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ADDED SUNDAY 16/03/2008 Ah those Reds, how do you describe that turnaround. I have to admit I was really fearful of another flogging for these guys, but have had my faith slightly restored. Without being too negative, one needs to assess just how bad the Bulls actually were, and take it from there. So again, without being negative, some of these Reds guys looked the goods, and I haven't seen him mentioned anywhere, but from a scrumming perspective, Dayna Edwards is the best prop I have seen in Aus in 2008. Now if you are a bull you can scrum from birth, did you see, and I haven't seen a journalist write it yet because they are all looking for flitty, fancy footed backs, the number of times Edwards got that loosehead on the outside and from there totally disrupt the Bulls scrum, the boy did well, nice body shape in and through contact, closed the position nicely and won the contest against what should be a pretty mean pack. It was great to see Cooper not overplay his hand, between he and Barnes reside the two best passes in the country, and he put on some magnificent passes, and that little kick for Morgan "disappointed look" Turinui's try was really nice, I hope he can continue that development, and not try to win the game himself every play. He had a bigger role than he could imagine in the win in what he did last night than by challenging and trying to step/outsmart the line on every carry. Very much enjoyed Fetoai's directness, he looks fit and big and a few more games at this level will see him get some of those hits away that he missed. Luafutu certainly knows about winning the advantage line, and will develop into a big hard unit. Chris Latham and Sam Cordingley were pretty special. And referees, Latham standing on that guy would have been less painful than mosquito bites, gee guys, have a look at what is going on around the place. I am guessing the win will save Turiniu from the axe. The Reds now have to continue though, that cannot be a once off, they must look to win 2 from 3 in Africa, with the Lions and Cheetahs surely achievable, and they have to be competitive against the Sharks. Tough trip. They have a few tests yet to come, Sharks, Force, Crusaders and Blues. Last night they looked like they could finish mid field, the Bulls joined the queue for the bottom area, along with the Chiefs. Lets hope the Reds revival continues. I didn't see the much of the Friday night games, but was shocked that the Stormers knocked over the Chiefs, and the Chiefs now look dead set bottom of the table material. The result in Canberra did not surprise me too much, it looks like the Hurricanes are now on a roll and that big potent back row will continue to deliver some good go forward ball. They are big and nasty. Matty T made his debut, couple of touches and one missed tackle that he may rue, but Masoe is hard to tackle at the best of times. He will be much better for the outing I am sure. The Force firmed as Aussie's number one side, and are playing some very nice rugby, and are not panicking when behind. It was a good win, built out of some good work in the middle. This outfit's back 5 are playing very well and they are developing a real "Crusaderish" look about them particularly on kick return and turnover. They delivered two losses in a row for the Blues who's season has turned nastily in the space of two games. The loss of Nick Evans also was the time they lost direction, and there was not another "10" to be found, Toeaeva won't be a 10 soon. The Blues could be in some trouble if he is out for a few weeks, time to find someone form somewhere we haven't heard of yet, that's New Zealand rugby. The Force in the last two weeks have earmarked themselves as very genuine contenders for the finals race. Among many match highlights, how could you go past Matt Giteau's wink to the camera late in the second half, and John Afoa's ball carrying, jumping for high balls and stepping. He (Afoa) was awesome, but the wink was a cracker. The Crusaders were again awesome against the Cheetahs, who in reality provided little opposition. They are an awesome unit and clear leaders by 3 after the Sharks failed to secure a bonus point in their 16 to 8 win over the Lions. And another wink for the camera in this game, from big Brad Thorn, not as good as Giteau's, but a wink nonetheless. |
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WE DON'T STOP PLAYING BECAUSE WE GROW OLD, WE GROW OLD BECAUSE WE STOP PLAYING. |
