Mowen ready to mow the Reds down
Columnist By David Lord, 16 Feb 2013 David Lord is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- ACT Brumbies, Queensland Reds, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
ACT Brumbies Super Rugby captain Ben Mowen. AAP Image/Julian Smith
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While the Queensland Reds await the return of their on-field executives James Horwill and Will Genia from long-term injury, a super-fit Ben Mowen will begin his long overdue quest tonight for a regular Wallaby jumper.
The Brumbies skipper is all quality across the park, and his tilt with the Reds pack in their Super Rugby opener in Canberra could well dictate the outcome.
Mowen, one of the many Waratahs who have left over the years to improve their lot, has been an inspiration to the Brumbies since he took over the leadership last season. His combination with coach Jake White one of the best in the tournament.
It’s one of rugby’s great mysteries why Mowen has yet to win Wallaby recognition. This Lions season would be a cracker of a time to start.
There’s a lot to like about the Brumbies,
The signing of world-class openside flanker David Pocock is the icing on the cake, and with veteran Wallaby hooker Stephen Moore in tandem with Mowen will have the pack on fire.
Out the back the return from injury for Christian Lealiifano and Matt Toomua, and former Wallaby winger and Roar colleague Clyde Rathbone after a three-year break has a snappy look about it, especially when full-back Jesse Mogg chimes in.
The Reds will certainly miss lock Horwill and half Genia, with Adam Wallace-Harrison and Ben Lucas filling their spots. Lucas is an interesting selection at No 9 as he’s usually a full-back, but he has utility talents.
Despite missing Horwill, the Reds have a powerful pack led by new skipper James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Saia Fainga’a, Rob Simmons, and the tireless flanker Liam Gill.
Plenty of pace out the back as well, with Digby Ioane amd Dom Shipperley on the wings, Mike Harris at full-back, and vice-captain-centre Ben Tapuai who is looking for a big season.
All eyes will be on Quade Cooper, who reckons he’s a far better rugby player thanks to boxing.
“I’m tougher, both mentally and physically,” was how Cooper described his pro debut in the ring.
This clash promises plenty, especially as last night the Rebels and the Force proved they are not in the same league.
But the Reds and Brumbies are heavyweights, all set for an 80-minute shootout.
Bring it on.
- Explore:
- ACT Brumbies, Queensland Reds, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
February 16th 2013 @ 7:55am
Rob from Brumby Country said | February 16th 2013 @ 7:55am | Report comment
I don’t often nominate backs as the key players in the match, but tonight I reckon a lot will ride on the performances of Mike Harris and Jesse Mogg. This game is going to be won on territory, and the fullback with the better boot can have a big influence on a match like this. Mistakes could be crucial.
February 16th 2013 @ 8:02am
adsa said | February 16th 2013 @ 8:02am | Report comment
PlayingTooma & Lealiifano is a risk both on the comback from injury.
February 16th 2013 @ 11:10am
georgie said | February 16th 2013 @ 11:10am | Report comment
I agree Toomua has had no hard preperation.I would have liked to see Zack Holmes start at 10 takes the ball to the line and has the class to cause problems.His first season at Super level was outstanding.
February 16th 2013 @ 8:02am
Dan H said | February 16th 2013 @ 8:02am | Report comment
Pretty sure lucas was a specialty halfback who is now used as a utility. Might want to check the facts on that one. Either way he is a quality player and the reds wont lose much having him playing there he is one of the most underrated players in super rugby. Same could be said of AWH.
February 16th 2013 @ 9:40am
Jiggles said | February 16th 2013 @ 9:40am | Report comment
You’re both wrong. He was originally a 10.
February 16th 2013 @ 1:55pm
Harry said | February 16th 2013 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
Correct Jiggles and IMO 10 is his best position. But I’m sure he’ll give a very good account of himself at 9 tonight – played there in the trials this year.
February 16th 2013 @ 3:23pm
Jiggles said | February 16th 2013 @ 3:23pm | Report comment
I agree, it’s a shame he doesn’t get more time there.
February 16th 2013 @ 8:31am
Doug said | February 16th 2013 @ 8:31am | Report comment
“interesting choice at half back”. Ben Lucas was a specialist half back. He was 1st choice half back before Genia. Mowen to now down Reds? Yawn. More talk about the Brumbies- the mOst over hyped team.
February 16th 2013 @ 8:51am
David Lord said | February 16th 2013 @ 8:51am | Report comment
Dan H and Doug, Ben Lucas made his mark originally as a fly-half at that great rugby school St Josephs Gregory Terrace and for Sunnybank in the Brisbane club premiership, scoring 35 of 85 points in the 2007 final. Signed by the Reds Lucas was switched to half when Sam Cordingley and Will Genia were both injured, but when they returned, Lucas has been a regular full-back since. Of the three positions Lucas has spent the least time as half-back. Having said that, he is a very talented footballer, and would have been a long-term Wallaby had it not been for injuries at critical times.
February 16th 2013 @ 9:30am
Red Block said | February 16th 2013 @ 9:30am | Report comment
Last week at the trails against the Chiefs, Lucas was outstanding. A great pass from the base and a solid defender who hassled Crudeness all night. In fact, he was so good, he was given a start over Frisby, the back up half.
