SUPER 14 2010

Written Friday 26/02/2010

SUPER 14 2010, IS QLD STARTING THE ANNUAL SLIDE

The Reds, what can you say, tried to play some dry weather footy in the rain, and lost. It's easy to blame Cooper for missing those two shots at penalty, very easy, but probably unfair, as much as I am not a fan of his style of play. I think have a look at some positively woeful defence off one lineout where Matthewson has scooted around the back and run 20 or 30 to score, and one time in particular where Cooper has tried to run it out of our own 22, skipped, jumped (read wasted some time), been tackled and turned over, when all he had to do was jam it into the corner, as Genia did a few plays later, and let them play out of their 22. I would also be very interested in our number 8's stats, guy needed to stand up and deliver some metres and some dominant defence in the conditions and I don't believe he did. I will continue my commentary on another page. Gee it's good to be able to do this from my loungeroom, easy to be a good footballer out of there, and we must always remember that as critics, very easy from the comfortable chair.

The Reds showed glimpses of promise, and Genia continues to be a standout, but the side's decisions in the wet for alot of the match left alot to be desired. Wet weather, even with modern footies, should equal plenty of kicking, and narrow play. Play less with the footy, but alot with territory. Certainly missed the muscle of Horwill with ball carries and leadership, the Reds just did not have the punch with ball in hand.

While I generally enjoy the banter of Marto and Kearnsy, I again disagree with them that with about 2 and a half minutes to go that Qld needed to run the footy out of their own 22 metre zone. 2 odd minutes is quite a long time in a game, and certainly enough to kick into their zone and attempt to play down there. Being conservative, I would have been looking to preserve the one bonus point at the least, and bank it rather than go all out and lose the lot, but all out and lose the lot they did.

Personally this week we thought that Laurie Weeks was best on field for Qld, and unfashionable looking guy that stood up and delivered for Qld. He could be well pleased with his efforts. Faaingia at hooker too continues to deliver, well for the second week in a row anyway.

The Reds look to be in enormous trouble this week against the Chiefs. Chiefs are yet to impress, and I totally disregard that 72 to 65 performance, but they are up the top of the table, so things are not going too badly for them.

NSW are one of the Aussie rock star sides and not really delivering, not sure what the answer is there, but the Bulls do look ominous, will see how they travel, when they travel, but they are certainly setting the pace at the moment. I still think NSW are struggling in the backline, Rob Horne may be the answer in the positional changes that his return will force. Carter has to be moved from 13.

The Brumbies as everyone saw got out of jail, and now they have a dream run at home. We question Rocky Elsom's workrate, and have done for many years, carries the ball OK occasionally but the 15man team certainly wondered why he popped up so many times catching the footy at fullback from kicks, for one. The statement was made a number of times at 15man headquarters that Giteau and Elsom need to be doing more for their sizeable paypackets than they currently are. Only our opinions of course, but just sharing them in any case.

The Force are just hard to watch. I ask myself every time I see them play how you can go into a season without a noted hooker, especially when they recruited so well at 1 and 3. While I hear commentators waxing lyrical about Aussie Schools player from last year, Jones on the bench, that points to a grave lack of depth in Aussie rugby. He is not ready for Super Rugby, and I don't need to see him to make that assessment, just not old enough to be mentally ready in a pack and a side that is not dominant. I fear that the Force may take the spoon this year, and on current injury statuses and looking through the draw, the Reds could easily slip into 13th. Also in the mix for the bottom of the table will be the Lions, the Cheetahs, maybe the Sharks and probably the Highlanders, although their roster is quite solid.

Looking forward to the weekend of rugby that awaits, do enjoy it fellow punters, whatever your opinion may be.