Match Result
One weird game Reds dominate it in the second half by getting scrum after scrum in the second half. They had 63% field position for the game which pretty much sums up how bad the Force truly were.
The Reds first try was all class and it set up a good second half, virtually no fight from the Force all game, poor tactics and spending a week on the Gold Coast truly showed. A reality check. Genia controlled the game well and Thomson and Gill were great around the breakdown.
A penalty try early in the second half showed the dominance of the Reds.
Frisby solid as the stand in fly half and Kerevi excellent without being over the top. Big question marks over the Force set pieces, Charles and Tessman were rubbish. Injuries to Alcock and Van Wyk sum up a poor night, Horwill and Slipper also suffered some injuries.
All in all a tough night, this one certainly won’t be re-watched by many, perhaps Reds’ fans but not many else.
Reds 18 defeated Force 6
Match Preview
The Reds will have to put the humiliation of last week behind them as they face the Western Force, who pulled off a stunning upset against the defending champions last week. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7:20pm AEDT.
Last week the Reds were dreadful in their 47-3 loss at the hands of the Brumbies in Canberra. They showed no attacking flare and their forwards were dominated by a clinical Brumbies pack.
On Sunday the Force were superb in their 25-13 victory over the Waratahs. It was a great sign for the Force who were missing key players, and showed heart to defeat the number one side in the league.
For the Reds both Jamie-Jerry Tuilagi and flyhalf Duncan Paia’aua have been ruled out of this week’s game, while Ed O’Donoghue has also been sidelined with a knee injury.
Reds fans will get their first look at James O’Connor in a competitive game, and he will slide into the flyhalf role after Karmichael Hunt was demolished by the Brumbies last week.
Hunt moves to fullback and former All Black Adam Thomson will add some much needed grunt to the Queensland line up.
With O’Connor at flyhalf the Reds should have some more fluency in attack. Samu Kerevi nearly scored a try against the Brumbies and looked dangerous when he was given the opportunity, if the Reds can get some decent possession he will be a key to win.
For the Force Pek Cowan has been cleared of serious injury after being stretchered off last week against the Waratahs, but he is unlikely to take his place. Matt Hodgson and Nick Cummins are also unlikely to play.
Sias Ebersohn put in a comprehensive performance against the Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley last week, but he had some shaky goal kicking so there is still room for improvement.
Matches between these two sides are split at five and five with one draw. At home the Reds lead the force 4-2 but the two losses to the Force have come in the last two games at Suncorp. Last season the Force took a clean-sweep of the Reds winning 32-29 in Brisbane and 30-20 in Perth.
The last six of eight matches between these two have been decided by 10 points or less. Four of the last eight have produced a margin of four points or less, so this game should be close. The Reds won three games in eight at home last season in what was a disappointing year.
The Reds have the team to beat the Force but it all depends on whether or not they turn up. Will Genia and James Horwill looked uninterested last week, with Horwill in particular shocking – as a leader of this team he needs to do better.
The Force could get their season off to the perfect start with a second consecutive road win but they need to bring the same effort from last week.
Prediction: Reds by 3.
formeropenside
Guest
go watch league
RobC
Roar Guru
Genetics man! Its all bio-engineered btw, you'll find typos littered across almost all my comments. I have severe case of dyxlesia :)
Woodsman
Guest
Campbell Magnay looking very fresh for a 180 year old, Rob!
RT
Guest
And that attitude is why we get towelled up in the set pieces when we go to Europe. Maybe you should watch league.
RobC
Roar Guru
Some bloggers here on the roar thought the same with other home games. Away teams getting a better rub of the green. Not a complaint, only an observation. Something to do with the home advantage and one-sided-reffing pointed out from last year
RT
Guest
I was at the game. The crowd thought the ref was very poor and far to lenient on the Force. I'm a Tahs supporter living in Qld and I thought the ref was ordinary and very much in the forces favour.
Woodsman
Guest
They certainly got through alot of work together and look like a very balanced 6/7 pairing we've been missing.
Woodsman
Guest
I think because he was part of the initial ruck but never retreated to last feet before playing at the ball. So pinged for playing the ball from an offside position rather than hands in the ruck.
Woodsman
Guest
Curse of the Wallabies too. Unless we completely blow other teams off the ball it will always be our fault.
Adsa
Guest
Well done Nick Styles, it was not pretty but it got a win.
RobC
Roar Guru
Did you see the Gloucester Leicester game? - The scrum pushed forward - The defending team walked backward around 10m - No penalty, then the ball was cleared - much like a maul. Same thing happened in the Cairns trial, when the Reds pushed the Rebs scrum back around 5m. Rebs marched back, then the Reds cleared it out. There's nothing wrong with the basic principles of the scrum. The problem lies in the losing scrummagers refusal to backpeddle. The Force refused to move back, despite the clear Reds dominance. They were lucky not to get their second YC
Jameswm
Guest
Yeah the Force struggle to make the play.
Squirrel
Guest
The force have proved they are not contenders.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
"....but no one likes to watch it reset 1000 times" Old props do :)
toa
Guest
Well done!! What is it with you QLDers? When it looks like everythings against you another gear gets found!!
RobC
Roar Guru
I kinda liked the first try. 1. Force line out win, in Reds 35m right - Genia harrases. Kotze harrases - The Talakai COUNTER RUCKS, with Saia and Thompson - Genia picks up the TO ball 2. Genia huge box - 180yo 100keg Cam Magnay chases instinctively - Thats a Juial Savea special - Pressures the back 3 3. Kicked to an open Chris K with SamuK CFS Turner Genia Gill with him. Five points! Before that: - Force steals Saia's throw - Ruck forward, perfectly stable - Cam Mag punches through against 112kg Mafi, and knocks him off the ruck!
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Cyclones tend to give people more important things to do than go to suncorp stadium.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I enjoyed watching the scrum dominance. I value true rugby and all its facets. The reds showed the scrum is a weapon not just to restart play. It was enthralling the pressure being put on and seeing if force could hold out. The ref should of yellow carded though.
ethan
Guest
Nick Briant is a whistle happy referee. Him + boggy field = nightmare.
ethan
Guest
Worst ever. Good luck finding highlights. Reds scrum deserves credit, but no one likes to watch it reset 1000 times! I wonder how much game time was lost to scrums? I would be very surprised if it was less than 30 mins. I understand why the reds tactically played the way they did and they were smart tactics. Boggy surface, lack of a number 10, but it certainly wasn't good to watch. I can't remember a worse game to watch.