Reds knocked out of Super Rugby finals
By Laine Clark, 22 Jul 2012
- Tagged:
- Quade Cooper, Queensland Reds, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, wallabies
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Life without Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper was challenging enough for the Queensland Reds.
But watching his much-heralded replacement Ben Lucas limping off in the 20th minute of their knockout Super Rugby final ensured a mission improbable against a relentless Sharks at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
In the end, the gutsy Durban-based Sharks booked a semi-final showdown with fellow South African outfit the Stormers at Cape Town with a 30-17 win in front of a shellshocked 36,571-strong crowd.
However, the defending champions will always wonder what might have been.
The Queensland Rugby Union opted not to appeal Cooper’s one-match suspension during the week but their frustration over that call paled in comparison to the angst experienced when Lucas was helped off midway through the first half.
The Reds had full faith in Lucas who inspired an upset win over the Chiefs playing at No.10 in Cooper’s absence earlier in the season – a victory that sparked their six-game winning run leading into the finals clash.
Despite the loss of Cooper, all the smart money was on the Reds after they had won six of their past seven games in Brisbane against the Sharks.
And the Reds were feeding off their remarkable home record of 21 wins in their past 23 games.
But the Sharks had made a habit of crashing the Reds’ party.
In 1996, Queensland topped the inaugural Super Rugby table, only to be thrashed 43-25 by the Sharks in the first semi-final at Ballymore.
The Sharks jumped to a 10-0 lead after just 12 minutes thanks to an opening penalty by French veteran No.10 Frederic Michalak before quick hands sent classy winger JP Pietersen down the right sideline.
And it was 17-0 after 23 minutes when fill-in centre Paul Jordaan – a late replacement for ineligible Test centre Frans Steyn – crashed over.
A Harris penalty in the 30th minute finally put the Reds on the board before the wily Michalak blew the deficit back out to 20-3 with another kick.
Reds captain Will Genia combined brilliantly with No.8 Scott Higginbotham to score in the 38th minute.
However, he went from hero to villain when five-eighth Charl McLeod intercepted a pass from the Reds halfback to run away with a 44th-minute try.
Reds openside flanker Liam Gill was controversially denied a 57th-minute try before the home side crashed over on fulltime through Radike Samo following yet another Michalak penalty – but it was too little, too late.
© AAP 2013
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- Quade Cooper, Queensland Reds, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, wallabies
July 22nd 2012 @ 7:58am
BARGE-ARSE said | July 22nd 2012 @ 7:58am | Report comment
Sharks were intense but got away with extremely cynical play and forward passes thanks to Kaplan. Reds punished by not only by Sharks but SANZAR as well.
July 22nd 2012 @ 9:42am
BROOKE48 said | July 22nd 2012 @ 9:42am | Report comment
BA, reds were punished by foolish tactics and coach mckenzies unnecessary changing of genia to ten
thus the reds punished themselves and were given a hiding;not as bad as the bulls or force,but a hiding on their own ground.
July 22nd 2012 @ 6:48pm
STU said | July 22nd 2012 @ 6:48pm | Report comment
BROOKE48
have to agree that the reds coach or capt messed up last night(or was it both of them).there was simply no way that genia had to go to 10 when lucas went off. What the heck was mckenzie thinking not playing harris when he was happy to play youngster dallan murphy against the bulls and the force and leave Genia and frisbee at halfback and on the bench respectively.
How extraordinarily dimwitted is that. A fatal mistake for sure.
July 22nd 2012 @ 11:10am
Akann said | July 22nd 2012 @ 11:10am | Report comment
BA, did you see the number of forward passes that Genia threw? The one that led to the first try for example?
July 22nd 2012 @ 12:02pm
Ryan said | July 22nd 2012 @ 12:02pm | Report comment
Pretty sour poste there Barge.
The Sharks were by far the better team and thoroughly deserved their win.you can not blame Kaplan for the inept and lacklustre performace put in by the Reds.
