What?
If the Waratahs don’t know what’s wrong, they don’t deserve to represent the proud Waratah emblem on the NSW jersey.
But if they haven’t got the message, which places them in the thick category, all Allen has to do is hand every contracted Waratah a tape of last night’s top of the table cracker at Suncorp between the Reds and Blues and make them watch it right through, and keep watching it, until the penny drops.
It was 80-minutes of scintillating running rugby, the way the sport should be played. The best game of the year by far, and a leading contender for game of the decade.
Pulsating. The game they play in heaven.
The night started with the Blues on top of the overall table, and the New Zealand Conference, on 47 points, with the Reds second on the overall, and leading the Australian Conference on 46.
Today, the Reds top the table on 51, with the Blues second on 48, after the Reds won this fascinating end-to-end head-to-head match 37-31, with four brilliant tries apiece.
Quade Cooper’s boot was the difference, landing seven from seven, with four conversions and three penalties to four and one. Luke McAlister missed two three-pointers.
By the clock:
* In the first 36 minutes, the Reds crossed for three tries to lead 24-nil – totally in command, a case of how far?
* In the next 21 minutes, the Reds led 27-24 – the Blues surged, result in doubt.
A massive turnaround. Game on.
Did the Reds turn off, endemic in Australian sides, or did the Blues show enormous courage?
Probably a bit of both, but whatever the reason/s, it had the 30,041 Suncorp spectators on their feet, and millions of television viewers worldwide on the edge of their seats.
Watching Reds’ winger Digby Ioane consistently beat his man and supports with searching runs, often from cold starts, and tackling his heart out.
Watching Will Genia, and Cooper dictate play like traffic cops, both bringing off stunning tackles. That’s expected of Genia, but not of Cooper, who tackled like a man possessed.
The Reds tight five was superb, the lineout jumping of skipper James Horwill and Rob Simmons near perfect.
And the backrow of Beau Robinson, Scott Higginbotham, and Radike Samo were non-stop in both attack and defence.
For the Blues, hooker-skipper Keven Mealamu was inspirational, especially when the Reds led 24-nil. He marshalled his troops.
Locks Ali Williams and Anthony Boric were tireless around the park, and won clean lineout ball.
Halves Alby Mathewson and Stephen Brett were constantly sharp and probing, while replacement centre Lachie Munro was close to being the Blues’ best.
And the class wingers – Joe Rokocoko, and Rene Ranger – were always dangerous but contained, until Ranger ranged up for the Blues’ fourth try after the final hooter to clinch two precious points.
This game had everything, including controversial South African referee Jonathan Kaplan, who to his credit, allowed the play to flow. To his continual discredit, the contemptuous way he speaks to the players will never be acceptable.
Just as the Waratah supporters cannot accept the way their team is playing.
But they’re not in a position to tell them how to play, either. Leave that to the Reds-Blues tape.
Your move Jason Allen.
Sprigs
Guest
Agreed about the cheer track. My comment was meant to be a bit tongue-in-cheek. What was worse , though, was the commercialisation. When the screen advises that it is a knock on , it is brought to you by some commercial outfit. Every player is announced with personal sponsor. There are ads on the big screen. The coffees and ice creams are over-priced, and if anybody wants to drink beer out of plastic containers (gross) then I bet they get stung too. It seems perfectly acceptable to boo when the kicker from the other side has a shot at goal. In some ways the game is now just entertainment played by entertainers, many with no local loyalty except to their "franchises". Do we now say the Wallaby franchise and the All Black franchise, as if they are some kind of fast-food entertainment spin off? Sometimes I say: "I am never coming again" but then the game gets good and I can push a lot of this stuff to the back of my mind.
