Welcome to ‘Rugby State of Origin’ Game 2! The Reds fly an hour south from their home defeat, intent to avenge their Round 4 beating, and potentially disrupt the Waratahs final position. Join us here on The Roar from 7:40pm (ADST) for live scores and updates.
This is the second interstate game, pitting the second ranked team versus the 12th-ranked team.
Contributing to the Waratahs’ top ranking are 22 tries from phase one plays. The Reds’ defence is a major factor in their poor standing, conceding the second highest tries – totalling 22.
While the Reds have the second highest average time in possession of the pill, the Waratahs have the second highest number of carries, defenders beaten and offloads. After Richard Graham’s two years as the Reds top coach, his team has delivered the second lowest number of points in the competition.
In their set piece, the Waratahs welcomes two returning players. Their number two, Tatafu Polota-Nau, is back in action after a concussion-related break. Big Will Skelton, is back in action after a two-week suspension following a two-man tackle in their 32 to 22 win versus the Crusaders.
While the Reds have a four to one advantage in lineouts, the scrums will be an interesting battle. In Game 1, the Waratahs starved the Reds from possession by winning the scrum battle.
The wily Benn Robinson delivered a Super Rugby level scrum lesson to Sam Talakai. Today, the equally wily Greg Holmes is tasked to manage him, with the form scrummaging locks and flankers in assistance.
More critical is phase play. In game one, the Reds had more ball, more territory and more time in the redzone. But the Waratahs clocked two times more metres and offloads with three times the clean breaks. This was delivered by the best offloaders in the game this year: Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale. Big Willy is fourth for the entire tournament.
At that time, three of the Reds tight five were missing. Today, Wallabies Rob Simmons, James ‘Big Kev’ Horwill and join potential 2015 Wallaby tight head prop Greg Homes to battle against the team who punished the Reds.
Farewell Reds Players
This is the last game that Horwill and scrumhalf Genia will play for the Reds. This may in fact be their last Super Rugby game, forever. It may be the same for Quade Cooper, if he decides to move to France after this match. If they do not make the cut for the Wallabies, this could also be their last in Australia.
Wallaby matchup
But today, it is state versus state. Big Kev Horwill will pitch against Big Willy Skelton to create time and space for their attackers, and to wreak some maul havoc.
Playmakers Quade Cooper, James O’Connor and Karmichael Hunt will pitch against Michael Foley and Kurtley Beale to broaden their team’s attack window and rip at defensive weaknesses. Their kicking form will also be carefully measured, as they all have been found wanting.
Will Genia’s multi-facted ruckbase and scrumbase ploys will pitch against Nick Phipps’ lightning fast clearances and support play.
A distinct point of difference between the two sides this season, are the centres. Playmaker Kurtley Beale and stalwart Adam Ashley Cooper will pitch against midfield monster Samu Kerevi and playmaker Karmichael Hunt.
I suspect the Waratahs backrow will come in to help, especially from Jacques Potgieter. Adam Thompson will also be ready to expose any loose midfield contests.
A delight highlight will be lightning Liam Gill and lightning Michael Hooper squaring off mano-a-mano on everything seven.
If Hooper and his colleagues do their work properly, then their finishers will go for the kill – in the form of Israel Folau and ‘Big T’ Taqele Naiyaravoro. Correspondingly, if the Reds backs and pack work as one team instead of ‘backs versus pack’ then they may turn their possession into winning points.
While the season is over for the Reds, there is a lot at stake tonight for players and state pride. The bookies believe it is a foregone conclusion with heavy odds against the Reds. If they are to win, the Queenslanders must be able to stop the Waratahs rolling thunder and keep their deadly backs out of their redzone. The Western Force did it, two times. Can the Reds finally do it, after two years of trying?
Join us for live scores of the Waratahs versus the Reds to find out.
RobC
Roar Guru
Folks, heard via GAGR. Word is RG is back next year. http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/fridays-rugby-news-97/ 'trev MM • 4 hours ago just heard word from the Reds staff meeting. They're keeping Graham as coach and surrounding him with more coaches and signing at least four big names to the players roster'
ThugbyFan
Guest
Thanks RobC, I pretty much agree with you. Just wanted to ensure my blue eyes weren't tainted with bias. :)
John
Guest
Good call.
Sandy B
Guest
Would've, should've, could've. Face up to it... Bonus points are part of the game. Even the NH use them! If your team can't score tries or lose narrowly....tough!
RobC
Roar Guru
cheers bennalong Its finals. Anyone can beat anyone.
RobC
Roar Guru
cheers TFan, my opinion re K? K has played a 'supporting' playmaker role, putting players through holes, or taking space / drawing D. We rarely see him break tackles or in space. When with the pill, he is regularly in traffic. I don't think we've seen enough for a WB spot. Last night, he was v good. But its apparent the Reds are not as fit as the Tahs.