July 22nd 2012 @ 1:50pm
Xiedazhou said | July 22nd 2012 @ 1:50pm | Report comment
Yes, almost as sour as your constant griping about how undeserving of the win Qld was last year, and how undeserving the Reds were to get into the finals and get a home final Ryan. At least Barge only posted his opinion once….
I agree with the general thesis that the Reds didnt perform at their best last night, and that Kaplan cant be blamed for the loss. His refereeing of the offside law was however non existent, and his pedantic handling of the attacking team constantly slowed the attacking teams ability to take a quick tap. This gave the defending team time to set their defense and hence gave them unfair advantage, especially as they were allowed to continually offend without Kaplan going to a yellow card, until the last minute.. Additionally his “advantage” was very inconsistent, with him pulling up the Reds as they threatened the line. All in all, it was a poor refereeing performance.
The video refs decision was incomprehensible, particularly considering some of the decisions that favored the attacking team in recent weeks. Again, this is not a whinge, as i believe the Sharks deserved their win, however surely all stakeholders deserve better than the inconsistency that has been dished up by the Refs and the judiciary across all aspects of the game this year.
Its difficult to pick a winner from the 4 teams left in the comp, but good luck to all.
July 22nd 2012 @ 2:07pm
Ryan said | July 22nd 2012 @ 2:07pm | Report comment
I stand by that too Xie the Reds were not deserving of a home final and thankfully for the integrity of this competition and ridiculous format they were shown the door last night.
But funny you accuse me of posting repetitive opinions I would say have a look in the mirror pal you constantly are repeating yourself throughout these threads.
Pot Kettle Black maybe
July 22nd 2012 @ 2:10pm
Akann said | July 22nd 2012 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
I am so happy that the reds lost. Mainly because of the rednecks at suncorp and their constant booing of the opposition.
July 22nd 2012 @ 3:38pm
SandBox said | July 22nd 2012 @ 3:38pm | Report comment
the Booing was for Kaplan.
The reason it went on for so long is because Kaplan took 10 min to walk from the field to dressing room, and that was with the aid of two trainers, a cane, and a portable mobility device.
Think he stopped for a minute to re-adjust some dentures, and his hearing aid. So he only really heard the booing for a short time. Not to worry Akann
July 22nd 2012 @ 3:40pm
nick said | July 22nd 2012 @ 3:40pm | Report comment
Actually the TMO decision was entirely the correct one.
Everyones been whinging that they’ve been giving tries without evidence and how you’re all complaining they didn’t give one without evidence.
In all Kaplan was actually pretty good last night. The offside line was fine, there was no genuine problem there. His advantage was fine too. He allowed a short one for knock ons and a longer one for penalties, as he should.
As for the issue with the quick taps, the players simply have to take it from the spot. Its not hard but these numbskulls just do it from wherever they get passed the ball, how is that Kaplans fault?
July 22nd 2012 @ 8:27am
CraigB said | July 22nd 2012 @ 8:27am | Report comment
Well done to the sharks. A near perfect 1st half and immense defense in the 2nd. The reds were always going to struggle one Lucas went off. Being left with a teams 3rd string option at 10 made life all but impossible.
July 22nd 2012 @ 10:29am
Kuruki said | July 22nd 2012 @ 10:29am | Report comment
Harris imo is the Reds second string 10 and they had their 1st string 2nd five sitting on the bench. it was a ridiculous decision from Link not to move Harris to 10 and bring Taps into 2nd five. They could have had there best 9 2nd best 10 and best 12. They made their own life impossible.
July 22nd 2012 @ 8:28am
mikeylives said | July 22nd 2012 @ 8:28am | Report comment
Sharks came out in the first half with finals intensity and really dominated in contact – that is where the game was lost for the reds. A couple of 50-50 decisions that didn’t go the reds way doesn’t change that.
The one positive is this game may be a good lesson for the Wallabies for the upcoming 4N. If Cooper had played, woven his magic and pulled a rabbit out, the Shark’s physical domination in the first 40 may have been glossed over.
