Cooper’s absence gives Sharks a gap
17 Jul 2012
JON CARDINELLI writes the Reds will miss Quade Cooper’s attacking influence as well as his kicking game when they host the Sharks this Saturday.
Cooper has been suspended for one match following a dangerous tackle on Berrick Barnes, and not for the first time this season Ewen McKenzie will ask a utility player to fill the Reds’ flyhalf void.
A serious knee injury sustained at the 2011 World Cup sidelined Cooper for most of this year’s Super Rugby competition. As a result, the Reds haven’t been as much of a threat on attack, and haven’t been as effective at implementing their kicking game via that imposing Wallabies halfback pairing.
The Reds have looked a better side since Cooper’s return, and scored a bonus-point win over the Waratahs last Saturday to claim the Australian conference title. However, it is Cooper’s transgression and subsequent suspension that could prevent the Reds from advancing any further in this tournament, as they don’t have another player in the same class.
Former Wallabies centre Tim Horan said as much following Cooper’s dangerous tackle. Predictably, McKenzie has responded by pointing to the Reds’ earlier performances when Cooper was still on the sideline. McKenzie cited wins that were achieved without Cooper, and believes that the Reds will cope with the most recent setback and progress to the semi-finals.
McKenzie has also said that the Reds ‘owe the Sharks one’, referring to the Sharks’ win against the Reds in the league phase. It was in this match where the Reds’ flyhalf problem quickly became a nightmare, as further injuries to flyhalves resulted in Will Genia finishing the game at pivot.
Genia will miss having Cooper on his inside this Saturday. The Wallabies halfback pair was integral to the Reds’ success in the 2011 Super Rugby competition as well as the Wallabies’ Tri-Nations victory. Both are outstanding individual players, but that halfback combination is more than the sum of its parts.
Every opponent of the Reds has been on a ‘Get Genia’ campaign this season, and attempts to disrupt the Reds at source is no new tactic. The Sharks will surely aim to bully the Reds up front and deny Genia a platform from which to play, but they should also work to further negate his space.
The fact that Cooper is not on Genia’s outside means there should be more pressure on the scrumhalf to play the role of general, as well as provide the attacking impetus. It’s a lot of responsibility, and the Sharks would do well to use this pressure to their advantage.
The Sharks will be without three key players of their own, as Pat Lambie (ankle injury), Pieter-Steph du Toit (ankle injury) and Frans Steyn (ineligible) will not be available.
However, it is more significant that their heavy hitting Springboks should be back in the starting line-up. The inclusion of Willem Alberts and Bismarck du Plessis will aid the Sharks’ quest for gainline supremacy, as well as the aim to stifle Genia’s influence.
Steyn has made a massive impact since joining the Sharks, and the Durban-side will miss his physical influence as well as his prodigious boot. Coach John Plumtree has the option of moving Tim Whitehead to No 12 and bringing Paul Jordaan in at No 13, but a like-for-like replacement would be more prudent. Meyer Bosman is an imposing physical specimen and has the type of kicking game that is so often the difference in tight play-off matches.
It’s a big ask to travel across the world and win a play-off, and I’m not suggesting that the Sharks will have it easy in Brisbane. But there’s little doubt that the absence of Cooper will effect the Reds’ balance and increase the chances of a Sharks upset.
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827 Comments
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17 Jul 2012, 10:06 am
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-69:
“Why should I support people that have nothing in common with me”…………….so your support is secluded WP supporting lowbrow rednecks that to our misfortune have stumbled across a keyboard ???
17 Jul 2012, 10:06 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-89: there is i agree M but look at this same thread, i am chatting to some good folk with no problems, in come the same clowns and wallah it happens, this is how every thread starts its ****
was woody giving anyone ****?? nope
we come here because there are people blogging and as you know the other sites aint always busy
17 Jul 2012, 10:07 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-98:
Post 97 is who he is.
17 Jul 2012, 10:07 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-97: Trouble starting attitude? Does this sound familiar: “Preach it HG preach it”. “Preach it bruvva Fern preach it” – ^ bam bam mormon 5.
17 Jul 2012, 10:08 am
@FFF(FFF)-101: exactly, then they wonder why all the other provinces supporters dislike them so much
17 Jul 2012, 10:09 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-104: hey go clean urself *****, if i wanted to converse with you i wouold requested a meeting for the yeast infected, now pissoff
17 Jul 2012, 10:09 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-102: You are trying far too hard to be both school rebel and library monitor at the same time….far too hard.
17 Jul 2012, 10:12 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-103: yes and you are who you are, no wonder no deceent man would even look at you
always having to interfere and say you instigating 2 cents worth, keep drinking its what you are, ________ _________ read between the lines, it explains a lot
17 Jul 2012, 10:12 am
I can’t wait for this game. Reds can be dangerous and Mackenzie already talking about owing the Sharks one. The only thing in the Sharks favour is Johnathan Kaplan. He cannot be trusted in a Sharks game.
