Reds edge Canberra clanger

Reds edge Canberra clanger

26 May 2012

JON CARDINELLI reports on a fiercely contested yet error-marred Aussie derby that was eventually won 13-12 by the Reds.

The game produced one try, but the word ‘dour’ wouldn’t do it justice. The game never wanted for action but unfortunately never developed into a spectacle nor offered the high level of execution you’d expect from a top of the conference encounter.

The error count on both sides was astronomically high, and at times the ill-discipline also stunted momentum. The game ended on an error when Brumbies flyhalf Zack Holmes missed a penalty attempt. The Reds celebrated wildly as Holmes’s shot drifted wide, but coach Ewen McKenzie will be more relieved than anything else after what was an erratic performance.

It was a result they should have secured moments before. The Reds were camped on the Brumbies’ tryline, and when the hosts attempted to clear, Holmes’s kick was charged down. The clock looked to be on the Reds’ side as the teams packed down for a scrum, but incredibly the Reds failed to secure the ball and Brumbies scrumhalf Nic White succeeded in hacking it 60m upfield.

The pressure on both sides was evident, and their tactics were befitting a match of this stature. However, neither McKenzie, Jake White, nor Wallabies coach Robbie Deans for that matter, would have been pleased with the errors at the set pieces, the poor ball security at the breakdown and the lack of physicality at the collisions.

Referee Steve Walsh threatened to take charge of the breakdown early in the game, but then allowed more of a contest as the match wore on. Ball-poaching specialists like Liam Gill and Michael Hooper were influential, and with both teams allowed to forage on the ground nether attack obtained the necessary momentum to score a try.

The only try of the game was scored by Reds fullback Luke Morahan, and it was the product of individual brilliance rather than a concerted team effort.

The Brumbies employed their incessant kick-chase tactics early on, and Morahan soared to collect a high bomb before surging upfield. A neat chip over the disorganised Brumbies defensive line rolled into the in-goal area, and Morahan showed his speed to beat all Brumbies chasers for the touchdown.

The rest of the game played out in a frustrating manner, as both teams niggled at each other and attempted to stifle each other’s attack. The scrums were a mess, but the Brumbies will most lament the number of skew feeds at the lineout. It robbed them of a great attacking platform and was yet another reason why their backs struggled to get into the game.

The win allows the Reds to stay in the hunt for a play-off place, while the losing bonus point sees the Brumbies maintaining a five-point buffer between their closest rivals in the Aussie conference.


191 Comments

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  • 51.chch: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:11 pm

    @Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-49:
    i think this game may end early when steve walsh starts to cry and takes his ball home

  • 52.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:13 pm

    @chch(chch)-51:

    Just after he throws his whistle down with some force…

  • 53.viewer: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:13 pm

    Another MMA-style clean at a ruck

  • 54.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:17 pm

    Who is dominating?

  • 55.chch: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:18 pm

    what the hell is walsh on about “re-monitor”

  • 56.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:19 pm

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-54:

    Steve Walsh

  • 57.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:20 pm

    walshy doing a lot coaching… :D

  • 58.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:21 pm

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-54:

    Too many errors and too many kicks by both teams, nobody dominating…Reds with territory and possession but not doing much.

  • 59.theOracle: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:21 pm

    Will has no peers!!

  • 60.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:22 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-57:

    I think it is because he uses his own rules…

  • 61.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:22 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-57:

    He is a good ref but he gives the players too much scope for” debate” imo.

  • 62.viewer: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:22 pm

    Sasuke
    Its a stop start affair. Steve Walsh is dominating.
    Just a moment of brilliance by morahan.

  • 63.chch: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:23 pm

    I must say Steve Walsh is lying when he says I yelled out “please stay behind the ball”

    this is a display of over refereeing and because of it the half back thought he could pick up the ball without being tackled by the other halfback. A situation created by Walsh

  • 64.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:25 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-11:

    liam gill vs michael hooper :)

    Kings of the breakdown

  • 65.viewer: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:26 pm

    Walsh’s style is odd. Almost like a bit of guesswork is involved. & whatsup with the tattoo on his arm

  • 66.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:27 pm

    @chch(chch)-55:

    walsh is the biggest ego and grandstander of all rugby refs

    right old showoff

    annoys hell out of me – his way of talk on field

  • 67.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:29 pm

    Hahaha just heard Marto saying off camera…he is a freaken showpony man, he talks to much!

