Super 15 Play Off SF: Reds - Blues @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (02-07-2011,10:40 GMT)

[Hulk Hogan]

Any word on Radike Samo?
Didn't seem to be getting any treatment when he went off, but I think the commentators mentioned it was an injury sub

He had a head knock and had heavy blurred vision in one eye, he is fine and will play next week.

 

[T-Rex]

Most exciting game I've been to all year, was by far the highlight of the year for me, I was talking to Luke McAlister after the game and he said after he came back on he tried so hard to change the way the game was going but everytime he got the ball there was always two people in front of him. He said it was one of the most intense games he had ever played.

As someone who goes to most Chiefs games, I'd have to agree, that was by far the most exciting game I've been to this year. One of the best I've been to altogether I'd say. Can't wait for next Saturday.

 

[Darwin]

Wow, Quade Cooper ripped up. That being said, some of the Blues defense was shocking. Munro and Brett can't tackle to save their lives. Think Davies is in with a shot for Wallabies starting wing spot?

I agree on Munro and Brett; I can't understand how anyone could possibly think Munro should start on the wing at Super Rugby level. I'm not yet convinced about Davies; he does look dangerous, but he seems very injury prone. If he had played a whole season of Super Rugby I think he may be a genuine contender for the Aussie RWC squad, but I'm not sure he's played enough this season to force his way in.

Congrats to the Reds, they certainly deserved to make it too the final. There defence was very impressive; though the Blues attack was very lateral throughout the game, they really needed someone to straighten the attack.

Faingaa played well at hooker, and Daley had a big work-rate around the field. It was surprise to see the Reds lineout struggle at times, as I thought it would have been the Blues lineout that would have been in trouble. Beau Robinson had a good game at 7, but I thought young Liam Gill made a huge impact when he came on. He must have forced 2-3 clean turnovers in the 20-odd mins he was on, and was unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty on several other occasions. Despite only having just turned 19 he is as good anyone in world rugby at the breakdown; it is going to be a huge battle between him at David Pocock for the Aussie 7 jersey in the coming years. Genia controlled the game well, and Cooper was his brilliant best at times, often punishing the Blues for their aimless kicking. Ioane was reasonably quiet, with Rod Davies stealing most of the lime-light.

Afoa had a strong game for the Blues, as did Ali Williams at lock. Chris Lowrey was probably the standout Blues forward, despite being out of position at lock. Not only did he do well in the lineout, but he was strong around the field, and was rewarded with a good try. Luke Braid and Kaino both had very quiet games by their standards, but I thought Daniel Braid made a bit of an impact when he came on. The Blues backline as a whole was pretty disappointing this match. Mathewson was solid (before he was strangely taken off early), Brett was Brett (not a good thing), Stanley broke a few tackles but strangely missed a few himself, McAlister was quiet (though missed a few tackles), while Munro's contribution to the match was a missed tackle and an intercept pass (both which resulted in Reds trys). Rokocoko tried hard, he broke a few tackles but couldn't make any clean linebreaks. Payne probably had his worst game of the year; he broke a couple of tackles, but he made a couple of very uncharacteristic mistakes (the chip kick inside his 22 that lead to a try, and the dropped ball with the try line begging). The best Blues back was Rene Ranger (once he came on). He was brilliant with the ball in hand, breaking tackles almost at will. As I mentioned before the game, I thought it was big a mistake that he wasn't starting

 

[FlukeArtist]

Blues were awful

Not taking anything away from the Reds, but could the Blues have played a more stupid game plan?? I doubt it.

McAlistair has no heart- glad to see the back of him to be honest.

There should be some blood-letting at the Blues HQ after this season.
The results have flattered to decieve, and they stunk out Suncrop on saturday night

The Blues are like Origami.... they fold under pressure

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Blues were awful

Not taking anything away from the Reds, but could the Blues have played a more stupid game plan?? I doubt it.

McAlistair has no heart- glad to see the back of him to be honest.

There should be some blood-letting at the Blues HQ after this season.
The results have flattered to decieve, and they stunk out Suncrop on saturday night

The Blues are like Origami.... they fold under pressure

I'm not sure if Guy Shepherdson got on the field but he's like a door, slightest bit of pressure and he folds over himself..... I seriously have shirts that are harder to fold than him.... He's a terrible scrummager.

 

[Sam Owen]

Absolutely gutted.

Rod Davies is a fantastic finisher, but lets not forget Jarred Payne rushed up on him and missed the tackle. Take nothing away from Davies though, hes been a storm brewing and its just those injuries that has set him back.

I thought Pat shouldve started Ranger but went for a kicking winger???...because after all that is Munros strength. Good player is Munro just NOT a winger IMO.