17 Jul 2012, 10:12 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-106: I have awakened the school rebel
With a Rebel yell, he screeched more, more, more.
Pull your neck in waiter, and start thinking before you plead your special brand of ‘innocence’….
Laughable.
17 Jul 2012, 10:12 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-107: like i said go dousche,
17 Jul 2012, 10:12 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-89:
good post bud…
the few spoil it for the rest…
seems being the better man and walking away from a fight is not something that some bloggers can accept…
17 Jul 2012, 10:13 am
Well I certainly didn’t mention that ‘certain bloggers need over-sized keyboards like they use for Special Olympics people’That was solely your baby Tyrone.I don’t see where that fits in on a rugby blog gramps.You have been exposed as a bigot and the feeling is not nice ne old Ty?
17 Jul 2012, 10:14 am
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-109: not so rossi, Kaplan is no sharks fan, he tries to hard to be unbiased as he is durban born , and more than not does the sharks in, i dont say its intentional, just always seems to happen
17 Jul 2012, 10:14 am
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-113: it explains you illbred mentallity little boy, now FO
17 Jul 2012, 10:16 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-96: yep, i forgot humble
it’s funny how rugby-based banter is presented, the self-appointed moral guardians embark on character assassination or at worst creating scarecrows that they can easily blast.
17 Jul 2012, 10:16 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-108: Calm down basement dweller………
Go and raid the cabernet (or is it still empty?)
17 Jul 2012, 10:17 am
@ufo(ufo)-112: Well of course they do UFO, just take a look at this thread and tell me how HG or MYself or any other sharks supporter started this?? 99% of this is started by stormer supporters
HG was not like this in the begining, the likes of capo, skop, grant 10 etc started him off, and clowns like capo, dawn, this dog food Munkey are the ones that keep the **** going
17 Jul 2012, 10:18 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-117: go dousche, or put a tampon in that trap of yours , you keep spewing ****,
17 Jul 2012, 10:18 am
Queensland Reds looking to avenge round-four loss to Sharks in Super Rugby qualifier on Saturday
By Chris Garry
The Courier-Mail
July 16, 20128:04AM
Revenge is on the mind of Queensland Reds this week in their Super Rugby rematch with the Sharks, who inflicted their most frustrating loss this year.
The Reds play the Durban-based Sharks at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night in an elimination final expected to attract a 50,000-strong crowd.
A 27-22 round-four loss to the Sharks was a game they should have won and probably would have if not for two injuries and a sin-binning.
The Reds were leading 17-0 early in the game and 17-7 when winger Digby Ioane was binned for a lifting tackle as the half-time whistle sounded.
The Sharks fought back in the second half to make it a true contest and when Mike Harris and Ben Lucas both sustained hamstring injuries, Will Genia was left to kick a crucial goal for the Reds which he missed.
Queensland went into a three-game losing streak after that defeat.
Coach Ewen McKenzie said that loss still grated and a team could not be considered true champions unless they beat every team in the competition.
“We want to square the ledger,” McKenzie said. “If you want to win the competition you have to be able to beat everyone. We have not won against some teams in the finals (Sharks, Bulls and Crusaders). We back ourselves against those teams.”
The Sharks sealed sixth place on the Super Rugby ladder with a 34-15 win over the Cheetahs, fighting back from a 15-6 half-time deficit.
Springboks forwards Willem Alberts and Bismarck du Plessis were not in the Sharks’ starting team but with the side struggling, coach John Plumtree sent both on before the break.
It was a transformed Sharks team that came out for the second half and dominated the Cheetahs.
The Sharks have played only South African teams for the past two months and McKenzie said he had already developed a Sharks-specific game plan.
“I already have some thoughts on how to play them. It won’t be the same game plan we used on the weekend,” he said.
“The Sharks have only played South African teams since May 12.
“Hopefully we offer something different. There’s a chance there to take them into a different space.
“We have got three games to win now.”
The Reds have a poor record against the Sharks, winning just one of their past five matches.
17 Jul 2012, 10:20 am
@ufo(ufo)-112: why not take a look and see when ever someone like capo starts his **** how quickly the other enter to back him up??? surely by now you guys should have cottoned onto this???
and these are your fellow stormer supporters, and its always the same names that pop up?? TELLS A STORY DONT IT?
17 Jul 2012, 10:21 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-111: Your comebacks are a good reflection of your moral fiber: weak….
Look, nothing personal, but I know your sort. The weedy kid, the crowd pleaser, the runt of the litter who performs as expected depending on the crowd he is with.
When with bullies – he will bully and cheer the behemoths on.
When with decent folk – he will put on his ***** mask and preach peace.
Man up jellybaby.
17 Jul 2012, 10:21 am
Frans Steyn will be a bigger loss for the Sharks that what Cooper would be for the Reds.Turnstile Bosman will cost them big time.The plus for them though is the fact that their other weak point,Lambie,is not playing.The former Lion much better at the back.
17 Jul 2012, 10:22 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-118: Preach it jellybaby, preach it
17 Jul 2012, 10:23 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-116:
They be preaching it…….