  • 68.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:29 pm

    Quade Cooper Show????

    lets go boy

  • 69.chch: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:29 pm

    @viewer(viewer)-65:

    Apparently it ways “He who controls himself, controls the game”

  • 70.viewer: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:30 pm

    @64 Where’s the south african hooper or gill in 2012? Eish

  • 71.chch: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:31 pm

    Steve Walsh tatoo

    “We who controls himself, controls the game”
    http://www.espnscrum.com/newzealand/rugby/image/115123.html

    what a twaat

  • 72.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:32 pm

    I hate this ref

  • 73.viewer: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:33 pm

    Lol @69 :-)

  • 74.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:34 pm

    @viewer(viewer)-70:

    Heinrich then….no body! SA no depth in fetcher department

    This Hooper will become the McCaw of Aussie rugby

  • 75.viewer: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:35 pm

    It says “Walshie, no player shall upstage thee”

  • 76.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:37 pm

    @greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-74:

    Hooper is off to the Worrytahs where they will bugger up his rugby for a few years.

  • 77.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:37 pm

    Fark, there goes a ligament.

  • 78.chch: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:37 pm

    @viewer(viewer)-75:
    no, read 71

  • 79.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:38 pm

    Ohh dear and there goes the Wallabies captain….gone!

  • 80.viewer: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:40 pm

    Ya, he’s hyper-extended an adductor, I’m guessing

  • 81.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:41 pm

    Pretty kuk game but if nothing JW turned a bunch of no-hopers into a decent type of rugby team in a very short time.

  • 82.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:41 pm

    @chch(chch)-78:
    hmmm you been on here to long.
    Looks like knocking the ref comments can be catching.

  • 83.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:42 pm

    @viewer(viewer)-80:

    Commentators recon a hammie?! Funny way he is put together…

  • 84.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:43 pm

    @Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-81:

    add..No Names ..into an effective smart playing unit

  • 85.viewer: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:43 pm

    Ok ok I was being tongue in cheek. He’s a narcissist though huh?

  • 86.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:44 pm

    @Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-81:
    No hopers?
    I wouldnt say that.
    A couple of teams that had no chance of doing well this year have proven otherwise.
    Hurricanes is another team.
    With a coach that really hasnt coached at this level at all.
    Now Hammett has done well, i case better than what White has done, in my opinion of course

  • 87.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:44 pm

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-82:

    Hehe Hurri, he is actually not to bad as far as blowing goes but it is the sideshow that is….err unique!

  • 88.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:44 pm

    Steve Walsh

    please let game flow and keep quiet

  • 89.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:45 pm

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-86:

    They were pretty useless last year and nobody gave them any chance this year…so yes, no hopers.

  • 90.chch: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:47 pm

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-82:

    :)
    Not sure if this site blocks the link I posted to the picture of Steve Walsh’s tattoo or not?

    You have to admit that is a damn weird tattoo to get

  • 91.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:48 pm

    and get a haircut as well

    you look like some night clubing Capetown stuckup showpony fairy

  • 92.The Hippy Hooker: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:48 pm

    Whoooooooooo rugby man,it’s so freakin awesome man,I’m here in Trans Sky and I’m sort of like watching all these dudes in Australia man,playing rugby,these guys are like massive dudes man running around and entertaining me man. Glad it’s half time man ,cause I’ve got the munchies,gonna have some choco biscuits man and a nice cup of tea. I think those red guys are gonna win it man ,but those Brumbie dudes man they could win it too man. What the freak is a Brumbie man and why is there like a horse noise when they kick the ball off,that’s freaking me out man ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. That referee man ,he’s like a father figure man,it’s like he’s telling off his kids man,I,m sure he’s a good father in real life man,maybe a little strict. Must be hard being one off those rev dudes,trying to watch,like 30 dudes running around and remembering all those freaky laws,man glad I’m not one of those dudes man.i love rugby man

  • 93.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:49 pm

    @chch(chch)-90:

    yes, I saw the picture. really annoys me this guy

  • 94.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:49 pm

    @chch(chch)-90:

    Came through no problem.

  • 95.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:50 pm

    wow
    You go on the super 15 web site and there at the top is a link to the Kings. lol

  • 96.viewer: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:50 pm

    Butterfingers Ioane, unlucky

  • 97.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:52 pm

    @Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-87:
    :-)

    @Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-89:
    OK but we have been down this JW road before. Some like him and some dont.
    Personllay i dont think he is a s good as a few on here think.
    But i am a kiwi, what do we know about coaches :-)

  • 98.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:54 pm

    @chch(chch)-90:
    Yep very weird ,maybe Walsh had to cover the heart with an arrow through it with the words mummy at the bottom of it :-)

  • 99.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:55 pm

    both these teams are skilled @ winning turnovers…you go into contact without support, you’re dead.

  • 100.viewer: Reply to this comment
    26 May 2012, 12:56 pm

    Lol two brumbies knocked into each other face first at the line out

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