JP Pieterson is in career-best form and his (and many of the Shark’s pack) offensive defence was very impressive.
July 22nd 2012 @ 8:35am
mikeylives said | July 22nd 2012 @ 8:35am | Report comment
Another comment about this Super15 season is how many tries are scored from offloads (ie: passes in contact). This is something that Australian teams have to add to training and practice, practice, practice across the park.
NB: SBW, Vuna and Tomane are all up there in the top offload stats, so maybe there is some training techniques union can learn from NRL.
July 22nd 2012 @ 8:46am
Face the Facts said | July 22nd 2012 @ 8:46am | Report comment
Reds were beaten by a better team. Well done Sharks, good luck against the Stormers
July 22nd 2012 @ 8:53am
Red Kev said | July 22nd 2012 @ 8:53am | Report comment
What he said.
I believe Kaplan let a lot go, but he did it for both teams. I think Kaplan should have perhaps gone to his pocket earlier. I also believe Liam Gill scored a try. But I don’t believe that made a difference to the end result. The Sharks played far better than the Reds – amazing how that works, the best team won. It happened last year (SA and NZ opinions to the contrary don’t change the facts) and it will happen again this year.
July 22nd 2012 @ 9:02am
Harry said | July 22nd 2012 @ 9:02am | Report comment
And what you say.
Thought the Sharks wingers showed their class last night, both are amongst the best wingers in the world. Digby, as usual, tried his guts out and was a threat, but couldn’t make many busts and was well contained. Like most others, I thought that Harris to 10 and Taps at 12 would have been the right move once Lucas went off, but we aren’t the coach eh. Harris took a knock early, perhaps that was the cause?
The star the Reds most missed last night was James Horwill. He would have taken it to them in the forwards exchanges. AWH and Simmons tried hard, but were outgunned, same in the front 3.
July 22nd 2012 @ 9:07pm
rl said | July 22nd 2012 @ 9:07pm | Report comment
I’m not so sure about that Harry – I thought AWH was superb again. And Simmons has some of the best hands I have seen for a 2nd rower – his kick off receptions and some of his control at he top of the lineout was second to none. I don’t thinkthey were shaded by their opposites.
As Red Kev said – the best and most hungry team won. By the time the Reds woke up the Sharks were 17-0 up.
July 22nd 2012 @ 8:50am
nickoldschool said | July 22nd 2012 @ 8:50am | Report comment
Sharks were superb and deserve their win. They dominated up front at the breakdown and scrumtime and were much more fluid than the Reds in their passing game. Genia’s nice try was the result of a bad pass by Michalak but besides that the saffas were always in control.
Re Kaplan and the video ref, yes they had a bad game but i think it went both ways. Gill’s try would have given the Reds momentum though but overall the better team goes through and its what matters imo. Oh, and also, they wanted it much more than the Reds which is a bit of a concern when you play footy finals at home.
July 22nd 2012 @ 3:42pm
nick said | July 22nd 2012 @ 3:42pm | Report comment
how could they give that try? there was no evidence of grounding over the line, just assumptions. Those should never be given and thats been the general tone of the conversation following the unusual decisions of late with Coles, Ellis and Dagg.
July 22nd 2012 @ 8:52am
sheek said | July 22nd 2012 @ 8:52am | Report comment
Each Roarer tends to have a different perspective on their rugby, which often makes for interesting reading.
As someone constantly intrigued at rugby’s relationship with the wider community, the fact that Lang Park (Suncorp Stm) was only two-thirds full must be of a concern. Especially as the Reds & Sharks can be viewed as being two of the more attractive playing teams in the SR comp.
I was even amazed at my own ambivalence towards this game. Although I was at work, there was a slight opportunity I might watch the game. But when most of my workmates were adamant they were watching the Rabbitohs-Dragons match on Fox-Sports, I wasn’t at all fazed. Basically, I wasn’t at all emotionally connected to the rugby.
