On Saturday night the Reds fell into a trap that caused them to draw with the Force.
The Force defended admirably, and had periods of efficient and enjoyable play, but were not able to make the running for the vast majority of the 80 minutes.
It was the same tactical and positional errors by the Reds that consigned the better team to a draw against the Brumbies a fortnight ago as well.
In that game the Reds spurned chanced to kick for goal for trying to score tries. They attempted to score by either mauling the ball from lineouts or using pick and drive tactics right next to the ruck from close.
In that match they had 12 minutes of possession inside the Brumbies 22 metre line. Against the Force that was ‘only’ seven or so minutes. I say ‘only’ because the Force didn’t have anywhere near that much and still managed to score as many points.
It’s hard to work out exactly what the Reds have been trying to achieve; mostly because they took almost every shot at goal last week when they held on to beat the Blues in a very close game.
If rugby were politics this would be decried as hypocrisy. In business it would appear to be uncertain leadership. In rugby it’s the difference between a three-point lead at the top of the ladder and the first wildcard place.
Coming off the back of the Brumbies game that was particularly brutal and hard fought, the Reds were always going to struggle to handle the Blues and only just pulled off a victory there. Many people commented on how tired they looked – in particular Liam Gill.
Beau Robinson was drafted onto the bench, finally back from injury, this week and it would have been hoped that he would add energy to the pack late in the piece.
But overall they weren’t able to fire against the Force. This makes the stubborn decision to stick with the forward-oriented play even more erroneous.
Ignoring kicks for goal was one thing – you’re allowed to set your sights on a try, they are worth more too – but why the insistence on using a tired pack to carry out a tired moves that didn’t work previously and everyone could see coming a mile away?
Making matters worse was the fact Quade Cooper and Digby Ioane had been performing brilliantly all night. The very reason they spent so much time inside the attacking 22 was because Cooper kept finding room and Ioane kept charging down his line like a man possessed.
It wasn’t such a different story against the Brumbies either if you watch the tape. There were some Brumbies mistakes, but it wasn’t a war of attrition through kicking and rucking that saw the Reds camp inside the attacking area so often.
Cooper had a very good game; Ioane, Anthony Fainga’a and Rod Davies were also very willing. They were able to move the ball down the field using a mixture of drive and width.
Why, exactly, do they believe completely changing their approach, after it successfully put them in position to score, is the best way to score?
Giving the ball to Cooper inside the 22 metre area against the Force looked good the few times they used that option. He almost put players through holes and was making defenders question assignments.
Crucially, Cooper was going to the line and playing at top speed, something that took a while to come back after his injury.
McKenzie has been treated as a sage of Australian rugby for a few years now, but I think he’s missed a trick. This team doesn’t need to do much too differently to the one that won the championship a few years ago.
It’s true: the depth in the Reds squad might not be quite as good as that time round, but it’s not far off. They have the pieces to do something special.
The thing is, the Reds could actually win this again. There isn’t the same ‘Team of Destiny’ feel about them, and more would have to break the right way, but they are a competition contender.
The Reds could beat the Brumbies in a one-off finals match. They certainly have the game plan to get a win against the Crusaders, Bulls and Sharks based on previous performance. Even the Chiefs find it hard to contain their patented inside-outside game when it is used well.
I have to assume McKenzie realises this. Could he have lost a bit of perspective after winning in 2011? Is there internal friction between the departing ‘director of coaching’ and the actual Head Coach Richard Graham?
McKenzie, what have you been trying to prove? Don’t lay a trap for yourself and then walk into it.
GWS
Guest
Statistics and lies. 2011 reds were playing footy the tahs could not imagine
Worlds biggest
Guest
Poignant piece EP, the Reds need to ramp it up or they could miss the semi's altogether. Sharks this weekend and then away to SA for 2 weeks. There is enough about there squad to be in the mix but now need to step up a couple of notches.
Red Block
Guest
One big problem for the Reds is that Taps, Ant F and Jono Lance are all really inside centres. None of them really strike fear in opponents with their speed. With the Reds pockets flush with funds after Digby et al left, who will they chase off season? Kurtley? Bring Israel back home? Or develop Jonah Placid and buy a speedy 13 from somewhere. Some thinking for the Reds brains trust to do.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Well that is against every impression I have from the Wallabies under Graham. I thought our backs did absolutely nothing under his guidance at that level, and honestly, I have grave fears for the future of the Reds under his head coaching. Happy to be proved wrong... in time I guess.