February 16th 2013 @ 6:14pm
kombiutedriver said | February 16th 2013 @ 6:14pm | Report comment
Lucas does not get the press coverage that the southern press gave to push the barrows of halfbacks like Burgess. Taking that extra step and delivering a slow pass ………. yet still being picked ……….
February 16th 2013 @ 11:54am
JohnB said | February 16th 2013 @ 11:54am | Report comment
Started with the Reds as 9. Genia wasn’t injured – he’s younger and was just comnig on the scene. Some good judges (well, me) thought Lucas could have been ahead of Burgess as Wallabies half, and how he didn’t get in as at least the back-up is beyond me. Mowen’s also a Qld-er by the way and played for the Reds before going to NSW.
February 16th 2013 @ 1:00pm
David Lord said | February 16th 2013 @ 1:00pm | Report comment
JohnB, you are obviously a Queensland Red to the marrow of your bones, got the red jersey all dry-cleaned for tonight? True, Lucas was a better half than Burgess. but then so was everyone else. As for Mowen being a Queenslander which is true, he played only seven games for them, and 41 for the Waratahs.
February 16th 2013 @ 1:16pm
Jiggles said | February 16th 2013 @ 1:16pm | Report comment
That comment makes no sense. You accuse John of Red biass then agree he is a better half than burgess? You NSW folk are pathetically biased and paranoid. Reds under the bed indeed.
February 16th 2013 @ 1:44pm
David Lord said | February 16th 2013 @ 1:44pm | Report comment
What’s your problem Jiggles? Firstly I wasn’t accusing JohnB of anything, just saluting his Reds passion. And secondly. Lucas was, and still is, a better player than Burgess. So repeat, what is your problem?
February 16th 2013 @ 1:58pm
Harry said | February 16th 2013 @ 1:58pm | Report comment
Jiggles identifies possible condescending attitiude. Just becauase were paranoid doesn’t mean you NSW lot aren’t being arrogant. Bring on next week as well as tonight.
February 16th 2013 @ 3:20pm
Jiggles said | February 16th 2013 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
Correct Harry. It’s amazing how the peanut gallery gets all hot and bothered when a reds support suggests a reds player is anything more than average.
February 16th 2013 @ 3:29pm
sheek said | February 16th 2013 @ 3:29pm | Report comment
Jiggles,
Every time I see a picture of that Queensland jersey beside your moniker, a wave of nostalgia rushes over me.
If only the QRU would get of its insidious marketing hoopla & return the Queensland rugby jersey to its rightful historical & traditional colour – maroon.
February 16th 2013 @ 4:00pm
Jiggles said | February 16th 2013 @ 4:00pm | Report comment
The QRU logo is still there
http://shop.redsrugby.com.au/product-p/qrjr205red.htm
February 16th 2013 @ 6:46pm
sheek said | February 16th 2013 @ 6:46pm | Report comment
Yeah I know, but the jersey ain’t maroon…..!
February 16th 2013 @ 8:42pm
JohnB said | February 16th 2013 @ 8:42pm | Report comment
Jigs, a couple of quibbles – first off, it’s not possible to accuse anyone of Reds bias – all that can be done is to commend them for it. Perhaps more seriously, from a grammar point of view – “NSW folk are pathetically biased and paranoid” is a whole series of tautologies.
February 16th 2013 @ 8:36pm
JohnB said | February 16th 2013 @ 8:36pm | Report comment
David, too old for the supporters jersey concept – don’t believe you wear the jersey unless you’ve earned it! Comment re Mowen was just that he’s not a Waratah who’s left his home state (as is the no doubt unintended implication that could be drawn from your statement) and gone looking for greener pastures. Unarguably plenty of Waratahs have and are playing in the other franchises (including Qld), but he isn’t one.
And picking up Jiggles’ point, had you been accusing me of Reds bias it would have been an entirely fair cop (and not something I would have taken the least offence at)!
February 16th 2013 @ 12:14pm
Doug said | February 16th 2013 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
But with him as having previously filled the role- & showing form in the trials it seems pretty self evident he would be No.9. Pocock was a centre in high school rugby so I don’t think going back that far is relevant.
February 16th 2013 @ 1:17pm
David Lord said | February 16th 2013 @ 1:17pm | Report comment
Doug, talking schoolboy rugby, if my memory serves me correctly Tony Daly the Wallaby prop who scored the 1991 Rugby World Cup winning try at Twickenham, repesented Joeys in the GPS sprints over 100 and 200. From sprinter to Wallaby prop is no mean jump, even greater than David Pocock’s switch from centre to openside flanker.
February 16th 2013 @ 1:22pm
Johnno said | February 16th 2013 @ 1:22pm | Report comment
Wow that is impressive Jonah Lomu style, big man who can run fast. Were you a GPS boy David, or a CAS boy growing up.
Did you play any 1st 11 cricket or 1st 15 rugby growing up, or make any CAS/GPS rep teams.
