Reds
41
Match Complete
NSW Waratahs
7
| J. O'Connor |  | 81 | ||
| I. Droasese |  | 80 | ||
| J. O'Connor | | 71 | ||
| F. Daugunu | | 70 | ||
| J. O'Connor |  | 31 | ||
| J. O'Connor | | 18 | ||
| F. Daugunu | | 17 | ||
| J. O'Connor | | 15 | ||
| A. Mafi | | 13 | ||
| J. O'Connor | | 9 | ||
| J. Campbell | | 8 | ||
| J. O'Connor | | 7 | ||
| 3 | | W. Harrison | ||
| 2 | | J. Gordon |
| 5 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 5 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Queensland Reds will welcome the NSW Waratahs to Brisbane in the opening game of the 2021 Super Rugby AU Competition and this clash should be an absolute beauty as both sides will fancy their chances of getting off to a winning start. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of what promises to be a thrilling match starting from 19:40 AEDT on Friday.
The Reds have been on a journey for the past few years under coach Brad Thorn and it really does feel like the investment in youth and the processes they put in place are beginning to bear fruit. For many, the Reds are favourites for this year’s competition and they will definitely be a tough team to beat.
Thorn has made some interesting selection decisions for this opening match. Having worked hard to help Taniela Tupou improve his stamina in 2020, the powerful ball running front-rower will come off the bench as an impact player against the Tahs.
Meanwhile, Jordan Petaia will start on the wing and not at centre where many would like to see him play. He’s an obvious talent and so getting the ball into his hands as much as possible has to be part of the Reds’ plan – a plan that will be harder to execute if he’s that bit further away from the play. Some have called for Petaia to move to full back but incumbent Jock Campbell has played well and deserves to keep the jersey.
As usual, a lot will depend upon how well James O’Connor can direct his team around the field and create space for his rapid outside backs. Fans will have to wait a bit longer to see former Melbourne Storm flyer Suliasi Vunivalu in a Reds jersey as he’s been stood down for an altercation with a security guard.
For the men from NSW, this could be a very tricky year. The Tahs have lost over 1500 Super Rugby caps in the offseason and will miss the experience of the likes of Michael Hooper and Rob Simmons.
Whilst the remaining squad might lack experience, they don’t seem to lack attacking talent and they should score plenty of points. Many of those will come from the accurate boot of Will Harrison and it will be exciting to see him go head to head with O’Connor today.
The two big challenges for the Tahs to overcome against the Reds are the forward battle and their own defence. They leaked far too many points last season and the NSW team will know that they have to win the battle up front if they are going to stand a chance in Brisbane. Have they got the pack to do that though? Keep an eye on the Tahs’ locks – with Simmons and Ned Hanigan gone, Jack Whetton and Sam Caird will need to become a powerhouse straight away.
The Tahs line out was rocky last year and they really need Whetton and Caird to help make them a scarier outfit.
Prediction
The Tahs have some exciting players in the backs and plenty of points will come from Harrison’s boot. However, they are going to struggle against a better Reds pack and in the end, the lack of experience in the NSW team will cost them as the game goes on.
Reds by 7.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of what promises to be a thrilling match starting from 19:40 AEDT on Friday.
Game information
Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Date: Friday 19th February, 2021
Kick-off: 19:45 AEDT
Betting: Queensland Reds 1.29, NSW Waratahs: 3.62
Squads
Queensland Reds
Jock Campbell, Jordan Petaia, Hunter Paisami, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Daugunu, James O’Connor, Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Angus Scott-Young, Seru Eru, Angus Blyth, Feao Fotuaika, Alex Mafi, Dane Zander
Replacements: Richie Asiata, Harry Hoopert, Taniela Tupou, Ryan Smith, Tuania Taii Tualima, Moses Sorovi, Bryce Hegarty, Ilaisa Droasese
NSW Waratahs
Jack Maddocks, Alex Newsome, Izaia Perese, Joey Walton, James Ramm, Will Harrison, Jake Gordon, Jack Dempsey, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Jack Whetton, Sam Caird, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Tom Horton, Angus Bell
Replacements: David Porecki, Te Tera Faulkner, Sio Tatola, Jeremy Williams, Hugh Sinclair, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Mark Nawaqanitawase
soapit
Roar Guru
yeah he wasnt robinson crusoe either. plenty of young players have ordinary games that dont look so bad because the other guys around arent stinking it up at the same time.
