The Reds have gotten their season started the right way, with a two-point win over the Sharks on home soil.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Reds 28
Sharks 26
South Africa’s Sharks head to Brisbane to play the Reds in the first night of the 2017 Super Rugby season. Join The Roar from 8pm (AEDT) for all the action.
After arguably the best recruitment drive in the comp, the Reds are looking to show the Suncorp faithful they have turned the corner after several underwhelming seasons.
Seeing Stephen Moore, Scott Higgenbotham, Quade Cooper and George Smith included in this year’s side certainly creates an expectation that the Queenslanders can give it a shake, and help bring back the crowds.
The Sharks have their own ambitions and an away win to kick the competition off will be like gold. They certainly have the experience and talent to do so, led by a Springbok half combination in Cobus Reinach and captain Pat Lambie.
Seemingly injury cursed in the past few seasons, the Sharks have the luxury of picking from almost their full squad and will want to make the most of it away from home.
While there will be some rust in the early stages of the season, both teams should present a solid set piece and the game is most likely to be decided on who can gel the best early on.
The Reds will likely use the ball more, allowing their exciting backs freedom to operate. If Samu Kerevi can get himself into the game, the home side could have a field day. Cooper will no doubt provide his backline with plenty of opportunities and the youthful Sharks back contingent could be in for a long night.
The Sharks however have plenty of speed out wide of their own, and if the Reds are sloppy in their execution, the visitors will benefit. Reinach and Lambie will control the match as much as possible, playing for territory and forcing the Reds to make the play in the match.
How Cooper and Lambie direct their sides around the park will have a huge bearing on the outcome, while the Sharks’ up-and-coming openside, Jean-Luc du Preez, will relish his opportunity to pit himself against the legendary Smith.
Tip
Home advantage and a better bench should see the Queenslanders home.
Reds by 12.
Join The Roar from 8pm as we cover all the action live, and don’t forget to have your say in the comments below.
RobC
Roar Guru
Agree! More music I can sing to: "Flatward Mac"
Suzy Poison
Guest
A win is win. So well done the Reds. Like I said it was expected. But a 2 point win against average opposition, does not really impress me. The Sharks are not a bad team, just not a great team either. I agree the Reds are an improved side, but the jury is out if they will make the finals. Maybe the Reds will improve with time together, but based on tonight's performance, I can't see them beating many non Australian sides away from home, and I will be surprised if they manage to beat any Kiwis sides. Perhaps the best thing to say, is the Reds have my attention, and I wait and watch to see if they are on the up.
grapeseed
Guest
Settle down Rob, it was only a tiny bit forward, hardly forward at all. I'm going to call it "flatward".
Joey Johns
Roar Guru
Damn right that penalty against Smith in the lineout was incorrect. I expect that referee to be torn a new one in the post match review because he was bloody shocking.
ethan
Guest
Nice summary Rob, yes it was almost a South African game plan from us - albeit with a bit more flashiness in the backs through Cooper. Makes sense with the pack we've got. I don't mind it - just nice to see us have a plan and look competent with it, much better than previous years.
RobC
Roar Guru
Just watched it. Reds attacking by playing and passing around the contact area. They will get better. It was all about the pack - They took on the Sharks on in the breakdown and won that battle. Handsomely. - Shows the importance of a forwards coach to lead the Reds - Simmons. Had a big hand in the 1st two tries. Dropped a few though. I think he will get better. - Whoooo Higgers!!!!!! Backs should have piled on at least 2 more tries plus at least 5 kicking points. But good job in the end keeping the pill on the Sharks pinned in their half, and finding Samu. Duncan P had a horrid time in midfield D. If it continues may need to bring Samu one in, Special to 13. Duncan fullback. Bit like the ABs. Good combo of Reds tries 1. Pick and go to score. Power and grit 2. 1st phase from scrum base, after a Simmo / Smith barrage into the red zone 3. My favourite. Everyone had a hand. Bullied the Sharks 4. Classic Reds B-zone try, except it was 3rd phase. v cool. Forward pass though.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Yeah but even when the Reds are playing well the Sharks can get em. The semi finals at Ballymore in 1996 and Suncorp in 2012 being cases in point.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Not a bogey team for the Reds mate, just a better team on average bar 2011. The Sharks usually finish higher on the table in general .... ;-)
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Yeah the Sharks are a bit of a bogey team for the Reds. But not tonight.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Oh please if that was a swinging arm I'm a hippopotamus. He was attempting to wrap his arms in a textbook tackle. The winger is barely even off the ground. He's almost dived into the tackle then carried on as if iron Mike just rocked him with an uppercut
DaniE
Roar Guru
Superbru and syndicate picks, mate ?
grapeseed
Guest
Ewen's looking much younger these days!
Celtic334
Guest
Yep, the reds bench won that game Rodda especially was impressive. To think a few people thought I was crazy when I suggested the other day Simmons and Douglas might not finish the season as starting lock combos. Once again both solid verging on pedestrian instead of solid verging on impressive. Ready impressive again
Celtic334
Guest
Yep, the reds bench won that game Rodda especially was impressive. To think a few people thought I was crazy when I suggested the other day Simmons and Douglas might not finish the season as starting lock combos. Once again both solid verging on pedestrian instead of solid verging on impressive.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Oh well that was a pretty disappointing start to the season.... Haven't lost to the Reds since 2013. Lambie was on target and almost closed it out at the end the end there. At the end of the day, too many handling errors and bad passes.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
We??? ... you are a Tah DaniE! ..*S*
Hello
Roar Rookie
Agree it is ridiculous but that is the new rules. As long as it is supplied consistently I am OK with that. I am expecting some games to be 12 on 12 if they keep it truly consistent to that shot by hunt
Ray
Guest
On that brief performance, I'd start him ahead of Fisby
Dale
Guest
Five minutes earlier Kerevi was subject to a neck roll in front of assistant referee. No action taken as he didn't take a dive. Reds might need to take a leaf out of SA book and dive.
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Correct Digger