Sunwolves vs Rebels: Super Rugby live scores, blog

Hey it`s Riddler again. The Sydney bloke pretending to be a Queenslander. It doesn`t work mate.

Stu, you and I are seeing different things when we watch a game of rugby. And I am certainly not watching a game with a ‘test failure’ label ready. Quade’s chances in gold have been almost non- existent since 2014. So how we can declare his ‘10 years’ of playing tests a failure is incoherent. I also missed Hegarty’s test-level playmaking brilliance in his time at the Tahs and Reds. No doubt he is a great player, but a test level playmaker requires an all round 10 skillset. I don’t have a ‘failure’ label for him but he hasn’t unlocked defences this year like the 2017 Reds 10 could and can.

KCOL; With a decade each of proven track records, Quade and Nard are both proven very good Super Rugby players – ten years absolutely proves it, and equally, they’re both proven failures at Test level – ten years of it has also proved that. We shouldn’t undervalue what their respective ten year track records at Test level have given us – absolute proof that we have to entrust anybody else but these two now. Literally, what’s the point otherwise? Hegarty is playing as well as either of them atm, and probably better in many ways, but he won’t even be entered into the conversation. He certainly defends MUCH better than them both, kicks better than them both, and is at least the equal in setting his backs up for incisive, clever plays. AND he takes it to the line to keep things mixed up – he’s literally playing what’s in front of him, which is what everyone’s been begging for. The poor quality of the Reds players around him aren’t doing him any favours, and he’s still excelled in just one season. Until last week, when he hit the post twice from out wide, he was kicking better than all the others as well! Without ten years as a Test failure to prove it, why shouldn’t he be considered?

And a few west islanders Danny

I’ll keep saying it re the laptop affair. He was caught stealing back a laptop which was originally stolen from his cousin/sister, can’t remember which. Never heard anything about school behaviour so you can’t argue against a negative.

I agree totally Ken. He coached my Crusaders to multiple titles and I watched him play most games at Lancaster Park during Canterbury’s famous 26 game Ranfurly streak. But he got a rough run on test selection against some very good players. Then when he lost to AB job to Shag after 2007 fiasco his decision making became questionable I think. Perhaps he figured he’d never get a chance at ABs again? He did much unacknowledged good work with the Wallabies but I think he remains unforgiven by many North Islanders.

Welcome back Jordan Uelese. Once he came on the Rebels scrum just came alive. He's just got to start against the Waratahs. Ruru looked good with his minutes. Happy with Maddocks injecting himself into the game. Still a few errors and brain fades that other teams would have made them pay for but some good momentum going into next week. I doubt the Tahs will allow themselves another off week and will be hard to get past. I suspect Rebels v Tahs will come down to who of Foley and Cooper can kick straight. Whoever wins out of Rebs and Tahs can still win the conference, particularly if the Tahs can beat the Brumbies.

I don't know who you are, but it seems I've acquired another fan. Thumbs up buddy.

Wow, what a limp riposte! Maybe you're a bit burnt out after the rearguard defensive effort you put in on all the Folau articles. "The Quade game". Hilarious! Laughter is the best medicine, eh Doc.

I don’t know any of these guys personally, so can’t talk about their behaviour or personalities. I will say though that I did somethings I wasn’t proud of when younger. Hopefully, they don’t reflect me as a person is though.

He played the other one and nearly lost in the 80th minute though.

Yeah Dennis, since you seem like you're 14, I've been aware of the Quade game since before you were a twinkle in your daddy's eye.

Riddler, I would say that the crowds in support of Cooper and Foley respectively are markedly different. I know that we are all individuals but if I were to assume a licence to generalise - the Foley camp seem to refer to ‘character’ and ‘courage’ and ‘humble service’ as key KPIs in their ideal 10. They conclude that Bernard is the best. This camp remembers the laptop affair as you have here and I would say judgementally dismiss Quade as a ‘ne’er do well’, despite this misdemeanour occurring over a decade ago. Then there is Quade’s history of occasionally flaky high tackling. From this they conclude that Foley is more dependable, courageous and secure. And that Quade is the opposite. Then there are the other side which sees a huge upside in the selection of Cooper, a group in which I belong. Mind you, neutrals with rugby acumen, like Nic Bishop and Harry Jones, from a distance, whilst not beating the drum as passionately as I, have also kept the door open to the idea that Quade is the best 10 in the country. Why? Well I can’t speak for all but for myself, he is the one with the most of the core 10 skills, passing long and short, timing the pass, deceiving defences, weaving magical offloads, managing attack with spatial intelligence of a level not only unique in this country but unique in most unions in the world. Of course he is flawed. But in core playmaking skills, he is the most equipped in my view. Then there are stats, and they can be skewed. Foley’s defence and mistake rate is no better than Quade’s. Foley has never experienced the appalling vitriol poured onto one player the likes of which Quade experienced in Auckland in 2011. Sure Quade made mistakes in his challenge to McCaw back then but the ‘payback’ was massively inappropriate and out of proportion. Quade has demonstrated maturity and courage on and off the field ever since. Which way has Bernard been tracking? We saw snide off-the-ball gamesmanship in a late ruck in the last Tah v Rebels game, a game the Foley judges gave to Bernard on TKO, a judgement I disagree with. Foley is a good player no doubt. And he had a good Ish game against the Rebels. even scoring a try. But is he our best playmaker? No I say. Because a playmaker ‘makes play’ for others to excel. And the best in the country at this essential 10 skillset wears 10 for the Rebels.

A player playing better against weaker teams than stronger teams? What a shock...

Luckily they weren’t all easy today. Wade kicked one from the sideline right in full time actually.

Agreed massive. U r correct.

It isn’t cherry picking to point out that the Rebels are above the Tahs on the ladder at this point, and that the Rebels (and Quade) outperformed the Tahs (and Foley) vs the Sunwolves. Foley didn't play against the Sunwolves in the Tahs loss to them, he was rested. Mason was at 10 and had a horror, poor kid.

Riddler - you accuse Cooper of having poor character yet your first paragraph is one of the most egregious and craven I've read on this site. You've let yourself down badly.

Don't worry Charlie. Ignore me. I am old over the hill armchair expert!!

He saves his terrible games for the tougher opposition. Are you new to the foibles of Quadie? And don't ask me stupid questions ever again.