ThugbyFan
Guest
RobC, That's one down for the week, now to finish off Queensland's year in the SoO. :)
ThugbyFan
Guest
Could be Canes vs Chiefs for 3 times out of 5 matches if the Chiefs beat Tahs in the semi. Either way I think the Final will be a cracker and likely to be Canes vs either Tahs or Chiefs. No true rugby fan could complain at any of those matches, they all make one salivate. The fixtures for season was awry with Canes and Chiefs booked to play against each other twice in the last three weeks. They will be sick of the sight of each other and I bet the AB coaching staff are on their knees praying for no more injuries.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Nice touch RobC. Between the tears, your try scoring sequences are spot on and pretty to read for a Tah's fan. I thought Q.Cooper played a pretty good game considering his pack of piggies were being belted from about 30 min mark although B.Foley easily won the 5/8 "battle" by KO. What did you think of K.Hunt's play last night? If he hadn't lost games through all that cocaine mess his potential had him as a special for the WB squad as backup to Izzy. So far lots of promise but seems to struggle picking up the nuances of rugby backline play.
bennalong
Guest
Good commentary Rob C I especially appreciate the summaries! Despite all the criticisms the Tahs ARE the clear winners of the Oz conference and can beat the Canes in Wellington. The canes disposed of the Chiefs and are way ahead in the points. The Tahs will have to lift to beat the winner of the Chiefs v Highlanders but I expect them to do it at home. The Canes at home, (Can't see the Brums or Stormers winning in Wellington) will be a bigger ask but if the Tahs are able to keep the Canes in check with heavy defence and get their attack through the Canes' D they can repeat the earlier dose. (I suppose this is the bleedin' obvious) I'm not over confident but I'll go to Wellington for the chance to celebrate back to back!
RobC
Roar Guru
cheers riddler. Hope the beach was good.
RobC
Roar Guru
cheers DC.
RobC
Roar Guru
RT. Heartbreak year. Queensland Rugby fans around the world should be both sad and mad. This should include all Queenslanders who are playing for other sides including in Canberra, Perth, Melbourne, Europe, Japan, Christchurch, and Sydney. There is no state pride in SR15. Only a bunch of proud technocrats who don't know how to inspire and guide a squad of top players, amongst the finest in the world, to play well. Lets not even talk about winning. If you are a battling Queenslander, you should know what I mean.
Zero Gain
Guest
That is just plain wrong. The Reds had a very dominant scrum early in the match. Those penalties were completely correct and there should have been at least two more later that went, incorrectly, to the Tahs.
Zero Gain
Guest
Yes, he was good, at last. I thought he might have been a good buy, having seen him play as far back as his Churchie days. I think his drug charges derailed his season. Pity, but I would get rid of him if they can.
RobC
Roar Guru
KB was injured
RobC
Roar Guru
Reds #1 – 77' (31-5): QC right corner try – unconverted - Consolation try. though excellent raiding sequence by the Reds from their C zone Redzone entry: > The Reds attack is repelled again in Tahs 23m > Reds sloppy halfway LO win, rescued by Frisby > Beaut, interplay by QC and K draws 3 midfield Tahs and exposes a huge centrefield hole > Turner runs through it and passes to Gill > Gill pops the pill off the deck at halfway to Thompson who raids the Tahs territory > Samu K, one on one with Chapman. He 'Steve Renouf's Chapman with a power fend and decks him > Jono takes Samu to touch, who throws the pill in. > Phipps reaches out for it and KOs Scoring Sequence: > Reds win their leftside 22m scrum. QC passes to Gill, who draws a few > QC wraps around right. Gill to Turner who is hammered > Ball popped out, QC who has moved right grubbers forward off the deck > Foley kicks it back instinctively, to QC who picks up, still moving right > QC has 3 Tahs defenders inside him, threatens to pass to Chris K inside him, holding off Hoops from going for the tackle > QC puts on the gas and denies Hoops from making his 15th tackle of the day
RobC
Roar Guru
Waratahs #4 – 72' (31-0): Mumm midleft try – CONVERTED - Soft try let in by Reds off a soft-penalty Redzone entry: > Big Kev pinged for offside D. Not rushing but pushed off early thinking the ball was cleared. Soft penalty > Tahs kick for the right corner, instead of going for three points. Paid off Scoring Sequence: > Chapman just wins the LO at 10m > Hooper midright hitup, followed up another Big T centrefield ramming > Paddy gets a quick cycle and runs an 45 degree midleft run drawing 3/4 defenders, threatening to score > Mumm runs the same angle, past a tired Big Kev who moved off the D line to take Mumm > Mumm brushes past Kev and dots the try > Somewhat similar to a Messam try against the Reds (and Kev). Except Messam was faster and used a tigther angle.
RobC
Roar Guru
Waratahs #3 – 67' (24-0): McKibbin midright try – CONVERTED - After a 10' tussle where both sides attack are TOd, Tahs make it to the Reds 35m centre - Their attack is stopped and a Tahs scrum is called - Sanchez steps off the field. Last game for the Reds Redzone entry: > Post scrum, Tahs ball moves right to Folau and his winger, who reach 25m. > Reds D is tired and flat, too many panting players on Folau's side > After a Mumm hitup, Foley threatens to move to the other side where there's space > Instead he steps past a flatfooted Simmons inside shoulder, who was starting to move to the vulnerable open field > Simmons inside shoulder is more vulnerable with a big gap between him and Fingers > Foley was through a yawning hole runs deep into the redzone Scoring Sequence: > McKibbin in support and dots an easy try > Simmons was replaced after THAT's the game and conference win sewn up.
RobC
Roar Guru
Waratahs #2 – 57′ (17-0): JackPot rightside try – CONVERTED Redzone entry: > Hanson comes off the field. Last game for the Reds > Samu K almost gets a TO, but KOs for a Tahs scrum > Izzy gets the ball off a AAC cycle at 40m > Reds D, with one man down, is stretched to their left > Izzy runs 35m through Gill who misses a side on tackle attempt. Big Kev too. > Izzy draws 3 players who are backpeddling and is downed 5m from the tryline Scoring Sequence: > Rightside pass at 5m by Phipps off Izzy's lightning cycle. > Jackpot with Big T to his right rail, takes on a backfooted Tuner and scores his first SR15 try