Reds vs Blues: Super semis live scores and Reds blog
Roar Guru 
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After a finishing atop of the Super Rugby ladder, the Reds will strive to reach their first Super final in their 16-year history in what promises to be an enthralling encounter at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday evening. Join us from 7.30pm for our live Reds blog.
The Reds were a pillar of strength in a weakened Australian conference this season, and a dominant 13-3 record has been rewarded with a bye in the first week of finals, and home ground advantage against their New Zealand counterparts the Blues.
Coach Ewen McKenzie will no doubt have used the extra rest to freshen up his forward pack, who will be crucial in setting a platform for Queensland’s creative pivots Will Genia and Quade Cooper.
The fortnight break has allowed Digby Iaone, Anthony Faingaa and Beau Robinson back into the fray, although the Reds will be without Wallaby prop James Slipper.
A sluggish start off a bye week is simply not an option for the Reds in the pressure cooker of a semi-final, and it is worthwhile noting that after each of their regular season byes they have performed strongly, thrashing the Rebels 53-3 and grinding out a 17-16 against the Crusaders in what was a watershed moment for McKenzie’s emerging team.
Both of those wins were at their home fortress, Suncorp Stadium, and their 7-1 record at home also included a 37-31 win over Auckland in Round 13, and an expected crowd of over 50,000 could be a ‘16th man’ to get them over the line.
Their opponents beat an injury-ravaged Waratahs unit last Friday night and will fancy their chances against a team with minimal Super finals experience, and Australian five-eighth Cooper must shine on centre stage, ensuring early ball for a dangerous backline to get at the Blues’ defence.
It has all the makings of a classic, and in a first at The Roar we’ll be running two separate blogs – one for the Reds, and one for the Blues. Pick a team, or jump in for discussion on both sides from 7.30pm AEST on Saturday night.
Last Five: Blues 3, Reds 2
Overall: Blues 8, Reds 7, 1 draw
Betting: Reds $1.45, Blues $2.70
- Explore:
- Blues, Quade Cooper, Reds, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
July 2nd 2011 @ 8:41am
Joseph said | July 2nd 2011 @ 8:41am | Report comment
WE ARE RED, WE ARE RED, WE ARE RED!!!!!!!!!!!!
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July 2nd 2011 @ 9:15am
sambobly said | July 2nd 2011 @ 9:15am | Report comment
REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS REDS!!!! COME ON BOYS!!!!
July 2nd 2011 @ 9:19am
Joseph said | July 2nd 2011 @ 9:19am | Report comment
COME ON THE REDS!!!!!!!!
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July 2nd 2011 @ 10:15am
mickh said | July 2nd 2011 @ 10:15am | Report comment
As a true blue New South Welshman all I can say is RED RED RED!
Carn’ you REDS!
July 2nd 2011 @ 12:08pm
Grahame said | July 2nd 2011 @ 12:08pm | Report comment
A simple question for an ignorant computer user:
How do you “Join us from 7.30pm for our live Reds blog”??????
July 2nd 2011 @ 1:01pm
Zac Zavos said | July 2nd 2011 @ 1:01pm | Report comment
Hi Grahame – just come to this article during from 7.30pm and we’ll have someone commenting and updating on scores. This one will be geared for Reds fans; whereas this one is for Blues fans.
See you then!
Zac
July 2nd 2011 @ 1:55pm
Briolex said | July 2nd 2011 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
cooper and genia to have blinders tonight……
July 2nd 2011 @ 3:56pm
Spiro Zavos said | July 2nd 2011 @ 3:56pm | Report comment
The game plan for the Reds will be to start fast, like they did last time against the Blues. The Blues, without their X-factor players Isaia Toeava and Rene Ranger (a reserve) have to work hard to get points. The Reds with strike power all over the field can get points quickly. So a fast start will put pressure on the Blues to try and play more expansively (and with the likelihood of more mistakes) than they would like to play.
The Blues scrum is strong but the lineout, without Anthony Boric (who won 7 of their 10 wins against the Waratahs) is down to two jumpers, Ali Williams and Jerome Kaino.Keven Meleamu is not a great thrower at the best of times so Reds pressure at the lineouts could be a big factor in the way the game goes.
Rod Kafer identified the tight defence of the Blues around the ruck, which leaves big spaces out wide. Quade Cooper will want to exploit these spaces.
The loose forwards and Anthony Faignaa will also want to exploit the weak tackling of Stephen Brett and Luke McAlister.
The referee Jonathan Kaplan is a stickler for sides playing without their fists and for his calls at the rucks being instantly obeyed. The Reds would do well to concede difficult rucks and strike when the Blues make a mistake. I would think, too, that Beau Robinson will have to be more accurate at the breakdown than he was against the Crusaders.
The Reds can switch from Plan A to Plan B and C, which is the strength of the side. But Plan A, fast, skilful, expansive play with the ball in hand, with forwards and backs running hard off Cooper’s passes would be the way to start.
July 2nd 2011 @ 5:27pm
LeftArmSpinner said | July 2nd 2011 @ 5:27pm | Report comment
Ah, it has started already, the boys are fired up. excellent and its only 5.30pm. imagine if you were playing in the game.
July 2nd 2011 @ 5:54pm
Brett McKay said | July 2nd 2011 @ 5:54pm | Report comment
best of luck Reds fans, let’s hope it’s worth the wait..
And here’s a to a good game either way
July 2nd 2011 @ 7:19pm
RuckinGoodStats said | July 2nd 2011 @ 7:19pm | Report comment
Goal kickers: Reds Cooper 70% (68 from 97) Harris 100% (8/8). Blues McAlister 70% (48 from 69); Munro 78% (18/23). #super15 #superrugby #REDvBLU
Drop kick attempts: Reds Cooper 3 from 6, Genia 0 from 2. Blues McAlister 1 from 1 Brett 0 from 1 #REDvBLU
Reds on average (#super15 rank 1=most/highest) per game: 9.6 pens (7); 4.8 pens at ruck (14); 11 missed tackles (15) #REDvBLU
Blues on average (#super15 rank 1=most/highest) per game: 8.6 pens (14); 5.6 pens at ruck (9); 14.2 missed tackles (5) #REDvBLU
Reds v Blues Ref stats: Kaplan forced to award, per game average 18.5 pens (11.3 at ruck) 4.5 scrum resets & 4.5 scrum infringes Reds Blues #REDvBLU
Reds v Blues Ref stats: Kaplan 4 (1=most/highest) from 17 refs to award scrum pens, 11th for pens, F/K and ruck pens #REDvBLU