The 14th-placed Rebels take on the 12th-placed Reds in a nothing-to-lose encounter at AAMI Park. Join us for live scores from 7:40pm AEST.
Both teams will be wearing indigenous jerseys as a nod to the sport’s indigenous players. This of course means there’s going to be more colour than a Bulls versus Stade Francais exhibition match; we’ll be in for a treat.
The last time these two teams met, the Reds lost 27-30 at home and there was an eye gouging claim. They’ll still be smarting from that game.
Returning for this match, and on a high from the recent Wallabies campaign will be skipper James Horwill, Rob Simmons and James Slipper, who are all starting for the Reds. Will Genia’s recent ankle surgery has sidelined him for the rest of the season, prompting comment from Reds coach Richard Graham, “Someone mentioned to me yesterday that it is the first time since 2008 that neither Will (Genia) or Quade (Cooper) have been in the Reds starting line-up.”
It will be interesting to see how the new pairing go, in Nick Frisby and Ben Lucas. Anthony Fainga’a slots in as vice-captain.
The player to look out for at the Rebels is Jason Woodward, the 24-year-old fullback. His form this year has been lightning. Captain Scott Higginbotham will be looking to have a canter after a quiet gig at the Wallabies this past month.
In terms of attack the Reds are middle of the pack, with two tries per game. They struggle to make clean breaks, ahead of only the Bulls on three per game, and are near the bottom of the table in terms of running metres and defenders beaten. Their attacking game has been on a steady decline since the highs of 2011, in line with the form Genia and Cooper.
The Rebels generally sit in the middle of the pack for attacking stats, except for tries scored, where they’re curiously thin on the ground. Their average of one try per game has them second lowest in the competition, above only the Lions.
Their defence, however, is top rate in terms of contact converting into tackles. Their set pieces are solid, they’re very good at turning rucks into possession. Add to this they know how to offload.
But the stat you can’t measure is the energy output. This Rebels outfit is a live wire and you never know which way they’re going to go.
Let’s find out.
Join The Roar at 7.40pm AEST tonight on The Roar and be sure to leave your comments below.
Watch the highlights :)
Phil Bird
Roar Guru
Cheers RobC, bigbaz Good to have you guys involved
BB
Guest
Is Gill now a bench player for the reds, he must be fit or wouldn't be in the 7's squad?
swifty
Guest
you must have missed the giant rainbow pass of frisby before the first try. he's good but his best day and will genia's best day are a mile apart. lucas is a good half and better than foley but cooper is on another level
Bear
Guest
Are you serious? The reds look so much better with Frisby and Lucas.
Anto
Guest
Oops, correct. State of Origin season and all that....
RobC
Roar Guru
Calling it as I see it. This game was won by the Reds forwards, patient halves. Most metres and tries scored by multi-phases keeping the ball, keeping it in the middle, getting the defence on the back foot. QC and WG in recent games moves the ball too wide too early in the phase count, and pushing passes. The issue isnt talent, its intent.
Anto
Guest
OK, so which "great players" have they signed up? Simple question. No answer.
Zero Gain
Guest
Not a bad summary until your silly comment about QC and Genia. With them on deck the Reds would have put 60 on the Rebels tonight.
Woodsman
Guest
Taulagi is a turnstile in every game he has played. Davies, best game ever. Benny Lucas did well and greg holmes' gadget arm got away a few great passes. Bad luck shippers, that looked like a nasty break.
Mattocks
Guest
Call was made by assistant ref.
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Phil
RobC
Roar Guru
Reds: smart and strong game. Three key advantages: 1. Horwill. Runs, tackles, maul, lineouts. Best game since vs Chiefs 2013 2. Lineouts: + mauls helped by penalties killed the Rebs in the 1st half 3. Last and not least Defence: no lapses in normal play. Tries by Rebels were from turnover, broken play. Gill has to work hard to win the #7 from Robinson. Halves: forcing the game in the middle. Only moving wide when it was on. Frisby: rush of blood again leading to Rebels try. Did it once before earlier in the season. Costly, if I recall Kerevi: 20yo. this guy will be dangerous. Effective in the ruck. Defence not bad but needs work Reds 2nd time to play w/either QC, WG missing. Picks up another win. Seems to work Rebs: - Scrum good. Lineout bad. - Not outgunned. But outpinged in the first half. - Good counter attack, to score the three tries
RobC
Roar Guru
Loyal Tah Fan
Guest
I missed the game, can someone fill me in on the details? Were the reds awesome or rebels poor or a bit of both? Good to see a struggling team stand up. Really killed me in the tipping though. Well done reds, let's hope an injury riddled brumbies doesn't do the same.
Sandy B
Guest
probably the QRL couldnt care less - maybe you mean the QRU?
bigbaz
Roar Guru
I basically agree with you but RG should be first to go.
redder than kevin
Guest
with all due respect, I think they are sweeping a broom through the place and they are not top shelf players. It would free up a bit of cash for a play at some great players. Genia would be my next to go. He is on serious coin and not performing.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Yep, thanks mate
Anto
Guest
So, let's have a count of the personnel who the pathetic QRL will be letting go at the end of this year: Rod Davies Albert Anae Mike Harris Dom Shipperley Jono Owen All good,quality SR players. Who in the hell are they going to replace them with? Premier grade guys? James O'Connor? C'mon! Once again, the QRL are their own worst enemy.