Smylie made a good dash when he came on but I cant help thinkin if that was Alby mightve been a try, plus Alby was looking good before he was suprisingly subbed.

Im going for the Reds to win the final, that way we can say we lost to the best team. Besides, Crusaders already won heaps of ***les. GO REDS!!!

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Munro is a joke... He looked like he got shot with a gun when Cooper palmed him off.....

 

[markshaw]

Munro is a joke... He looked like he got shot with a gun when Cooper palmed him off.....

Bro tell me about it. Show us one moment this season where Lachie Munro has created something special...hes ****. **** off Munro. Nafi Tuitavake should have played this year.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Bro tell me about it. Show us one moment this season where Lachie Munro has created something special...hes ****. **** off Munro. Nafi Tuitavake should have played this year.

That said Will Chambers should never have been picked ahead of Dom Shipperley.

 

[Larksea]

Munro was obviously selected for his goal kicking. McAlister has lost confidence kicking for goal over the last 1/4 of the season and his %age dropped from about 75% to under 70%

Munro has done an ok job and his goal kicking has been very good, you have to give cooper some credit for that handoff though at the same time I can't imagine he would have handed Ranger off like that.

Brett was average on defense again, so frustrating. At least the Reds hide Quade out the back away from the main line of defense. garantee every game he will make a number of critical mistakes like missed tackles or kicks that miss touch.

but the main villain IMO was Jared Payne. Crazy because he's had such a good season but:
- he came up too fast and missed a tackle that converted directly to a reds try.
- Made a stupid little chip kick on defense that resulted in a reds try.
- Bombed a try when he dropped a ball after Ranger blew away a couple of reds defenders and handed a try to Payne on a platter.

Mistakes you dont expect payne to make but he made them all the same.

The good.

Blues forward pack, tight 5 in particular were very good. Far better than their counterparts. Afoa was very impressive, Charlie as well. Williams was great in the lineout and Chris Lowrie(sp) did a great job filling in for Boric. Kaino was pretty quiet, he's had a bit of an up and down season. I guess he was ok I just expected a much bigger game from him. Being an established #1 in his position in New Zealand.

Rokocoko had a very strong game. People hating on him for not crossing the line enough but he doesn't do much wrong - strong on defense and runs hard, breaks the first tackle often and really tests defenders big time.

After watching the two semi's I honestly dont give the reds much of a chance. The Crusaders are so much better on defence they wont make the schoolboy mistakes the Blues did to let the reds in. And the Crusaders Forwards are even better than the blues.

Reds only chance is if the fact the Crusaders will be playing in their 3rd nation in three weekends catches up on them. As good as they are at traveling and playing away from home it will be a big test to travel again this week.

 

[Sam Owen]

Munro was obviously selected for his goal kicking. McAlister has lost confidence kicking for goal over the last 1/4 of the season and his %age dropped from about 75% to under 70%

Munro has done an ok job and his goal kicking has been very good, you have to give cooper some credit for that handoff though at the same time I can't imagine he would have handed Ranger off like that.

Brett was average on defense again, so frustrating. At least the Reds hide Quade out the back away from the main line of defense. garantee every game he will make a number of critical mistakes like missed tackles or kicks that miss touch.

but the main villain IMO was Jared Payne. Crazy because he's had such a good season but:
- he came up too fast and missed a tackle that converted directly to a reds try.
- Made a stupid little chip kick on defense that resulted in a reds try.
- Bombed a try when he dropped a ball after Ranger blew away a couple of reds defenders and handed a try to Payne on a platter.

Mistakes you dont expect payne to make but he made them all the same.

The good.

Blues forward pack, tight 5 in particular were very good. Far better than their counterparts. Afoa was very impressive, Charlie as well. Williams was great in the lineout and Chris Lowrie(sp) did a great job filling in for Boric. Kaino was pretty quiet, he's had a bit of an up and down season. I guess he was ok I just expected a much bigger game from him. Being an established #1 in his position in New Zealand.

Rokocoko had a very strong game. People hating on him for not crossing the line enough but he doesn't do much wrong - strong on defense and runs hard, breaks the first tackle often and really tests defenders big time.

After watching the two semi's I honestly dont give the reds much of a chance. The Crusaders are so much better on defence they wont make the schoolboy mistakes the Blues did to let the reds in. And the Crusaders Forwards are even better than the blues.

Reds only chance is if the fact the Crusaders will be playing in their 3rd nation in three weekends catches up on them. As good as they are at traveling and playing away from home it will be a big test to travel again this week.

This post ticks all the boxes IMO.