Supporters of Australian rugby say the Wallabies are no.2 in the world, so everything is hunky-dory. But my take on this is that if the Wallabies are no.2 in the world, then that says more about the lack of depth of international rugby, than our own well-being. The Wallabies are a good side, but how on earth they’re no.2, is nothing short of amazing.
Obviously, while over 100 countries might play rugby, very few play it to any worthwhile standard. Even among the the top 10.
Here in Australia, rugby union is losing the public relations battle to AFL & NRL, & possibly even A-League. Even more worryingly is the reality that I don’t think the ARU, other state & territory bodies, or the leading coaches & players, could care less.
July 22nd 2012 @ 10:01am
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | July 22nd 2012 @ 10:01am | Report comment
I’m with you on our number 2 ranking. Perhaps your right that others are shite, who knows?
I think the new SH 4Nations will either make or break the way the Wallabies go about things. Based on what I’m seeing out of Africa, the Boks may just finally put it together. And we already know how consistently good the All Blacks are.
For Australia to knock off these 2 powerhouses of world Rugby we are going to either need a complete change in the way we play the game or hope that SA coaches stuff-up big time and bring back PDV or an equivalent.
July 22nd 2012 @ 11:22am
Pierce said | July 22nd 2012 @ 11:22am | Report comment
“Although I was at work, there was a slight opportunity I might watch the game. But when most of my workmates were adamant they were watching the Rabbitohs-Dragons match on Fox-Sports, I wasn’t at all fazed.”
Can I come and work there?
July 22nd 2012 @ 5:19pm
sheek said | July 22nd 2012 @ 5:19pm | Report comment
Piercy,
Downtime is part of the privilege of those of us in emergency services.
The previous night I saw little of the Bulldogs-Sea Eagles match as we had a few turnouts, so that’s the way it goes.
July 22nd 2012 @ 11:29am
Damo said | July 22nd 2012 @ 11:29am | Report comment
Sheek I had similar thoughts about Australian rugby.
I cannot help but feel that oz rugby is riding on the edge of a cliff ATM and one more season of slipping backwards on the two fronts –
1 international contests
2 domestic code competition
I hope and pray that I am wrong but the canary in the cage may be the Waratahs.
And if that sign is not being listened to with extreme change, then disaster awaits in the form of a quiet unpublicised requiem service.
I repeat, I hope that I am completely wrong. But the signs are there.
July 22nd 2012 @ 12:07pm
Cattledog said | July 22nd 2012 @ 12:07pm | Report comment
What effect do you think QCs suspension had on the numbers, Sheek? They had 40 odd the week before, this qualifier without Cooper, 36. I think someone indicated somewhere in the media that there would be a financial backlash to QCs suspension and it would appear to be correct. It certainly can’t be put down to the weather. I suppose another opinion could be that many fans had perhaps made other arrangements not expecting the Reds to be playing. I was there the week before having purchased gold tickets through my local club, which had us all sitting in the nose bleed area near one of the corners.
I was offered free tickets to this game, but again in the back rows so thought it better to watch on the big screen in the comfort of home. Had Cooper been playing, I would have attended. We may start to be going the way of NZ and no longer pay what I believe are unrealistic prices for most of the seats. Friends had Platinum seats two weeks ago and were 3 rows from the back! They don’t intend going again!
Regarding our No. 2 ranking, we probably need to re-assess where we rightfully sit after the 4 Nations (irrespective of the IRBs positioning). The fact we play the top 2 (3) nations in the world constantly has an effect on the rating.
July 22nd 2012 @ 2:55pm
WQ said | July 22nd 2012 @ 2:55pm | Report comment
Cattledog you are bang on the money re the cost of seats, you nearly need to mortgage the house to take the family to the Rugby at Suncorp to watch the Reds. Whilst I am on it have a look at the prices to go to the Bledisloe Test match this year!
Then once you are in there you will need to sell the shirt off your back to buy a beer or anything to eat!!
Unbelievable!!
