After Round 1 only 1 team has won at home, with the Crusaders beating the Highlanders.
Crusaders (NZ) - 32 v Highlanders (NZ) - 17
Interesting start.
Showing posts with label Super 14 2010 - Round 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Super 14 2010 - Round 1. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
They've lost that winning feeling
Reds - 28 v Waratahs - 30 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The biggest challenge facing the Queensland Reds is losing the loser mindset. Not suggesting they aren't trying, but when you get familiar with losing, it's not easy expecting to win.
This game reminded me of the first round in 1998 - Queensland scored a try within minutes of the game against Otago Highlanders at the House of Pain. And finished with 3 tries to one - but still just lost. And this was after only two seasons on the slide, especially 1997, finishing 10th out of 12 teams.
Queensland now has over a decade of being on the slide. That's tough to change back to a winning culture and will take time. Whilst this is happening they don't need any destabilizing in the process or any move forward will be sabatagued. With a number of powerful parties keen to stick the pin into the Reds ballon, they have battles on many fronts to fight.
The biggest challenge facing the Queensland Reds is losing the loser mindset. Not suggesting they aren't trying, but when you get familiar with losing, it's not easy expecting to win.
This game reminded me of the first round in 1998 - Queensland scored a try within minutes of the game against Otago Highlanders at the House of Pain. And finished with 3 tries to one - but still just lost. And this was after only two seasons on the slide, especially 1997, finishing 10th out of 12 teams.
Queensland now has over a decade of being on the slide. That's tough to change back to a winning culture and will take time. Whilst this is happening they don't need any destabilizing in the process or any move forward will be sabatagued. With a number of powerful parties keen to stick the pin into the Reds ballon, they have battles on many fronts to fight.
The Dream Draw - Qld Reds
The Qld Reds have the dream draw for 2010. Playing at home first vs. going to the road, especially to South Africa. It's tough playing the Africans on home soil at the start of the season, before their perennial fade from (dare I whisper the word) over-train...hold it, I know how to say it better - from lack of recovery - from their approach to training and travel.
Playing NSW, the arch-enemy, in Brisbane. I am confident the stats will support a greater chance of the Reds winning on home soil (if you can call Suncorp home).
Cantebury at home for the Reds AND at the start of the season. I wouldn't need all the fingers on one hand to count the number of seasons the Christchurch team have been in form for the start of the season.
Then Auckland in home in Brisbane - this time really at home, at Ballymore.
It doesn't get any better. This could give the momentum for reasonably successful season relatively speaking for this team.
Playing NSW, the arch-enemy, in Brisbane. I am confident the stats will support a greater chance of the Reds winning on home soil (if you can call Suncorp home).
Cantebury at home for the Reds AND at the start of the season. I wouldn't need all the fingers on one hand to count the number of seasons the Christchurch team have been in form for the start of the season.
Then Auckland in home in Brisbane - this time really at home, at Ballymore.
It doesn't get any better. This could give the momentum for reasonably successful season relatively speaking for this team.
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