passing from fly-half Cipriani made space and put veteran prop Greg Somerville through a huge gap in the defence â€" only for the All Black to butcher a certain try, fumbling the ball with the line at his mercy.
This was seemingly the kick that the Reds needed to shrug off any complacency that may have set in, and a series of quick-fire penalties awarded the hosts’ way, coupled with strong forward play â€" epitomised by second-row Wallace-Harrison stealing ball at numerous Rebels line-outs â€" reasserted their dominance over the fixture; and a second Cooper penalty made it 18-3 in the 31st minute.
The game was up as a contest before half-time, as determined carrying from Leroy Houston saw the Reds Number 8 spin out of two tackles before offloading to fellow back-row Higginbotham who was left in acres of space to gleefully dive over for another 5-pointer. A successful Cooper conversion made the score 25-3 to the Queenslanders and gave the Rebels plenty to ponder during the interval.
With the Reds looking a much more composed and professional unit in the first 40, it was up to the newly-founded visitors to prove they were worthy opponents at this level.
However, it was much of the same as the second half started, with Reds half-backs Will Genia and Cooper pulling the strings, and the Rebels coughing up possession time and again; counting the cost of making several needless mistakes.
The rest of the game was a mere formality, with the Reds racking up another 28 points in as many minutes.
First, loosehead Ben Daley burrowed over from short range for his first career try, following a neat steal at the back of the line-out from Genia to make it 32-3, and claim a bonus-point for the Reds.
After Higginbotham was denied a second score as his quick line-out had not gone 5 metres, Kiwi replacement Mike Harris was put through a gap and did superbly to evade two tacklers and hand-off centre Afusipa Taumoepeau to touch down.
Within seconds, Harris was under the sticks once again as the New Zealander pounced on a loose ball in midfield â€" hacking through and expertly scooping the ball up to score his second try in as many minutes; Cooper adding the extras with another simple conversion, 46-3.
The Rebels missed tackle count had by now risen over 30, and it was this lax defence that was contributing to the cricket score being run up against them; and although a dominant scrum left some scraps of positivity, there will be plenty of work to do this week in training back home in Melbourne.
The rout was completed in the 78th minute with a good finish from replacement back Luke Morahan, and as Cooper had already been replaced it was left to Harris to step up and convert with an excellent kick, making the final score 53-3 and rounding off an impressive cameo for the man from North Harbour.
It was an unquestionably easy win for the Reds; their first back-to-back wins over Australian opponents since 1999 and their biggest ever SupeRugby win. They never took their foot off the gas, defended well and had forwards hungry for the ball and backs that were an ever-present threat throughout the encounter and they took all chances that were given to them.
As for the Rebels, there is little consolation. You could forgive them for not performing coherently as a team just yet as they require time to gel as a unit and learn one another’s games â€" but some of their play bordered on the idiotic, an example being Julian Huxley’s brainless attempt at a drop-goal from half-way, when it seemed an exceedingly better option to pass or run. It is apparent that the team lacks leadership â€" a level head that can unify a side, someone to turn to to gain motivation, an experienced campaigner who knows what to do and when to do it.
The Rebels are not short of these â€" with Mortlock, Somerville, even Welshman Gareth Delve all possessing heaps of experience at the top level of rugbying competition. But these first two away performances have highlighted the Rebels deficiencies â€" problems that need to be swiftly addressed if they are to be anything but whipping boys for the top teams in SupeRugby.
Star Man: Mike Harris â€" Not on for long, but 2 tries and a conversion was deserved reward for the lively utility back.
5-metre flop: Stirling Mortlock â€" Seemed tired throughout. For such an experienced player, Mortlock offered nothing in defence or attack and the team were bereft of ideas under his leadership.
written by cyRil
Reds 53-3 Melbourne Rebels
Queensland annihilate Rebels without a cause
The Reds recorded their biggest ever Super Rugby win at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, with Melbourne Rebels the hapless lambs to the slaughter. This was the Queenslanders’ first try bonus-point of the season and victory in Brisbane takes them top of the Australian conference.
With 7 unanswered tries, the hosts flexed their muscles in a dominant display full of prominent forward play coupled with the attacking flair that made them such an attractive side to watch in last year’s Super 14.
After competitive fixtures in the win over the Brumbies and the narrow loss to the Sharks, this result brings the Rebels crashing back down to earth and gives coach Rod MacQueen plenty to think about ahead of their match with the Hurricanes in Melbourne next week.
It was the visitors who took the lead, however, as early as the 6th minute when an indifferent Danny Cipriani nudged over after the Reds were penalised for not releasing, to give the Rebels a 3-0 lead; but that was as good as it got for the nomadic outfit.
