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

[TRF_Ezequiel]

When these 2 teams play each other, it's not one for the color-blind. Reds vs. Blues, the match between Auckland and Brisbane. It has been a game in recent years won by the visitors. In the lat 5 years, only in 2007 the home team managed to win the match. This year it's the battle between the nations a bit as well. With the Reds leading the Australian conference and the Blues leading the conference across the ditch. Both teams have been exceptional in attack. With Quade Cooper, Digby Ioane and Will Genia on 1 end and Joe Rokocoko, Rene Ranger and Alby Matthewson on the other, it is promising to be a cracker!

The last time the Reds managed to beat the Blues at home was in 2004 (20-3) when they denied the opponents of even scoring a single try. Can the Blues extend their winning streak in Brisbane? Or will the Reds finally be victorious over the Auckland side?

2010 Reds 18-27 Blues
2009 Blues 24-31 Reds
2008 Reds 22-35 Blues
2007 Blues 38-13 Reds
2006 Reds 20-21 Blues
2005 Blues 18-15 Reds
2004 Reds 20-3 Blues
2003 Blues 62-20 Reds
2002 Reds 34-23 Blues

 

[Amobokoboko]

Blues are on a roll, should take this one as well

 

[Darwin]

Should be a good game. The good news for the Blues is that Luke MacAlister and Anthony Boric are expected back, though Jerome Kaino is set to be given a rest this week. Boric's return will be particularly important for the Blues, as their normally very reliable lineout has gone to pieces in the last two weeks with Boric out. With Boric out, not only were they forced to play Chris Lowrey (a loose-forward) at lock (meaning they were missing a genuine quality lineout jumper in Boric), but Boric also calls the lineout. Not having Kaino is a big loss though, as I feel he sorts of holds the whole forward pack together.

I'd really like to see MacAlister starting at 10 ahead of Brett, as Brett had a pretty shocking game last week (and it would also be good from an AB's perspective). I'm also hoping they put Payne back at centre, Ranger on the wing (i.e. the positions where they have been so effective this year.) and Munro at fullback.

 

[FlukeArtist]

Big test for the Blues...
I am hoping they can resort to running rugby and win this one.

Big ask though.

 

[Bossco]

Would have picked Blues pre Toeava injury, but Reds now. Blues backline just isn't the same.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

I will be at the game but tbh I can't see the Reds winning, don't get me wrong I hope they do, but the way they have been playing as of late hmm.

 

[Darwin]

The Reds:
Ben Daley, Saia Faingaa, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, James Horwill (c), Scott Higginbotham, Beau Robinson, Radike Samo, Will Genia (vc), Quade Cooper, Digby Ioane, Ben Tapuai, Anthony Faingaa, Luke Morahan, Ben Lucas.
Bench: James Hanson, Guy Shepherdson, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Jake Schatz, Ian Prior, Will Chambers, Dom Shipperley.

One change, with Ben Tapuai replacing the injured Mike Harris.

 

[Sam Owen]

Blues are on a roll, should take this one as well

I'll swap your should for my will.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

I am a bit confused as to why they pick Shatz over Houston, Houston was playing fantastically this year.

 

[Darwin]

Blues: Jared Payne, Joe Rokocoko, Benson Stanley, Luke McAlister, Rene Ranger, Stephen Brett, Alby Mathewson, Peter Saili, Luke Braid, Chris Lowrey, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (c), Tevita Mailau.
Reserves: Tom McCartney, Pauliasi Manu, James King, Sean Polwart, Chris Smylie, Lachie Munro, Sherwin Stowers

One change in the pack, with Boric coming into lock and Lowrey shifting to 6 to replace Kaino, who is being rested this week. McAlister returns to the backline at second-five, moving Stanley from 12 to 13, and Ranger from 13 to the right wing. Happy to see Ranger back on the wing, but would have liked to see Payne back at centre as well (with Munro at fullback).

 

[Amobokoboko]

I'll swap your should for my will.

Save mate

 

[woodward]

Theres nothing about the Blues play in recent times that should instill confidence in a Blues fan for a win. Having said that they are due a good performance and will know they need to step up. I hope Stanley puts a few massive hits on that **** Quade, I'm not sure how that midfields gonna go I think we will need the outside backs to inject themselves and Luke to back his running. If we had Kaino I might go for a blues win but as it stands I'm on the fence.

 

[Cassie]

Looks to be the game of the weekend this one is really tough to call. Will skip on placing a bet and trying to predict a winner, may the best team on the day win.

 

[Larksea]

huge game. the game of the round IMO

critical for me is the return of Boric & McAlister. If they fire then the blues should win

Will be tough with the reds having the home advantage though, in these big games it's a major factor.

 

[FlukeArtist]

I hope someone smashes Quade Cooper too. The guy is a douche.

I think Blues will really miss Kaino.

Sail'li has been slowly getting better and better though. He will need to stand up and take the Red's forwards on tomorrow night.

 

[Darwin]

This is the game of the weekend in my opinion. The Blues will want some dry conditions so they can run the ball, and hopefully discover how to score tries again!

Great matchups all over the park. The teams look pretty even up front, as I've been particularly impressed by both Daley and Slipper this season, and Faingaa is a good player. It will be great to see how Ali Williams goes against James Horwill this week, as Williams has looked to be getting back to somewhere near his best form over the last couple of weeks. Beau Robinson v Luke Braid at 7 will be another good battle to watch, with Robinson looking like he may even force his way into the Wallabies this year if he keeps up his strong form.

Mathewson will want to have a strong game against Genia.... both Mathewson and Genia will need to keep an eye on each other, as they are both very dangerous runners from the base of the ruck. Brett will want to have a much better game than last week, though I do feel he performs better with a play-maker like MacAlister outside him. I worry a bit about the defense in the Brett/MacAlister channel, as Quade Cooper could exploit the the Blues here. There are some key match-ups out wide too. The Reds will want to get the ball to the elusive Ioane, while the Blues will want to get the ball to Ranger, as Morahan has been found out quite a bit in defense this year (though appears to have some extreme pace with the ball in hand).

I'm picking the Blues to win a close one, as I feel the game may come down to goal-kicking, and MacAlister has an edge on Cooper in this department.

 

[markshaw]

blues 4 try bonus point win
im biased as ****

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Reds 28 - Blues 3.

 

[Muzzy]

if its not too late

reds 25 blues 23

btw how come this ref never calls any of the reds forward passes but calls every blues pass that goes 1mm forward ^_^

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Blues are absolutely sh** today!