17 Jul 2012, 10:23 am
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-120: LOL Rossi, thats old news, and make no mistake the Sharks know in for a very difficult match, and no doubt the Reds are the favourites,
17 Jul 2012, 10:23 am
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-79:
I believe it’s important to hold people to their words.
17 Jul 2012, 10:24 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-121: Are you crying? Sniffle snot sniffle snot?
17 Jul 2012, 10:25 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-122: and it shows how illbred you are that sits on a blog day in and day out to antagonise people, shows how mature you are huh?? now fo,
17 Jul 2012, 10:25 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-90:
Well, if trying to keep people honest is “devious and deceitful”, then I suppose that’s what I am, too.
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-87:
Even Tacitus is able to come out and admit it and take his punishment when he’s been wrong. Man up.
17 Jul 2012, 10:26 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-114: I’ve watched his performances for the Sharks. He is very biased. I think it was wrong of Sanzar to give him this game to officiate knowing that he is a Durban born man. Very wrong indeed.
17 Jul 2012, 10:26 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-128: you give yourself way to much credit *****
17 Jul 2012, 10:28 am
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-131: I dont agree Rossi, but i hear ya, trust me i know the Sharks would prefer another ref, there is a reason Kaplan hates the Sharks
17 Jul 2012, 10:28 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-106: @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-111: @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-119:
What a classy human being you are.
You do realise you are talking to a woman?
Pathetic. I’d suggest you apologise immediately.
17 Jul 2012, 10:29 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-129: I think your left hand is shaking? You didn’t complete your message to me.
Walk to the ‘cabernet’ in your office, and take out a bottle of cabernet – down it. (Might stop the shakes)
Then return, and finish your woeful effort in trying to put the blame on those ‘nasty, hated, illbred Stormer supporters’.
You have a 5 minute ‘big daddy mantrum break’.
I will be here when you return.
17 Jul 2012, 10:29 am
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-131: for me it should have been refs from up north
none sanza refs
17 Jul 2012, 10:31 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-124: leave sharky alone, you know this is like poking a rottweiler.
17 Jul 2012, 10:31 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-133: If the crying wasn’t bad enough, you are now blaming the ref before a whistle has been blown in anger?
Snot sniffle snot sniffle.
17 Jul 2012, 10:31 am
Sharkies can do it if they play, if they play , if they play, if…..
17 Jul 2012, 10:32 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-134: and you call her classy?? come now dude , you also think i care wtf you have to say???
typically you Stormer clowns start the insults and when it backfires you wanna cry clas and boohoooohoo fU*king hoooo
go play with yourself man, i couldnt give a rats *** what you think or say, that thing aint a lady, her rubbish on here proves it
17 Jul 2012, 10:32 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-137: More like a Notweiler.
Afghan more likely. All big hair, gold medallions and an elegant walk…
17 Jul 2012, 10:33 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-118:
That comment’s hilarious, I can provide you with proof that you and Heavens Game definitely did not get along with each other in the beginning, anything but.
You guys have such persecution complexes, you’re just as bad as poppa69 with your “but he/she started it”, I’m just “returning serve” etc. etc. etc.
Typical playground politics, we take on capo and skop if they overstep, but I’ve never seen you take on fern, Predawn or Heavens Game for the, frankly, mysogynistic excrement they often post here.
17 Jul 2012, 10:33 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-138: again you prove my point, what a lowlife scum you are, i never blamed the ref for anything, *****
17 Jul 2012, 10:34 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-142: I seriously dont give a **** what you think or have to say dude, run along
17 Jul 2012, 10:34 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-130:
Transie and WP Till I Die:
Man up?
What for, for saying “the Sharks should easily win the SA conference”?
No apologies for speaking my mind. It is what I believe.
Get a life. Drop your Stormer inferiority complexes. Are you that sensitive about your team?
I will say it again and again at the start of every Super season.
Get used to it.
17 Jul 2012, 10:35 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-126: How are the Reds favourites with lower points on the log, and having lost to the Sharks earlier in the season, also with you lot doing your best to avoid Christchurch.
17 Jul 2012, 10:35 am
NIce to see the really trashy stormer supporters all came out to prove my point. I REST MY CASE
17 Jul 2012, 10:36 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-140:
There you go again – it’s never you, is it. It’s always someone else.
All I see right now is a big baby, bawling his eyes out, shouting “But he started it!”
Come on, man. Be the bigger man, you don’t have to resort to insults (even if they have been provoked).
17 Jul 2012, 10:36 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-140: As your leader HG says: This is beyoooooooooooooooootiful.
Shark meltdown – Shark meltdown – Shark meltdown……
You seemed to take huge pleasure in watching some people attack a Kiwi blogger yesterday and cause a ‘supposed’ meltdown. His ‘alleged’ meltdown was not HALF as spectacular as what yours is turning into
17 Jul 2012, 10:36 am
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-146: home gorund and the reds have won their last 6 matches in a row, that alone speaks volumes
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