Monday’s Rugby Information – 12/6/23

Completely happy Monday, G&GRs, and welcome to the information for as we speak. Firstly, a “rah rah hip hip huzzah” to my royal namesake and for the related lengthy weekend. I’ll by no means say ‘no’ to a Monday away from the workplace! Secondly, it’s time to bask within the glory of the ‘Hand of God’ within the Brumbies v Canes QF. We’ll take a look into the 4 quarter-finals from the weekend gone, and ideas of what may occur within the semi-finals this coming weekend, some ideas on the destiny of the UK premiership from a participant perspective, Eddie’s ‘Crafty Plan’, and JOC 2.0’s season reflection.

SUPER RUGBY – QUARTER FINALS

Blues def Waratahs – match report right here

The Blues proved themselves to be too fast and powerful in defeating a weakened Tahs lineup in what proved to be Michael Hooper’s final recreation for the sky blues. After a fast attempt to open the scoring, the Tahs let in 38 unanswered factors. A suspect entrance row that by no means recovered from the lack of Angus Bell early within the season meant they by no means had the go ahead wanted. With a raft of cheeky but wanted modifications made to the beginning lineup (fuqen thanks for the heads up there), the Tahs appeared, at instances, higher than they’ve. Alas, it was the identical frailties that price them. Properly performed to the Blues.

Crusaders def Drua – match report right here

The one recreation I didn’t get to look at this weekend, however the rating tells me just about all the things. Even after a cheeky punt on the Drua, their seeming lack of rugby potential outdoors of Fiji will hamper their progress till they’ll discover Wonka’s magic bubbles to get them on their method to consistency. To make the finals after two years is a credit score, however they’re a a lot better aspect than they confirmed. The Saders, regardless of a horror damage listing, know how one can play finals footy. Subsequent weekend’s recreation in opposition to the Blues shall be a doozy.

Chiefs def Reds – match report right here

The Reds performed their second-best recreation of the season in what has proved to be Brad Thorn’s final in cost. For about 73 minutes, they had been nicely on this match and sure had the inhabitants of the Waikato crapping their daks. Alas, much like the Tahs, their potential to take video games by the balls and personal the sphere proved to be their undoing. A wonderful match, however, this time the Reds weren’t adequate. I used to be mightily impressed with Lynagh 2.0b – he’ll be one to look at within the U20 RWC in a number of weeks time. The sport will do the Chiefs nicely as they wanted a scrap to get their heads within the recreation for the semi-finals.

Brumbies def Hurricanes – match report right here

Woaaahhh!! Now this was a recreation and a half. In fact, I’m delighted within the Ponies’ victory, nevertheless it doesn’t take away simply how good the Hurricanes had been both. The important thing half aspect of the Brumbies victory lies in two areas: the primary was the impression of the bench, significantly the reserve entrance row in Schoupp, van Nek and McInerney, Ryan Lonergan and, considerably clearly, Luke Reimer and his ‘Hand of God’. Second was the power of the Brums to isolate and cut back the impression of Ardie Savea within the first half, Dane Coles who didn’t fairly rise up to his common mischief, and Jordie Barrett, who had little affect on the sport. It pains me to say it in some methods as I’m a giant Noah fan, however JDeb had, with out query, his greatest recreation of Tremendous Rugby and may but deserve to begin subsequent week. The Ponies’ one space of work-on shall be their defence. Their ‘tackles’ when Devan Flanders ran by means of them like a vindaloo after a booze up was embarrassing on the skilled degree.

Wallaby winners – Slipper, Frost, Valetini (‘that’ deal with try price him some brownie factors), JDeb, Ikitau, Wright, R Lonergan, Lynagh, JOC,

Wallaby losers – the Tahs. They didn’t acquit themselves nicely in any respect. Not less than the Reds went down swinging; conversely, after scoring first, they bled 38 factors. Not good in any respect.

SEMI-FINALS

Crusaders v Blues – Friday sixteenth June – 5:05pm AEST

An intriguing match-up between two Kiwi heavyweights. The Saders, as we all know, can by no means be taken calmly on the enterprise finish of the tournaments; nevertheless, I ponder if their damage toll and type could be one step too far in opposition to a aspect with extra strike energy and high quality than the Drua. The Blues shall be analysing the Hurricanes’ efficiency from a fortnight or so in the past to see precisely what they must do. Both method, it should be a cracker of a recreation!

