It was great to be back at Suncorp Stadium to watch the Reds play the Waratahs on Saturday, despite having to enduring a torrential downpour and a bunch of Red’s forwards repeatedly singing “YMCA” by the Village People and “Love Story” by Taylor Swift, in a car commercial before the game.
A special shout out to Reds prop Harry Hoopert, his moustache was the perfect complement to his dance moves, though there was a palpable fall in gusto the fellas sang the line “you’ll be the prince and I’ll be the princess”.
The game was an interesting one, I expected the Reds to spank the Tahs, but the Men in Blue who were missing six of the ten players selected for the Wallabies training squad this year, gave a good account of themselves.
Early on they capitalised on a shaky Reds lineout which gave up multiple early turnovers to Waratahs steals, with the Tahs doing well to score a sparkling team try which was completed by halfback Jack Grant.
Their pack also played with plenty of mongrel, the held up try from a Reds rolling maul being an excellent example of how the Tahs are turning around a poor 2021.
Red’s class shone through though with a score of four tries to the Tahs two, despite losing Dane Zander to a red card followed by Tate McDermott to a yellow, thus being down to 13 players at one point.
The desperation in defence was brilliant, with forwards Josh Nasser, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson all putting in double figure tackle counts, with inside centre Hamish Stewart topping the Reds tackle count at 15, while being a constant and influential presence slowing down opposition ball at the ruck.
Despite having been the defensive glue that has held together the best backline in the Australian Super Rugby teams for the last three seasons, combined with excellent passing, kicking and playmaking skills, Stewart cannot seem to get noticed by Wallabies selectors.
Stewart may not fit the mould of the blockbusting inside centre that is in vogue, but there are plenty of Test matches that have been won through stoic defence, with Saturday’s game providing an insight into how valuable a 12 like Stewart might be in the wet fields of Europe in 2023.
It will be a massive shame if he decides to leave Australian rugby without having been given a fair go, for no reason other than an unchallenged bias in Wallabies midfield selections.
The non-selection of Stewart highlights the broader issue that the Waratahs had ten players selected for the Wallabies this week, while the Reds who are the far better team, only had eight.
Perhaps Dave Rennie was providing the Reds an opportunity to make the point to the perpetually element in the Waratahs fan base and in particular the Sydney media, but unfortunately a number of Tahs players were sick or injured so couldn’t be compared to their northern rivals.
However, it is notable that Harry Johnson-Holmes and Jed Holloway who were both selected by Rennie, were started off the bench by Darren Coleman. This unnecessary decision by the Waratahs not to start two of their “best” players, begs the question about whether this was a deliberate ploy to limit comparisons with Reds who were not selected.
Neither of the two Waratahs forwards changed the course of the match when they were substituted on. Wallabies training squad selectee Lalakai Foketi also failed to make a definitive impacts, he made a few breaks at outside centre but didn’t play the key contribution that could have been expected of him, of defeating the Red’s defence to get Waratahs points on the board, when the Reds were two men down and vulnerable.
The only Waratah who got the call this week and played in this match who showed that he deserved it was Dave Porecki, who as a hooker who can throw straight into the lineout, is a priceless commodity in Australian rugby.
Only the Waratahs coaching and executive staff who know the true motivations behind the odd selections for this game. However, if you were a Waratahs player who was selected under those circumstances who wanted to believe that you were selected on merit alone, it would be hard to be comfortable with this week’s selection decisions.
As for the Reds, they showed yet again that they can win under adversity, whether they be disadvantaged by a poor refereeing decision or the disappointment that comes with lack of due credit in national selections.
