The musical chairs continue at the Queensland Reds with big name players coming and going this week, and it will be interesting to see how they compete when they host Western Force. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 7.40pm AEDT.
Will Genia has finally returned from his six-month injury, and will run on to captain the side.
He’s been missed.
Despite his absence, the Reds have notched the most running metres of any team in the comp.
This is a misleading stat as the Reds have been clunking along like a jet engine on 98 unleaded, and the return of Genia and his blessed partnership with Quade Cooper should be a shot in the arm for the players and fans.
Of course it’s a real shame their jack-in-the-box Digby Ioane sprung prematurely last weekend, allegedly scrapping with a punter while out in Melbourne.
He’s been given the treatment and joins Shane Watson and friends in the dunce’s corner this week.
Let’s hope he’s not contemplating his future, unlike one of his cricketing compatriots.
Last week the Reds managed to hold out the Rebels 13-23 and take their third win in a row, while the Western Force is off a bye.
Before that the Force produced a resilient effort against the Bulls, where they scrapped and slapped the burly South Africans into some form of stupor. And they almost won the game.
The Force would have loved success at Loftus Versfeld, and they do have a curious habit of winning in South Africa. Not this time though, as they were eventually beaten 36-26.
Tonight the Force will want to improve their tackle percentage and lineout conversion rate, both of which are the worst in the comp.
Their scrummaging will also need improving if they are going to make like honey badgers and take down their more fancied opponents.
The Reds are sitting on 23 wins from 26 games at Suncorp.
The bigger the underdog status, the better the Force tends to perform. Look for an upset.
Join us at 7.40pm AEDT tonight on The Roar, the place to be for live scores and where you can have your say on the go.
Phil Bird
Roar Guru
Aaaaaaaaaand Great call.
Sage
Guest
A loss and now they're a joke. Get your hand off it. Always happy when someone takes bookies money but calm down sunshine. Reds were awful, Cooper had a shocker but all credit to the force. A very solid performance, well done boys.
Phil Bird
Roar Guru
Any time brumbyinbello. Cheers
p.Tah
Guest
Welcome back then!
Malo
Guest
Your right Jeznez the Brumbies are the only team with ticker and a game plan.
Malo
Guest
Reds can join the tahs, force and rebels in the bottom 5 . Won a fortune . Awesome force
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Good haul!
Malo
Guest
Reds are screwwed
Colvin
Guest
Hightackle, Wales to take England easily, proving the win over the AB's was a fluke.
Malo
Guest
Gill like Hooper is a myth bring in George
Malo
Guest
Brumbies are the only team to follow
Hightackle
Guest
No problem. Next time if you want to deny night follows day becuz I "omitted" facts just let me know.
Hightackle
Guest
My god Gold Coast. I just read you dribble. Tell me, where is Australia ranked in world rugby? Tell me who won more games in 2012 than Australia? Tell me who won a higher % of games in 2012? Now tell me how Australia has failed (a relative term)? I am not stupid and I know that Ausies like you are quite unrealistic and expect the ridiculous but please, both of you, dont be so pathetic as to argue that it is not true that Australia won both the 2nd highest % and amount of games. But Im sure in a court of law you standing up and giving your opinion would def hold more weight than actual stats and figures that contradict that stance. Pfft its like arguing with children. "I know you are I said you are but what am I" type stuff.
Malo
Guest
qc is uselless
Malo
Guest
reds are a joke won over $1000 on force at$7.55 you beauty
Malo
Guest
reds are a joke won over $1000 on force at$7.55 you beauty
Now wasn't that fun, I had nothing to do until the Ireland vs Italy match, and this kept me entertained till then, Ireland leading by 3-0 after 11 minutes. Thanks HT ;)
Hightackle
Guest
Wow it took a while but it seems that the facts finally got through to you. Geez it was a bit difficult, I was going to email you a drawing becuz you seemed to struggle a bit with words. But hey if you gather together millions of stats Biltong it might create a magical potion that will change reality. You seemed to have faith in that. And Gold Coast, yeah the 3rd ranked team in the world that won against SA, Arg, Eng, Wal, Ital and drew with NZ has failed. Go to the mirror and whisper....I am a negative fan who clearly does not grasp that international rugby is quite difficult let alone with half the team missing and Mathewson is a scrumhalf not a flyhalf. Repeat. Biltong if you want a diagram I will email you one.
Hightackle
Guest
This is your stance. You are not allowed to do it by year. You are not allowed to do it by game. You are not allowed to give a stat without giving all the other stats Biltong might want to hear even though it does not change the original stat. Giving a stat is manipulating that stat. Not giving all possible stats is manipulating stats. Biltong WTF. Please inform me when you find out what Im allowed to do becuz it seems no matter what, you dont want to hear the fact that NO TEAM BESIDES NZ IN THE TOP 10 WON A HIGHER % OR AMOUNT OF GAMES THAN AUSTRALIA IN 2012.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Oh that last bit, Hightackle, was the best bit! Now, go to the mirror and repeat ...