Sprigs
Guest
My dilemma..shall I fork out and go to see the game against the Sharks this week? If the Reds can't guarantee me tries, can they at least guarantee they will take the points on offer and boot the penalties over?
DT
Guest
Frustrating to watch as a part time Reds fan
Positive Rugby
Guest
Reds tactics were questionable but both the Brumbies and the Force used tactics that were illegal at the breakdown. Referees are very inconsisent with breakdown infringements, often going from strict application of the rules to allowing a free for all in the same game.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
Graham is the defensive coach for the Reds so I doubt he's affecting the attacking patterns much. It should also be noted that G&GR did a piece on the Wallaby attack potency and the Wallabies improved dramatically when Graham was in charge of the attack and have been consistently worse since Deans took on the role. If I had to guess McKenzie is in charge of attack this year at the Reds (I honestly don't know so if someone does please post the information) - maybe head coaches (sorry, Directors of Coaching) have too much on their plate to devote enough time to attacking patterns.
moaman
Roar Guru
Elisha.....If you think back to the Reds-Blues match,it was the kiwi side that played all the rugby,wave after wave of attack inside the Reds' 22 and (despite my urging) failed to position for a dropgoal that could have won them the game. It seems the Think-Tank at the Reds.and Horwill should be scrutinised here too--have failed to learn from their last few matches. All this would worry me were I a reds/Australian fan ;-) ps Nice to read a thread not dominated by speculation on theLions series.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Couldn't swinging the ball wide a bit more instead of going pick and drive again been a necessary evil as well? I know slick backline moves inside the 22 arent pure rugby but the Reds could have used a couple, reluctantly of course, and probably secured two more wins than they currently have this year.
formeropenside
Guest
For "compliant" perhaps substitute "one who has read the rulebook".
formeropenside
Guest
What did I think of 12-11 over the Blues - a necessary evil. They really swarmed the breakdown well, and mostly legally, so I could see the point of kicking goals, especially after the events of the previous week. Who are Barcelona? I did not think the Spanish were terribly good at rugby, despite making a RWC.
Rob
Guest
When the reds won the comp, the player with the most kicks in the season was quade cooper. Morne steyne was 2. And genia was 3rd. They had 2 players in the top 3 most kicks in the whole super comp..... Yet apparently the waratahs are the ones incessantly kicking. Even now the same predictable rubbish is being spruiked (mostly by tahs own fans)
Elisha Pearce
Expert
I dont think its that extreme fos. Dont get me wrong, I think the Reds should have won both of those games. What did you think of kicking goals to beat the Blues. This line of inquiry can very easily become similar to the Barcelona "beautiful game" battle lines where everyone else is unworthy if they dont try to beat them using the same game plan.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
I dont think they were playing for a penalty either. Its the strategy they use to try and score a try that is most worrying.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Great post. Whats more negative? A) Kicking your goals B) Playing a belligerent style that has requires a compliant ref to be successful.
Shrek
Guest
I think that's a contributing factor (the Force were certainly dour last year), but what I'm surprised isn't brought up in commentary more often is the forwards oriented game plan McKenzie implemented as Waratahs coach through the middle of the last decade - we were crying for attacking footy and the Tah's teams of the day would boot the leather off the ball only to allow the Crusaders superior forward pack rumble over the top of us. I think Link has been fantastic for the Reds, but he is the ultimate pragmatist and I suspect that he is still firmly supportive of a forwards oriented game if he doesn't think his backs can create enough space. Whey they wouldn't have backed themselves against the force though, I don't know? Is this Horwill's on field leadership?
Hoy
Roar Guru
I don't see them as playing for a penalty. I think they are genuinely going for a try, but they are countered to varying degrees. The Brumbies countered them rather cynically, and gave away multiple penalties. I didn't catch the Force game, so I can't comment too much, but I have read they were obviously countered. Oddly, I was pretty impressed this year with the Reds mauling. It is good work. But I agree, it shouldn't be the absolute tactic to use. It should be a possibility... But I wrote yesterday, I think the Reds backs lack punch. Except for Digby, who of them can bust the line? Quade can create half chances, he needs his backs to bust through them...
Cantab
Guest
Yeah good comment Fin.
Lunchy
Guest
Total agreement from me Chris. Is the Reds current style of play influenced by the incoming coach Richard Graham? If it is 2014 is going to be a tough season for Reds fans. Currently the backs play well to get field position and then are given the bench while the pack constantly pick and drive hoping for a penalty. Not the style of play they used in 2011.