Within 2 minutes, a loose ball had been picked up by Reds stand-off Quade Cooper who shipped the ball quickly wide to Scott Higginbotham, who marauded up the tram-lines drawing two defenders before offloading inside to centre Anthony Fainga’a who applied a simple finish in the corner.
Although Cooper hit the post with the conversion he was not so profligate with his next opportunity, as he slotted a 30m penalty to extend the Reds’ lead to 8-3.
Some pedestrian play from veteran Stirling Mortlock, along with ill-discipline from the captain, and fellow centre Lachlan Mitchell provided the Reds with an even firmer foothold in the match, and the second try of the night soon came when impressive second-row cheekily reached over the ruck to score, stretching the Reds’ lead to 15-3.
From the re-start the Rebels looked to up their game and apply some pressure of their own upon the home side. Disciplined forward build-up play brought them deep into the Reds 22, and some incisive passing from fly-half Cipriani made space and put veteran prop Greg Somerville through a huge gap in the defence â€" only for the All Black to butcher a certain try, fumbling the ball with the line at his mercy.
This was seemingly the kick that the Reds needed to shrug off any complacency that may have set in, and a series of quick-fire penalties awarded the hosts’ way, coupled with strong forward play â€" epitomised by second-row Wallace-Harrison stealing ball at numerous Rebels line-outs â€" reasserted their dominance over the fixture; and a second Cooper penalty made it 18-3 in the 31st minute.
The game was up as a contest before half-time, as determined carrying from Leroy Houston saw the Reds Number 8 spin out of two tackles before offloading to fellow back-row Higginbotham who was left in acres of space to gleefully dive over for another 5-pointer. A successful Cooper conversion made the score 25-3 to the Queenslanders and gave the Rebels plenty to ponder during the interval.
With the Reds looking a much more composed and professional unit in the first 40, it was up to the newly-founded visitors to prove they were worthy opponents at this level.
However, it was much of the same as the second half started, with Reds half-backs Will Genia and Cooper pulling the strings, and the Rebels coughing up possession time and again; counting the cost of making several needless mistakes.
The rest of the game was a mere formality, with the Reds racking up another 28 points in as many minutes.
First, loosehead Ben Daley burrowed over from short range for his first career try, following a neat steal at the back of the line-out from Genia to make it 32-3, and claim a bonus-point for the Reds.
After Higginbotham was denied a second score as his quick line-out had not gone 5 metres, Kiwi replacement Mike Harris was put through a gap and did superbly to evade two tacklers and hand-off centre Afusipa Taumoepeau to touch down.
Within seconds, Harris was under the sticks once again as the New Zealander pounced on a loose ball in midfield â€" hacking through and expertly scooping the ball up to score his second try in as many minutes; Cooper adding the extras with another simple conversion, 46-3.
The Rebels missed tackle count had by now risen over 30, and it was this lax defence that was contributing to the cricket score being run up against them; and although a dominant scrum left some scraps of positivity, there will be plenty of work to do this week in training back home in Melbourne.
The rout was completed in the 78th minute with a good finish from replacement back Luke Morahan, and as Cooper had already been replaced it was left to Harris to step up and convert with an excellent kick, making the final score 53-3 and rounding off an impressive cameo for the man from North Harbour.
It was an unquestionably easy win for the Reds; their first back-to-back wins over Australian opponents since 1999 and their biggest ever SupeRugby win. They never took their foot off the gas, defended well and had forwards hungry for the ball and backs that were an ever-present threat throughout the encounter and they took all chances that were given to them.
As for the Rebels, there is little consolation. You could forgive them for not performing coherently as a team just yet as they require time to gel as a unit and learn one another’s games â€" but some of their play bordered on the idiotic, an example being Julian Huxley’s brainless attempt at a drop-goal from half-way, when it seemed an exceedingly better option to pass or run. It is apparent that the team lacks leadership â€" a level head that can unify a side, someone to turn to to gain motivation, an experienced campaigner who knows what to do and when to do it.
The Rebels are not short of these â€" with Mortlock, Somerville, even Welshman Gareth Delve all possessing heaps of experience at the top level of rugbying competition. But these first two away performances have highlighted the Rebels deficiencies â€" problems that need to be swiftly addressed if they are to be anything but whipping boys for the top teams in SupeRugby.
Star Man: Mike Harris â€" Not on for long, but 2 tries and a conversion was deserved reward for the lively utility back.
5-metre flop: Stirling Mortlock â€" Seemed tired throughout. For such an experienced player, Mortlock offered nothing in defence or attack and the team were bereft of ideas under his leadership.