July 22nd 2012 @ 9:22pm
Cattledog said | July 22nd 2012 @ 9:22pm | Report comment
The test match ticket prices are ridiculous, WQ. I intended going with some mates but quite frankly, I’m sick of paying stupid prices to sit where oxygen should be mandatory. Again, I’ll watch from home but will attend the Wallaby Argentina test at Skilled Park where all the seats give a good view of the game, as the stadium is somewhat smaller. I’m also on the Coast so travel isn’t such an issue and the tickets are reasonably priced.
Until more people take a stand, we’ll continue to be treated like fools and subjected to daylight robbery to attend a rugby match.
July 22nd 2012 @ 9:56pm
stillmatic1 said | July 22nd 2012 @ 9:56pm | Report comment
im in the other camp. i dont mind paying 160 bucks for a bledisloe cup match at a great stadium like suncorp. bought 6 tickets on tuesday and have had no problem getting people to come with me. maybe its because we dont get to see many all blacks matches here in brisbane and its a nice treat every 4 or 5 years. went last year too, and although the abs lost, was a great game with a heap of atmosphere. cant ask for more than that.
what value should a seat at a premier rugby game cost? at a stadium where even the nose bleed seats offer great viewing? i agree on the prices for the reds though. how they can be more expensive than a broncos seat is beyond me.
July 22nd 2012 @ 3:22pm
David said | July 22nd 2012 @ 3:22pm | Report comment
Just wondering. How much do tickets cost in Aus?
I have Semi final tickets for the Cape Town semi.
Since Newlands has so many season ticket holders there are only pretty crappy tickets left.
Our tickets range between R80 for standing to R350
I got mine for R230 (a little under $30)
Anyway as a Sharks supporter now living in Cape Town it should be fun. Newlans is always full even for regular derbies and against bigger opposition
House full lights went up about 4 days ago
Hope my Shark can survive a trip back
July 22nd 2012 @ 5:29pm
sheek said | July 22nd 2012 @ 5:29pm | Report comment
David,
My wife works for one of the Wallabies’ sponsors. Gold tickets at Stm Australia Sydney were listed at AU$180 & silver tickets at AU$150. Or thereabouts. That’s a single ticket. I said “forget it”.
Besides, I had attended the Waraths-Brumbies match recently, & the sign-posting to our parking bay was deplorable. That, & the ordinary game on display combined to convince me to keep my money in my pocket in future.
The last time I happily paid money to watch Aussie teams play was back in the days of the Brumbies in their hay-days from 2000-04. And the Wallabies 1998-2004.
July 22nd 2012 @ 5:41pm
David said | July 22nd 2012 @ 5:41pm | Report comment
That is expensive. Our franchises realized sometime ago that getting people in was more important.
I suppose my tickets are tarnished Silvers.
Cape Town fills its stadium (50k) but it isn’t the best match day experience in the country. Durban takes that by a country mile. Very family oriented. They focus on getting you there early and keeping you there afterwards which increases e chances of you spending other money.
Having said that Durban does not often fill its stadium (52k)
July 22nd 2012 @ 5:23pm
sheek said | July 22nd 2012 @ 5:23pm | Report comment
Cattledog,
Even without QC, there was plenty in the match to entice people along. Or at least you would have thought so. It’s incredibly difficult to put a figure on it, but QC wouldn’t have kept more than a few thousand from the game.
So whether we talk 36,000 or 40,000, or even 42,000, they are all disappointing figures for a home semi-final.
July 22nd 2012 @ 9:26pm
Cattledog said | July 22nd 2012 @ 9:26pm | Report comment
Ticket pricing could well be a reason for this, Sheek. I would suggest a figure between 45-50K for a home semi in Brisbane would have been a good rather than disappointing figure.
July 22nd 2012 @ 8:55am
stillmissit said | July 22nd 2012 @ 8:55am | Report comment
Great game by the Sharks and no questions about who took the game. On the other side I am so pleased to see the back of Kaplan. That guy comes from a place that in the last 10 years has developed some of the best refs in the world but Kaplan ain’t one of them. His statement to the video ref about looking at the first grounding made an assumption that the second was illegal. I have never heard a call like this and although I am a ref I would be interested in what other refs felt about that call.