Chiefs v Brumbies – Saturday seventeenth June – 5:05pm AEST

With the Ponies really fielding their greatest group for a number of matches in a row, they’ll have a considerably higher likelihood at defeating the juggernaut that’s the Chiefs aspect of 2023. A quiet phrase to a number of the Reds coaches and gamers about what labored of their video games wouldn’t be the worst concept. The Chiefs are all however unstoppable and deservedly sit atop of the remainder. Their potential to remain linked and composed gained them the sport in opposition to the Reds. My coronary heart remains to be hoping for a Brumbies win, so Ponies by two!

ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP

The lack of three Premiership groups (and probably extra the way in which it’s going) is a stain on the sport in England. That it was ever allowed to get thus far is a travesty, and heads ought to completely roll on this clusterfuq of epic proportions.

The good thing about this for Australia: there are actually three much less golf equipment paying good dosh to play for. Particularly, with a big participant drain looming for the English aspect, they’ll be hoping to discover a house for some prized gamers. I wouldn’t be shocked to see a big minimize in spending, significantly of the finances in the direction of overseas gamers, aside from the best possible. However it does imply there are barely fewer choices for the ‘membership plodder’ to go off, which in concept may nicely help the sport right here. The raft of re-signings continues for the Australian-based gamers, with others returning like LSL (who admitted to getting a rocket at Saints) serving to bolster the ranks.

EDDIE’S CUNNING PLAN

From a put up from the opposite website’s Christy D, Eddie Jones’ crafty World Cup plans are coming to the fore, with the brand new Wallabies coach influential in serving to orchestrate a collection of Barbarians fixtures that shall be Australian-heavy through the World Cup.

With no third-tier competitors to fall again on and virtually 17,000 kilometres separating Sydney from Paris, The Roar can revel Jones has helped plan as many as six Barbarian fixtures to coincide with the World Cup.

It signifies that if something occurs to his 33-man World Cup squad in France, Jones could have match-ready gamers throughout the English Channel to have the ability to name on when damage invariably strikes.

If solely there was the abovementioned home competitors….

JAMES O’CONNOR 2.0’S SEASON REFLECTION

I’ll depart you with the nice phrases of younger JOC 2.0. By all means search on Instagram because it’s an extended one, however nicely definitely worth the learn. What progress this bloke has proven. Shit, I virtually need to help the Reds now…

It wasn’t the season I envisioned for not solely myself however our group. Coming into the season late and a bit underdone because of the ankle damage reminding me that I’m now not a spring rooster. To construct a stable basis takes time and also you’re solely prepared if you’re prepared. It took numerous endurance and I’m not going to lie I had numerous doubts. With solely per week earlier than spherical 1 kicked off I used to be nonetheless solely in a position to prepare for half-hour at recreation depth earlier than I’d must hobble off the sphere. I’ve a lot gratitude for our medical group who continued to encourage confidence in me even once I was near throwing my toys out of the pram from not understanding why this was taking place to me.

However then it modified, my spouse helped me perceive that this was taking place ‘for me’ not ‘to me’. This small mindset shift was all the things. I surrendered my concept of this good season, of enjoying the most effective footy of my life for the Reds, dancing throughout the sphere and masterminding stunning attacking rugby. Which might pressure my method again into the Wallabies. A phoenix rising from the ashes once more. This was to not be. As at all times the universe offers you precisely what you might want to develop, and for me this season it wasn’t about aptitude, it was rolling my sleeves up and throwing my physique into contact in a method I hadn’t carried out in years.

And as a lot because it confused me on the time, i saved my religion, even once I was moved from the place I believed I had made my very own. I turned the help act once more. And rattling, I’ve by no means been so fulfilled. Not solely watching Lawson and Tom shine, however attending to share that with them. I had forgotten simply how a lot I like that battle in tight, carrying the ball right into a brick wall when wanted by your group. Chopping the largest ball runners on the sphere time and time once more. Chasing kicks and controlling the defence line. The additional area out broad and the prospect to make use of my ft and evade in a method I hadn’t for some time was a bonus. It was undoubtedly not the season I envisioned once I lay in my hospital mattress final yr after the ankle surgical procedure. However it was the proper likelihood for me to step up and develop in lots of new methods.

Slowly constructing every week, simply as my ankle slowly constructed with me, from 15mins off the bench in spherical 2, to 30 to a half, then 60 & lastly 80 minutes. And by the tip permitting me to do issues I hadn’t carried out for a decade.

From a group perspective it wasn’t our most swish season both. We lacked cohesion and element to start with, however slowly constructed collectively and located a method of enjoying that we’re happy with. Leaving all of it out on the sphere Saturday in opposition to an excellent Chiefs group.

We shall be a lot better for this season, simply as I do know I’m.

I like this group; I like these males and I like the delight we have now on this jersey.

Thanks for all of the help this season @redsrugby faithfuls. Watch this area, I promise you subsequent season within the maroon goes to be particular.