Brutal Brumbies manhandle Reds
4 Jun 2011
JON CARDINELLI says a determined forward showing provided the platform for a shock 22-14 Brumbies victory in Brisbane.
The visitors dominated the collisions from the outset, and displayed an organisation and intensity on defence that limited the Reds’ options. The Brumbies’ superior performance at the breakdown would have further substantiated the theory that if you bully the Reds’ forwards, you nullify their dangerous halfbacks.
Will Genia and Quade Cooper had very little front foot ball to work with, and were often forced to take the wrong options. Cooper’s execution was not always consistent, and Genia was also guilty of occasionally kicking possession away when keeping it was the smarter alternative.
But this indecision was in large part the result of some brilliant Brumbies defence. There were no gaps in the initial stages, and through Matt Giteau the Brumbies were clinical in converting turnovers into points. Stephen Moore also bulldozed over for an important try, and as the break approached, the Brumbies held a handy 13-point lead.
The Reds would have been better served kicking their early penalties than pushing for the try. Twice captain James Horwill instructed Cooper to put the penalty into touch, and twice that decision proved flawed as the Reds squandered possession.
They enjoyed some success when Digby Ioane carried the ball to the advantage line, and some quick ball resulted in a try for Ben Lucas. It was an important strike right before half-time, and even though Cooper missed the ensuing conversion, they’d clawed themselves back into the game.
The Brumbies maintained the pressure into the second stanza, and the Reds’ poor handling cost them in promising positions. Their lineout also failed to secure the ball as Saia Faingaa was blown for a skew feed on two separate occasions.
Cooper nailed a long range penalty to bring the Reds within five points of the visitors. They managed to lift their intensity as the final whistle approached, but the Brumbies’ defence was unrelenting.
A final infringement allowed the Brumbies a shot at goal, and the successful Giteau penalty meant the Reds were denied a losing bonus point.
The result marks an end to the Reds’ 12-match winning streak in Brisbane. To make matters worse, they lost Ioane in the 47th minute when he copped a blow to the jaw, and Genia limped off in the final five minutes. If these injuries preclude Ioane and Genia from the play-offs, the Reds will struggle to implement their game plan.
The Waratahs’ loss on Friday means the Reds are in an unassailable position at the top of the Australian conference, but they still have some work to do if they’re going to nail down a home play-off spot.
117 Comments
Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All
4 Jun 2011, 15:08 pm
@Senga(Senga)-99: It is very interesting. So many things can still happen. Reds can lose another game and Stormers win both, Stormers have home semi and final.
4 Jun 2011, 15:10 pm
Shurrup poppa
You implying that we condone it
We learn to ignore fanatics
4 Jun 2011, 15:12 pm
IAAS organise get together behind my back??
Mmmmm.
4 Jun 2011, 15:12 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-102: Se vir hom! He should be ashamed to have certain panther kids as his countrymen.
4 Jun 2011, 15:14 pm
Magtag the Mandela Bay stadium is so empty
4 Jun 2011, 15:18 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-103:
Make sure you’re in Jhb next weekend, luvvie.
That’s where transie will be.
4 Jun 2011, 15:18 pm
If the Sharks don’t start strong today, the Cheeyahs will take it.
4 Jun 2011, 15:22 pm
Oh ok sorry dearie
Thought you were down here
4 Jun 2011, 15:22 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-98:
Stop being so easily offended, you *****.
4 Jun 2011, 15:24 pm
p-uss-y is blocked, wow.
4 Jun 2011, 15:29 pm
Kings scrumhalf is tiny tiny tiny
4 Jun 2011, 15:40 pm
Sometimes when I sit and watch these games with players I haven’t seen for yonks …….
I wonder ……
Whatever happened to Fudge!
4 Jun 2011, 15:52 pm
@ET.(ET.)-90: Was just pulling your leg but either way name calling doesnt get any of us anywhere. I am anti racist too but I dont think Kobus´ Polynesian comment was intended as racist. Just saying. I know there is a lot of racism around here but no need to dredge it up when its not intended. Unless of course all you want to do is pick fights which is kind of pointless. I dont want to argue with you or put you down. So end of story from me. Over n out. enjoy the game later.
4 Jun 2011, 16:13 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-113:
Cheers.
4 Jun 2011, 23:59 pm
I must admit my post was most un sportsman like. I guess the reds needed the loss so they can use it as motivation, just didn’t like the way the Gits took the points
5 Jun 2011, 02:40 am
The Aussie rubgy blogs make keoland look like pussies. Ref conspiracy theories abound. See Panther, Poespa, Walla its not only us as you claim. Reading the kiwi comments after the Saders/Reds games you ***** can shut the **** up.
@SAussie/QldRed(SAussie)-115: What your countrymen are saying about the game.
I was there and struggled to understand what the ref and his assistants were actually doing.
Matt Giteau is the most un-Australian sportsman I have ever seen!
Giteau, I hope you get injured this week mate, you are a true loser! You must be a kiwi, go to France you p88f
ef was appauling; maybe he should go to specksavers. he can get two for the price of one there as well, so he can give the touchy one as well.
Reffing was pretty strange tonight. It seems most refs have been right onto players lying in the ruck and using hands,
Brumbies: cynical, pathetic, disgraceful. Embarrassing for austalian rugby and the game in general. PS that ref was high
I was there and struggled to understand what the ref and his assistants were actually doing. So many bad or non existent calls. Knew it was going to be tight and appalled that the ref had such a huge impact on the outcome.
So ironic to hear the reds supporters criticizing the ref after last week. After all the ref was the only reason they beat the crusaders
hahaha to the reds fans yehh well that’s karma for you, so you tease kiwis about how they whinged when they lost because of the ref, and now look what you red fans are doing hypocrites
5 Jun 2011, 05:14 am
They were always going to lose that game after last weekend. I mised my first home game of the season to go surfing for the weekend coz i knew they would play rubbish. Every team needs to lose a game to inspire them.
Happy Gits made that kick at the end, that will annoy the reds even more and the reds don’t exactly have two hard games remaining. Stormers play Bulls and in form cheetahs, Blues play saders, reds have got the force and the chiefs.
I think the reds can still get pole position, but boy it makes it more interesting now. That #1 spot is all important for the home final.
Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.