The reds fought bravely in the second half but the first 40 mins was a shocker and almost ensured that they were going to be out of the finals. I thought the Sharks had that great balance of aggressive defence and fast creative attack. A final between them and the Crusaders could be the final we dream about but rarely get.
July 22nd 2012 @ 9:06am
Harry said | July 22nd 2012 @ 9:06am | Report comment
Disappointed as I am to see the Reds exit this year, there is an element of fairness in the outcome that the semi’s will both be local derbies between NZ and SA teams, as their teams have been clearly superior to Australian teams throughout the tournament. The 3 remaining games will be crackers.
July 22nd 2012 @ 9:36am
ohtani's jacket said | July 22nd 2012 @ 9:36am | Report comment
Maybe I’m wrong, but it seemed to me that Kaplan wasn’t aware of the second grounding. Then again, it wasn’t clear how Gill received the ball to make the second grounding. In any event, the TMO system needs a full review. How many weeks in a row is this with controversial TMO decisions? I wonder if they’d be better off having the ref and his assistants review the footage like they do in American sports.
July 22nd 2012 @ 10:00am
ilikedahoodoogurusingha said | July 22nd 2012 @ 10:00am | Report comment
It also wasn’t clear how the ball got on the ground for the second grounding, and I think that is what the tmo was referring to. The ball was on the ground then we saw Gill’s right arm appear in shot afterwards…..he may have put it down with his left, but you couldn’t see that from the tv vision…..it was going to be a tough call either way.
July 22nd 2012 @ 11:43am
Danny said | July 22nd 2012 @ 11:43am | Report comment
Spot on OJ that was my beef as well. I think it was correct to not award the try but arguably Gill could have been penalised for hands in. Ball went to ground and not in Gill’s hands. He must have had hands in because the ball wasn’t recycled and he forced it from under the ruck. Overall I thought Kaplan let the game flow – sure he made mistakes but they probably evened out and the final score line fairly reflected that the Sharks took their chances.
Have to say JP Peterson is playing brilliantly – career best form. Strong, still very fast but now with all his experience. He was the difference in the first half IMO. He’ll be a real handful in TRC this year I reckon.
July 22nd 2012 @ 3:14pm
stillmissit said | July 22nd 2012 @ 3:14pm | Report comment
OJ – you might have something there. That way we have someone who is responsible for all the decisions as opposed to a guy in a shed. It also strikes me as the ref sees more about what was going on in the build up. With an AR beside him it would be hard to cry foul………………
July 22nd 2012 @ 9:07am
Jiggles said | July 22nd 2012 @ 9:07am | Report comment
Sharks were the better team and won it in the first 15 minutes. Link’s use of the bench last night was very Robbie Deans.
Otherwise I am very happy with how the year went and how the Reds played in the back half of the season. The trip home from overseas was worth it!
July 22nd 2012 @ 9:11am
Worlds biggest said | July 22nd 2012 @ 9:11am | Report comment
Absolutely the Sharks thoroughly deserved the win, they showed there intent early by running from there own 22 which set the template for the rest of the game. They disrupted the Reds all game ensuring they had no rhythm. Kaplan did let things go around the breakdown and in defence however it didn’t determine the reds outcome. They were poor all night and the Gill try would have kept them in it but really they weren’t at the races. The Sharks defence was incredible particularly first 15 minutes of second half. I was really impressed with the Sharks but equally disappointed with a very ordinary reds performance at home. Genia to 10 didn’t make any sense IMO, Frisby was fairly labored with his service although it was messy around the ruck. Harris to 10 and Tapuai to 12 would have been the better option. I doubt the Reds would have won if Cooper played. Reckon the Reds missed Horwills grunt in this game. AWH worked hard all night but Simmons again was disappointing. Sharks back row were outanding particularly the Number 8. The Sharks will get better with Lambie returning and Steyne. Michalek is still a very handy player.