Super 15: Reds - Blues in Brisbane (13-05-2011)

[nik]

Caught the highlights of the game, it seemed like the Blues momentum was halted by that charge down try. The outcome could very well have been different. However full credit to the Reds, their backrow is immense. Blues really missed Kaino, they will need him against the Stormers next week thats for sure.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Fantastic game to be at what a crowd! I was sitting in between a bunch of Blues supporters in my Reds jumper and the banter between us was fantastic, Had a chat to Digby after the game, he was still puffed about 40 mins after the game, Also talked to Sherwin Stowers and Rene Ranger, got photos with all three because hey, not often you get to have photos with the Blues

 

[Wally]

Woldog, how strange to think the Reds can actually win the ***le this year. We were cellar dwellers for almost a decade, then last year we were the underdog giant killers and now we've transgressed to genuine contenders. A lot of thanks goes to Ewen Mackenzie but a I think he was fortunate enough to take the reigns at the right time. There was a lot of building going on before his arrival.

 

[Darwin]

Great game to watch, certainly a lot more running rugby than in the Highlanders v Hurricanes match. Both teams however were guilty of some very poor defense at times. I felt the Reds fully deserved their win; in the end I think the Blues will be happy that they managed to get two bonus points out of the game.

The Reds loose-forward trio dominated for much of the match, with Robinson and Higginbotham particularly outstanding. Braid, Lowrey and Saili all had solid matches, but were outshone by the Reds loosies. I can't help but think what a difference Jerome Kaino may have made to the Blues pack, particularly in tightening up the defense around he ruck. If Robinson and Higginbotham can keep up their form you'd think they would be shoe-ins for the Aussie RWC squad (even with the depth Aussie has in its loosies). Digby Ioane was the standout Reds back for me, he just seems to hard to stop with the ball in hand....

I thought Boric was impressive again for the Blues, particularly at lineout time, while both Tom McCartney and young Sean Polwart were impressive when they came off the bench. Brett was again very poor in my opinion. He made a couple of great linebreaks, but his decision making was poor, his defense shocking, and his changed clearance lead directly to the Reds try that sealed the game. I have not idea why Lam continues to persist with Brett rather than moving MacAlister into 10. Lachie Munro was possibly the pick of the backline when he came on at fullback (not that he was really that impressive) - surely next week they will have to start Munro at fullback, with Payne back at centre (as he was when Munro came on).

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Woldog, how strange to think the Reds can actually win the ***le this year. We were cellar dwellers for almost a decade, then last year we were the underdog giant killers and now we've transgressed to genuine contenders. A lot of thanks goes to Ewen Mackenzie but a I think he was fortunate enough to take the reigns at the right time. There was a lot of building going on before his arrival.

Phil Mooney did a fantastic job, as he is a development coach not a ***le coach. I'm still not happy about they way they sacked Phil, but I do think MacKenzie took over at the right time.

 

[Amobokoboko]

I think he's already in France with his head. But when you look at it realistically, the chances that he makes it to the RWC squad are slim, he will be selected for the Tri Nations but if I was him I would try to arrive in France in august and play as many games as from day one.

 

[lucky number 7]

Digby off to Japan so the rumors have it :/

 

[dangandan]

Digby off to Japan so the rumors have it :/

He's now dismissed that rumor.

http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/139796.html?addata=chromium

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Dead set if Digby goes, I'll probably <strike>cry, eat chocolate and spend my days watching Love Actually over and over.</strike> wish him luck on his facebook page and hope the Reds managed to get some of his DNA to clone him.

 

[woodward]

I think he's already in France with his head. But when you look at it realistically, the chances that he makes it to the RWC squad are slim, he will be selected for the Tri Nations but if I was him I would try to arrive in France in august and play as many games as from day one.

Why would he make the 3N squad but not the WC squad?

 

[Amobokoboko]

Good question, as he's not in his best form for the moment Henry will let him play 3 Nations to see if he still got it. But if he moves to France for the big €'s I can assume his new boss might say. you start in the first game. It wouldn't make sense to buy a player let him play a RWC during 1,5 months ( if he gets gametime) , with the chance of an injury.

 

[FlukeArtist]

Rokocoko is gone.