jools-USA
Guest
Hi Can any OZ fanatic help this game-starved ex-Pat & give a link where I could see this classic? Thanks JOOLS-USA
Jerry
Guest
Well, he's certainly pretty brave. But given how often he gets injured, I'm not sure 'hard' is the right word.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Zhenry --- Snoozzzzzzzzzzzzzzzze - your comments are boring to hte limit - same comments, same statements. If you do notl ike it - then try to do something about it --- Kiwis? You give htem a bad name.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Yeah - the same way they beat the Cheetahs --- most of the comments are full of s..t The Super Rugby can have any team winning on a specific day - a large majority of teams are close and dangerous. Wake up - a long way to go. The Reds played well - the Blues played well - as did the Crusaders and Cheetahs. So good luck to all teams - and to the spoils go the victor - and I am a Reds Fan. Cheers
Drop kick
Guest
If the Tahs are so bloody awful how come they have consistently been the highest placed Aust team for the last five years plus? Sure the Reds are having a wonderful season but remind me, when was the last time they made the finals?
Drop kick
Guest
Waratahs- reds rd2- power rugby at it's best
NF
Guest
Pete 'As a rabid rugby fan (especially compared to rugby league) I am disappointed that only 30,000 went to Suncorp for a top-of-the-table clash. Surely we should have had close to a sellout, ie closer to 45 or 50,000? If the Broncos only get 34k to the Storm game being on top of the ladder what makes you think the Reds would get to the 45k to 50k mark it's borderline delusional actually harsh but honest. Come finals time however you would get those crowds at Suncorp.
Johnny-boy
Guest
zhenry
Guest
Oh my god you miserable people!! Yeah I agree. It is not just the AU 'dump on NZ syndrome', I gave up on the corporate media long ago, but I enjoy my rugby, and you might assume the advertisers wish would not be so evident in the sport-rugby write-ups. But No. After years of glancing through Growden's AB/WAL write-ups where you were lucky to see the words AB once, the WALs could have been playing Georgia (as above). To think NZers have sold almost all their media to these guys!!
Moreton Bait
Guest
The Crusaders might well roll both Blues and Reds in future, but it would have helped if they had not first been rolled by the CHEETAHS, even fumbling a chance for a BP at the end. And yes agreed OJ, Fruean was definitely hot and cold in that game, but he wasn't alone
ThelmaWrites
Guest
I miss the rugby. :-( I'm tired of watching NBA. Must get a satellite dish!
Pete
Guest
Because I think rugby needs as much support as it can get right now, especially in its ongoing battle with league for interest, media space, etc etc Comparing the pulling power of the Reds vs say the Broncos at Suncorp is an noteworthy measuring stick for this. Obviously just a personal view / area of interest.
Chris K
Guest
If it were anyone but Darwin stubbie, I'm sure we would have picked it up, but due to the condescending nature of pretty much all his comments, you'll have to forgive us. I guess us aussies don't have a sense of humour
Ben S
Roar Guru
That's fair enough, Jerry, and it's true for my father and older cousins who watched soccer from the 60s until the 90s, but that is the way the sporting world is going now. Incidentally, the soccer team I spend time following is one of the very, very few clubs in the UK that simply does not put up with 'barmy army' antics. Personally I think there's room for everyone, but I agree that there is far too much emphasis on the barmies.
Daniel Robinson
Guest
Ahh the good old days watching Wellington or All Black rugby at the top of the Millard with a 40 knot southerly blasting past you :). Only a true Wellingtonian would understand. I significantly decreased my attendance to Wellington games after it was taken down, the new stadium does not have the same character
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, but I didn't grow up watching those other sports every other Saturday at Athletic Park.
Daniel Robinson
Guest
Reds played very well. The blues were asleep in the first half played much better in the second. The most deserving team won on the day. Congratulations to the reds and their supporters - looking sharp. I was at the game the crowd was pretty good:)
Ben S
Roar Guru
'I agree it’s mysterious the Waratahs are bothering with this.' Bothering with what? What is 'this'? If you mean the style of rugby they play then I suspect it's because they don't have the players to play the way the Reds do. You don't just turn up and decide to chuck the ball about.
Ben S
Roar Guru
I think that's the same with most sports, Jerry.