As long as they keep finishing games infinitely more gusto they finish Taylor Swift songs, these Queensland Reds will remain the Princes of Queensland.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Sit down.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
I suggest that when you have contributed a single article here, you might be on a better position to tell me how to write mine.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
I think you would find if Thorn has to choose between Campbell and Petaia he would choose Campbell. As it is, he is lucky and when they're both fit and he can accommodate both on the field. Given the choice though, he would be first choice. Meanwhile some red card magnet who has been injured all season gets a nod. Indisputable truths.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
I rate Jock Campbell highly and would actually love to see him play for Australia. But, and this is where this whole poor Qld stuff gets pretty boring, he isn't even the first choice fullback for the reds. You then want to compare him with Jake Gordon and Swinton who are not only first picked in their positions at SR level when fit, but were also used by Rennie for the Wallabies last year. Likewise with Seru Uru. He is having a great season so far, and personally I would have him above Harris, but both of them have only cemented their positions in the last few weeks. Last year, both were not certain starters. I find it hard to believe that Rennie wouldn't have also spoken to him.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Certainly seems short of any deep thought, evidence or critical thinking. Maybe you shouldn't boast about being so quick to finish...
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
He's right though. If Campbell had sat on the bench all year he would not have got a look in, as with other Reds fighting for selection.
Leroy14
Roar Rookie
That’s a good point. I had forgotten about Beale
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Surely you realise that making a meaningless squad and being picked for touring parties and/or actual games are poles apart. I don't have any issues with Rennie calling with words of encouragement (I am sure he spoke with lots of people that didn't make it), but the fact is Wilson and McReight were picked (as they should have been) and Harris wasn't and yet you're still finding something to whinge about.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Dont forget to spit the seeds out when you are sucking on those lemons.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
It isn’t what you forgot that is notable, it is the false facts that you incorrectly remembered ….. twice in one thread.
Dean
Roar Rookie
Fair and astute observations mate. I think HP is a more coachable player than Ngmapi, that has been key to his growth. Plus HP’s Defence is better Ngmapi’s. I don’t rate HP as highly as Conrad Smith (whom was exceptional) whom was such a deft player. However, HP is certainly learning the Smith/Davis style of timing, communication and smarts. I think for us in Oz, HP and Ikitau are our 12/13 combination, we just need a 10 and 15 to support them.
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
Mate, I agree with you. Unfortunately he will be displaced by the vastly overrated Beale, who is consistently selected on past glories and reputation, and not on current form
Dandaman
Roar Rookie
We are talking about the 40 man squad and why some players on the fringe were picked over others. Agree none of these players are likely to make the match day squad while others are available, but the squad selection is a more open question (and because of that more contentious in some ways). I think if the discussion was purely about the likely matchday 23 people would be far more aligned with DR and the selectors on that list.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes Max. I made one once.
savant
Roar Rookie
This is the first year Sinclair has played well at SR level. He has been ordinary up to now - hard working and honest but a long way from test class. He is one of those club journeymen every team needs, like Ryan Smith at the reds. Im impressed that DC has got Sinclair playing at a whole new level this year.
savant
Roar Rookie
Stewart was very good at flyhallf against the kiwi champions Blues. He was only given 2 hours notice to play there and didnt train in the position during the week. It was the Reds best team performance of the season, only losing by 7 points and being arguably the better side. Wilson blew 2 certain tries with hero plays when a simple pass would've done (one of the reasons I think he has been marked down by DR) and Fraser gave a YC without warning to BPA when it was a Blues player who had collapsed the maul. The Reds win against the chiefs was against 14 men who flogged the reds 15 in the second half. A game Stewart was not selected for btw. Stewart also played 12 in near win by the reds in Christchurch against the Crusaders the previous year. In fact he played 10 in a narrow loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin the year before that. Thats 3 top class performances in 2 different positions against kiwi sides.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
People forget things Matt. Even the greatest people make mistakes.
savant
Roar Rookie
Yes Stewart missed Marky mark and Foketi once each. So just 2 breaks. Tough chances both coming from behind / side at pace. He did make 13 other tackles though and no tries were scored off either break. With 13 men and a hopeless line out giving Tahs plenty of possession the defensive effort was actually outstanding.
savant
Roar Rookie
Its also possible that DC decided that given the injuries/covid omissions he had the best chance of winning the game was to try and hold the reds (who are not fast starters) in the first 50 minutes with his lesser players and then have their best players come on for the last 30 when the Reds are at their most threatening. It didn't work but it was worth a try.
Matt
Guest
You must be a casual rugby supporter if you didn`t know TT was out game one. Oh dear how embarrassing for you.