The guy just dosn't have the dynamicism of old.
In his prime he would have made a few scorching runs during a game like that, but as it was, he just couldn't break the line (as it has been all season, and last year)
Sadly, he has had his day. Time for him to move on (and hopefully he'll take Sivivatu with him).

Got to say though; The Blues were their own worst enemy in that game.
As well as the Reds played, you can't make dumb choices like the Blues made and expect to win. That coupled with some poor defense, lost the game for them

 

[markshaw]

Rokocoko is gone.

The guy just dosn't have the dynamicism of old.
In his prime he would have made a few scorching runs during a game like that, but as it was, he just couldn't break the line (as it has been all season, and last year)
Sadly, he has had his day. Time for him to move on (and hopefully he'll take Sivivatu with him).

Got to say though; The Blues were their own worst enemy in that game.
As well as the Reds played, you can't make dumb choices like the Blues made and expect to win. That coupled with some poor defense, lost the game for them

hard bro, ive been saying this all season but alot of people are still naive about him , really think they should have givin Dave Thomas or Nafe Tuitavake a run this year

 

[Darwin]

What exactly was wrong with Rokocoko's game in the weekend? Though he wasn't devastating with the ball in hand like Ioane, he still broke quite a few tackles, and actually had a couple of clean line breaks. His defense was solid, and he had a big work-rate around the park. Overall he has had a solid season for the Blues - he certainly deserved to still be starting wing at Super Rugby level in my opinion. Personally I wouldn't pick him if I was selecting the AB's (and luckily I'm not!), but I would be slightly surprised if Henry and co. don't select either him or Sivivatu for the RWC squad (can't see both being picked though). The way Sivivatu has improved over the last couple of weeks I think Rokocoko's chance of making the AB's this year are diminishing though.

 

[FlukeArtist]

There isn't anything "wrong" with Rokocoko's game as such.
Its more a case, of he isn't able to finish like he used to.

When was the last time you have seen the guy burn the opposition?
I actually can't remember.

Geez- I really really hope that nieth he, or Sivivatu make the ABs. they are both well past their prime, and with Muliaina at the back also, you've got to hope they temper his experience with some dynamic youth.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Who would you prefer? Hosea Gear is a talented guy and maybe Maitland/Guildford would be an option for the other wing

 

[Sam Owen]

Just about Joe Roko, who would you replace him with though?...is that person much better than Joe?...this is for the Blues Im talking about.

 

[lucky number 7]

His awesome name warrants a place on any team

 

[Darwin]

There isn't anything "wrong" with Rokocoko's game as such.
Its more a case, of he isn't able to finish like he used to.

When was the last time you have seen the guy burn the opposition?
I actually can't remember.

Geez- I really really hope that nieth he, or Sivivatu make the ABs. they are both well past their prime, and with Muliaina at the back also, you've got to hope they temper his experience with some dynamic youth.

Rokocoko is a very different player than he was 5 years ago when he was frequently "burning" the opposition. Despite this, he still one off the top NZ wings around. Though Rokocoko hasn't scored many tries, he hasn't blown any either... maybe he is just not getting the chances this year.

If you have watched the Chiefs games over the last two weeks you will see that Sivivatu looks to be getting back to his best.... I wouldn't suggest he is past his prime yet. At his best, Sivivatu was the best wing in the world in my opinion; if he gets back to his best I think he will be starting on the left wing for the AB's for the RWC.

Who would you prefer? Hosea Gear is a talented guy and maybe Maitland/Guildford would be an option for the other wing

Henry and co. will likely use a 'genuine' wing on the left wing, and fullback/wing on the right. Therefore you have the likes of Gear/Sivivatu/Rokocoko competing for the left wing, and Toeava/Jane/Ben Smith/Dagg competing for the right wing (assuming Muliaina is at fullback). At the moment Gear and Toeava are probably the favourites to take those two spots. The likes of Maitland/Guildford/Poki/Masaga/Ranger could be in contention (particularly Ranger and Guildford), but I feel they may have to rely on a few injuries to make the AB's squad.

 

[FlukeArtist]

I think we have seen over the last year or so that the best candidates for the wings are Jane, Toeava, and Dagg.
they all have the added benefit of being able to cover fullback also.
I suspect though, that we will Hosea Gear on one wing too.