SUPER 14 ROUND 4

ADDED MONDAY 10/03/2008

Here were my tips for round 4:  Thursday 06/03/2008,  Stormers over the Reds,  Waratahs to do the Brumbies,  Hurricanes over the Highlanders,  Chiefs should get the Cheetahs,  Bulls should get the Lions,  Crusaders over the Force but I see Richie McCaw is injured,  might close the gap a little,  and the Blues to go 3 from 3 (in Africa) over the Sharks in Durban.  Not much time this week.  Have a good one and enjoy your rugby!

Well,  certainly no let up from the awful rugby in week 4.  The way the Hurricanes and Highlanders played was not exactly inspiring,  and those Reds,  what can you say.  I tipped against them but secretly hoped that somewhere within lay a desire to scale the mountain,  but alas the mountain still lays unchallenged.

As sad as it is,  it is hard to see the Reds finishing above 14th in 2008.  The answer,  I don't have it,  but I sure hope Phil Mooney and his team do,  as this side is yet to face the Crusaders (at home),  the Blues (away) and the Sharks in Africa.  If they can't find the mettle to dig really deep these three sides could realistically pour 100 points on them in each game.  I really hope that does not happen.  I would be happy to just see some spirited losses,  not even hoping for a win any more,  just want to see some fight in these guys instead of what seems to be capitulation.

Morgan Turinui however gave us the best "disappointed look" of the season,  nicely captured by the good people from Foxsports and headlining the Qld story on their webpage.  Given that some in my house believe the Reds practise disappointed looks,  then Turinui's this week makes that alleged practise so worthwhile,  it was a beauty.

I thought the Brumbies deserved to be punished for that young bloke's (the flyhalf) really ordinary and slow kicking performance. I have an intense dislike of NSW and love to see them beaten by any and all comers (as all Queenslanders should),  but the Brumbies deserved what they got for the mistakes they made,  in yet another terrible game of footy,  contributed to in some part by the weather.  However,  if I am paying guys as much as Tuqiri gets paid,  and others,  I expect error free performances,  every time,  there aint no second prize,  as my good mate Jimmy Barnes can be heard to bellow.

I didn't see the Bulls vs Lions match,  but the result was not unexpected,  although interesting to note the Lions scored more tries than the Bulls.

The Sharks are looking the dark horse of the competition,  just quietly getting the job done,  and their first half against the Blues has sure lifted them in my expectations,  now to probably top four contenders,  along with the Blues,  Crusaders and maybe the Force.

And finally,  match of the round,  ended up closer than I thought it would,  with the Force almost getting the gong over the powerful Crusaders side.  You just have to wonder, McIsaac,  Sharpe,  Hockings,  Brown,  Pocock, who at the Reds let them get away.  Add them to Chisholm,  Chapman,  Wallace-Harrison,  Qld could actually field a world class backrow,  but we let the really good ones go.

I like Ryan Cross,  alot,  he has to be pencilled in as the Wallaby 13,  and I have a different view on the Wallby 12 than most.  I am not sure why people think it will be Mortlock,  or why people think Mortlock is the right type for 12 under the new rules.

I think everyone should take a look at the Crusaders,  Robbie Deans has a two first receiver policy,  both of those guys comfortable at 10,  as were Mauger and others.  My bet is a Giteau and Barnes combo with Beale on the bench to come out and smoke tiring defences. Mortlock can't kick,  passes very rarely,  and really only runs over people. Trouble is these days there are plenty of people just as big standing  in front of you to smash you back.   I think 12 needs to offer much more than that,  and with Barnes and Giteau, giving an awe inspiring passing game,  great feet and a left right kicking combination,  all put together with solid defence,  in fact Berrick is one of a small handful of Reds that seemingly can tackle.

My feeling would be,  and assuming Deans gets his way,  Cordingley at 9,  Barnes/Giteau at 10,  Barnes/Giteau at 12,  Cross at 13,  Latham at 15,  and there are a multitude of wingers,  Shepherd,  Tahu can play there,  everyone except me loves Tuqiri,  Gerrard goes OK.

Back to the Reds,  and I get the feeling reading the press again today that the axe will be even sharper this week.  I take back what I said about Barnes last week,  it seems he is doing that much of everybody else's work that he can't do his own properly.  I really think they have to get Lucas into the side,  and Shifcoske closer.

This is who I would play against the Bulls:

9.  Cordingley

10. Lucas

11.Hynes

12. Barnes

13. Shifcoske

14. Walker

15.  Latham

The forwards,  well again that remains a mess of it's own,  but the scrum went OK.  thought AJ Gilbert went OK while he was on.

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