The Queensland Reds have shown little indication that they will bounce back from a disastrous 2015 season after being crushed 31-3 by the Crusaders in a Super Rugby trial at Ballymore on Saturday night.
After going into half-time three points in front, a penalty try, two scores from George Bridge and one from Jordan Taufua eventually left the Reds well in arrears.
It was certainly not the confidence booster Richard Graham’s team have hoped for three weeks before their season starts against the NSW Waratahs.
Three minutes before halftime, the Crusaders almost went in front when Sean Wainui was denied by a fine tackle from Samu Kerevi.
Five minutes after the break, a penalty try was awarded when Chris Kuridrani tipped away Mitchell Drummond’s pass to Bridge, who was waiting on the left wing to touch down.
Richie MoUnga, who came on at half-time at fly-half for Ben Volavola, notched the conversion from under the posts.
Bridge scored again on the stroke of three-quarter time, latching on to MoUnga’s grubber kick in the in-goal area after concerted pressure from the Crusaders.
Five minutes later, the winger weaved inside two would-be tacklers before scoring, after another pass from MoUnga.
Taufau dived over with six minutes remaining, and MoUnga converted for a fourth time, later adding a penalty to cap a performance that suggests he may have a lead on Volavola for the right to succeed Dan Carter in the Crusaders’ number ten jersey.
john
Guest
Quote Richard Graham " I want more evidence of three measures – execution under pressure, physical conditioning and work ethic – in the second and final trial against the Brumbies " .
Hoges5
Roar Rookie
Let's be honest - it was a trial and was played that way. Reds looked solid in the first half, and the scrum was impressive. Second half was development players (read Schoolboys) against All Blacks ......nuf said. Not saying Reds are world beaters, but were ok and showed some spark in the first half although the backline is still not functioning properly. I would be interested to see if the Crusaders thought they got anything out of the second half. They were really tested in the first.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
;)
Marto
Guest
As i said last week, if RG trots out Jake Schatz at 8 we will get thumped...We got THUMPED ...
Bakkies
Guest
MOC Ball kicking in early?
omen
Guest
Isn't bird --- good luck?
dru
Roar Rookie
He arrived just a couple of days ago. Cant speak English well, and has no time to build combinations. Give the bloke a chance to ease in. Maybe the next trial, but depending on his condition (he is playing endless season competition rugby right now) they might hold him back a few weeks. Thats OK.
dru
Roar Rookie
A first in history? Come on. What we are seeing is a struggling Reds but not struggling the way many comments are suggesting. But re-reading your comment "this result means nothing". Yep Im with you.
CUW
Guest
I think BRIDGE is from the u20 side of 2015. is he in the crusaders squad?? maybe a stand in for jack Goodhue...
Not Bothered
Guest
You may think so but you would be wrong. It means absolutely nothing. It reminds me of the NAB cup, which is a comp held before the AFL season, not trials but often treated that way. One year the team that won the NAB cup then finished absolute last in the AFL season. From topping the comp in the preseason to finishing dead last in the regular season. If it means something then its a first in the history of sport imo.
Not Bothered
Guest
What does the dictionary say about context?
AJ
Guest
Why wasn't Goromaru playing?
grapeseed
Guest
Thanks
nmpcart
Guest
Didn't really look like scoring a try at any point unfortunately.
RubberLegs
Guest
The Reds scrum was totally dominant in the first half: Talakai, Ready, Daly, Simmons, Neville, Fakaosilea, Shatz and Gill. In the second half, the Crusaders seemed to win all the scrums and lineouts and they stole the Reds ball at every outher ruck. The Reds have a good team somewhere in the squad but in 2015 it seemed like they let the opposing coach make the selections. Why play Greene at fullback when he is an excellent #10?
dru
Roar Rookie
PS Schatz at 8 had some bright sparks but though 6/7 looked flat. (Includes Gill unfortunately.)
dru
Roar Rookie
Yeah I think so. We can confirm that the Reds in all likelihood will not challenge the Aussie conference. Focussing on the first half, in the wet - We can also say from the A team (frist two quarters of the game) minus first selection injuries such as Slipper, Douglas, Holmes, are looking very solid in the set piece. Reds look to have depth in the front row, and even locks Matwijou looked OK in parts. Good to see Neville calling the line outs when Simmo came off. The backline has talent but is confused. McIntyre looks comfortable at 10 but he's a distributor not a playmaker. Takes the line on nicely and is flat. So its baffling to see Hunt at 15 not at the centers, more so to see Green in the B team as 15 not 10. We can leave the C squad 10 Mack out this season. Remember Goromaru is in the wings. Some spark was created with Hunt coming into the line, not enough to give a balanced line given we had Taefu and Kerevi in the centers and Kuridrani in the B team. Maybe the B 12, Paia' needs to be in the A squad. Not ideal but might be better if we stick with the irritating experiment of Hunt at 15. An element of playmaking outside of McIntyre. The ex-NRL Nabuli at 11 looked better than we are entitled to expect. A McIntyre-Nabuli combination looms. McIntyre-Hunt is constrained with Hunt at 15. Defense shape was OK. But will be better tested on a dry track. The B squad is a long way off. Both Fingers did nothing to suggest they dont belong in the Bs.
dru
Roar Rookie
Daley Ready Talakai. Essentially the 16, 2 and 17. Scrum dominated with these guys on. Rucks looked OK too.
grapeseed
Guest
Hilariously demoralizing. Like a metaphor. Anyone know who the starting / bench front row for the Reds were?
pjm
Roar Rookie
3? Reds took a penalty goal? FFS.