soapit
Roar Guru
i just dont reckon stewart has the skillset to suit super rugby level 10. maybe he will improve but thats based on his previous efforts there. just a bit to poor at passing and kicking and a bit too slow. always seemed like he could be a solid 12 not quite up to 10 when he played there before.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Maybe, but I think Paisami is looking the better stand-in 10, he showed some nice hands and a nice kick Petaia (that he should have scored from).
Damian
Roar Rookie
A great start by the Reds. As a Reds fan it looks as though we have got some serious depth across the park. Brad Thorn’s recruitment and retention program is continuing to blossom for Qld. I think the Waratahs are in a similar position that the Reds were a couple of years ago. A core group of talented youngsters who just need some time to develop.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
At least Harrison has a good out of hand kicking game. Apparently Dan Carter learned to play #10 by playing outside Mertz. The Reds' scoring dried up in the second half. Maybe Hamish and Jimmy O'Connor can change positions when Jimmy runs out of ideas at #10. Hamish might develop confidence that way.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Rob, it been our perennial problem, too many 7's and too few 6's.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Don, Agree with your observation but I wonder if Uru can do that consistently as opposed to doing it on debut? All I want is the Wallabies to have a great 6-7 combination don't care who it is too much, more about what damage they can do to the AB's and the Poms!!!!
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Gapetto, Interesting but I cannot see him as a 12 atm. He needs a pack to stand up for him and a 9 who can do a bit more than shovel the ball out and run very occasionally.
Purdo
Roar Rookie
I thought the touch screen was informative. I hadn't really noticed the balding scalp, but then, I would be a bit merciful on that because my own scalp is rather bald.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Pubs can't show Rugby? Wowsers!
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Did you hear about the clusterf$&@ that was the Tabcorp deal? Peter V didn’t like not being told about it so he killed the whole thing the day before the first match. Meaning pubs everywhere can’t show Rugby now....
jeznez
Roar Guru
I’ve been getting the updates from senior HKRU people. HK rugby community is desperate for the matches. SANZAAR blaming COVID for slowing their negotiations, I call BS. Marinos was so focused on making McLennan feel good he dropped the ball. They are saying they they expect a deal done in the next few weeks but to me that implies they are really selling the internationals. Basically giving away half the Super competitions for free.
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
I’m sure it’s harder to sell the the individual domestic league broadcasts then it was to sell the former combined Super Rugby rights, but isn’t this the entire purpose of the SANZAAR group? I’m sure the American television ratings are terrible for super rugby, but in the era of streaming it is unacceptable to not provide a way for someone to give you their money to watch your show.
Dwards
Roar Rookie
May be right there
Paul D
Roar Rookie
He had a bad game. Big deal, he's 21! He's a flyhalf and a pretty darn good one more often than not. I wouldn't be moving or dropping him
jeznez
Roar Guru
Edmed and Donaldson the other pair that can play 10. I wouldn't be moving him, he lacks the size for 12. If he did have to move then Fullback is his other position but then what to do with Maddocks? I think they need to persist with him at 10. He was a lot better in the trial than he showed last night. Edmed meanwhile was less fluid in the trial starting at 10 but looked a lot more comfortable coming off the bench into 12.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Is Nasser injured?
jeznez
Roar Guru
It’s appalling TS. They haven’t sold the matches to Europe, Asia or the US. RA are on their knees looking for cash. SAMZAAR responsible for selling international content and completely dropped the ball. So what did they do? Gave the guy responsible for the F up the RA CEO role. It’s a shocker
Adsa
Roar Rookie
So who plays 10 at Tahs then if Harrison goes to 12?
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Low Red Rob ….. funny but low :laughing: