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Opinion
At the end of round of Round 1 of Super Rugby AU, the Reds have beaten every other team and are now in the position to psychologically dominate the entire competition in the lead-up to the finals with another clean sweep in Round 2.
This is a fantastic opportunity to create a dominant mindset for the finals, which could carry into Super Rugby Trans-Tasman and beyond, setting up the team for an era of outstanding success.
However, the quality of the Australian opposition that the Reds face will make a clean sweep of Round 2 a challenging task. The Brumbies, Rebels and Force wins have been very close, with the men from the west in particular showing again why they should never be underestimated. So the Reds cannot leave anything to chance, either individually or as a team.
Fortunately for the Reds, the hard work over the last three and a half seasons has them in a position where they can play all aspects of their game to a high standard.
Their defence, set piece, breakdown play and kicking games are all strong when properly executed. Their attack, both in terms of talent at their disposal and teamwork in unstructured attacking situations, is sublime and sets them apart from the pack.
Acting captain and flyhalf James O’Connor has also said that they have several different game plans that they can switch between as the match dictates. They don’t need to spend time working on anything new, they just need to ensure that the array of tools they have in the box, are sharp and used to their fullest effectiveness.
(Photo by Patrick Hamilton / AFP via Getty Images)
Reds coach Brad Thorn has made no secret that he wants to see improved execution, with penalties and handling errors letting the Reds down and making games tighter than they otherwise need be.
The flip side of the confidence that comes from multiple wins can be complacency, so the Reds need to individually double down on improving those aspects of their games, and holding each other to account for doing so.
The Reds also need to ensure correct execution of team tactics both in attack and defence, with some concerns presenting in the last couple of weeks.
Territory and position stats dropped below 50 per cent in both of those games, there were a lower number of effective kicks in general play, defence was worryingly passive against the Brumbies and James O’Connor looked unusually out of ideas against the Force at times, with several decisions to ineffectively kick away good attacking ball.
Not that the Reds should take the Waratahs for granted when they play them next week, but the Rebels game in Melbourne in a fortnight in particular looks like a banana skin moment waiting to happen.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images for the Melbourne Rebels)
Rebels coach Dave Wessels will most likely spend the two weeks that his team has a bye, meticulously devising and drilling a defence and territory-based game plan to stifle and defeat the Reds.
Based on the closeness last encounter and the progress with the Rebels’ attack, he would have good odds of spoiling the Reds’ perfect record unless the Reds improve those aspects of the game.
To stop that from happening, the Reds clearly need a second playmaker and organiser on the park to support O’Connor with the vision, voice and decision-making capability in the way that Hamish Stewart did while he was playing at 12.
He and O’Connor could regularly be seen having a quick chat on the park and the results followed – a testament to the old axiom that two heads are better than one.
This could involve one of the players who has been selected over the last couple of weeks such as Hunter Paisami or Jock Campbell, stepping up and better fulfilling that role.
Alternatively, one of the Reds’ experienced second playmakers in Stewart or Bryce Hegarty could be returned to the starting side.
Whatever the Reds’ coaches decide, it will be a critical consideration as they mentor the Reds towards the dominance of Australian rugby and beyond.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.