February 16th 2013 @ 1:28pm
David Lord said | February 16th 2013 @ 1:28pm | Report comment
GPS Johnno, five years as a boarder at Kings, arguably the best years of my life – all sport, sport, and more sport, and somehow, by some miracle, managed to pass the Leaving Certificate twice in 1956 and 1957. Played first X1 cricket, first team tennis, track and field, plus rifle shooting, which was a big sport in those days. But my best cricket were the 17 years with Mosman first grade, seven as captain, and they were definitely the best years of my life, as were the 10 years of first grade baseball with Mosman.
February 16th 2013 @ 1:42pm
Johnno said | February 16th 2013 @ 1:42pm | Report comment
Wow David a good athlete. Kings was a good school, it does well at many sports. Cricket,Rugby,Rowing,rifleshooting back then, basketball and soccer now, all the sports .
Good times, have a good day.
February 17th 2013 @ 4:56am
Justin2 said | February 17th 2013 @ 4:56am | Report comment
No rugby David?
February 16th 2013 @ 8:33am
nickoldschool said | February 16th 2013 @ 8:33am | Report comment
Really looking forward to this one. When i look at who will be on the park tonight, i reckon we could make a very decent wallabies team (the best?) out of these 46 players.
Last night was a very decent opener but tonight should really set the trend for 2013. Even as a tahs supporter, no doubt in my mind these 2 are the favorites of the Oz conf. Brumbies were brilliant at times last year and i dont see how they could be any weaker this year. Pocock will do his job, if White puts Rathbone in the starting XV it means he is back to a very good level, Mogg or Lealiifano can unlock any defence. I just love the density they have this year.
I dont think Harris as the counter attacking abilities Mogg has at FB and missing Horwill and Genia will be too much for the Reds.
February 16th 2013 @ 3:09pm
jeznez said | February 16th 2013 @ 3:09pm | Report comment
Nos, I’m holding fire before this one. Last year I thought the second meeting of these two teams could be anything and waxed lyrical with this article.
http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/05/25/brumbies-vs-reds-lesson-provinces/
Unfortunately the match was poo. I’m hoping for a quality match tonight, there is the potential – but I am not banking on it.
February 16th 2013 @ 3:20pm
nickoldschool said | February 16th 2013 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
Haha, had forgotten about the game and your article tbh, that is was not good, The game I mean, until I re read it and saw one of the most forgettable comment I have contributed (and there are quite a few), which finished by:
“Best aussie derby of the season.”
Oops.
February 16th 2013 @ 3:28pm
jeznez said | February 16th 2013 @ 3:28pm | Report comment
Well last time you said to pick the majority of the Wallabies out of these two sides and add Pocock. This year you already have Pocock in your pool for selection.
February 16th 2013 @ 3:20pm
jeznez said | February 16th 2013 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
Ps. I just went and re-read the comments from my article last year and you said the same thing about picking the best Wallaby side out of these two squads!
February 16th 2013 @ 3:32pm
nickoldschool said | February 16th 2013 @ 3:32pm | Report comment
Indeed!! And I swear I didn’t recall this game nor writing that last year! Didnt even have a ‘deja vu’ feeling when writing that this morning.
Makes me wonder though: am I really a waratahs fan?! Just hope it’s not a bad omen and we will get a cracker tonight.
February 16th 2013 @ 9:56am
Malo said | February 16th 2013 @ 9:56am | Report comment
Have to agree Mowen Pocock and Moore will rip the reds pack apart. I think the Brumbies will win well and agree the class will be much better than that force vs rebels where ball security was very poor, though it did create some good tries and some entertainment.
February 16th 2013 @ 10:07am
mace 22 said | February 16th 2013 @ 10:07am | Report comment
If the intention of this bold headline is to get roarers to read his article, well it worked on me.
February 16th 2013 @ 10:50am
Crockycrocky said | February 16th 2013 @ 10:50am | Report comment
Just hope for the sake of Rathone that the Brumbies do well. Depression is not just cured it is a constant battle and White and the Brumbies admin/ticket sellers have put a lot of expectations on him. He is well and truly currently sitting on the top of the hill and really want him to stay there. Just hope Reds don’t kick constant high balls at him ….. History shows that ain’t his forte!
February 16th 2013 @ 10:54am
nickoldschool said | February 16th 2013 @ 10:54am | Report comment
Don’t jinx him mate!
February 16th 2013 @ 1:58pm
stillmissit said | February 16th 2013 @ 1:58pm | Report comment
The game should be a great clash and I can’t wait to see how it goes. Who’s the Ref? Anyone know?
Mowen is one of the best back rowers in the country and as David said it is a bit of a mystery why he didn’t get a start over Radike for instance. He is a bit small for a number 8 but gets through a lot of work and should have been in the squad as a 8/6 at least as cover for Palu and if HIgginbotham had a brain snap. I was amazed that the Tahs let him go.
Last night was an excellent starter for tonight’s main course. Lets hope it is not like MKR where they all seem to make good entrée but lousy main courses….
February 16th 2013 @ 2:00pm
Harry said | February 16th 2013 @ 2:00pm | Report comment
Well done to the Roar with your Clyde promotion above. Hope he goes well in a beaten team, 39-38 to the Reds would be the ideal result for me.