The Queensland Reds will attempt to extend a near-perfect season with a place in the Super 15 rugby final.
Standing in the way are the Auckland Blues, the Reds’ semi-final opponent today.
The Reds have led the revamped competition from the first round to the last, getting a bye last weekend when Auckland defeated Queensland’s state nemesis, the New South Wales Waratahs, 26-13.
Photo: Reuters
It is the Reds’ first semi-final appearance since the inaugural Super 12 tournament in 1996 and comes after coach Ewen McKenzie turned around a 13th-place Queensland side from 2009 to fifth last year and then to competition leaders this season.
“We’ve played some big games this year, including against the Stormers in front of a big crowd on foreign soil, and we got through that,” McKenzie said this week. “We played in front of our biggest crowd against the Crusaders and got through that. And we’ve had a few close games, such as against the Waratahs, which we managed to deal with. So I’m not stressed about that side of it. We’ve confronted big circumstances this year and have come out of them OK.”
Along the way, the Reds put together their longest winning streak in Super rugby — seven matches before their loss to the Wellington Hurricanes in round 11. They won 12 in a row at home, before their loss to the ACT Brumbies in the 16th round.
A win today would give the Reds the home stadium advantage in next Saturday’s final against either Canterbury or South Africa’s Stormers, who play tonight at Cape Town’s Newlands Stadium.
McKenzie said the Reds had players in key positions, notably halves Will Genia and Quade Cooper, accustomed to the intensity of Test rugby. The expected return from injury of outside backs Digby Ioane, Anthony Faingaa and backrower Beau Robinson are also expected to provide strength.
The Blues, who were beaten 37-31 by the Reds in their last trip to Suncorp Stadium, will attempt to become the first team in 12 years to reach the final from fourth place.
“It’s a big challenge, but an exciting challenge,” coach Pat Lam said. “The real pleasing thing is that we’ve put our names in there and now we’ve got an opportunity to make the final. The Reds are the top team and we came up short last time we were there so it’s important we have good -preparation for this game. The excitement of playoff rugby is big and we’re looking forward to it.”
Lam has delayed a decision over whether goalkicker Lachie Munro or All Black Rene Ranger will start on the left wing in the match. He said he faced a tough choice between Ranger, who is returning from two weeks off with an injured hamstring, and Munro, who kicked 16 points in the Blues’ win over the Waratahs.
The loss of All Blacks lock Anthony Boric with a foot injury ensures there will be one change to the Blues forward pack for the match. Chris Lowrey will move from the reserves bench to take Borich’s place in the starting side.
Luke Braid will again start on the openside flank ahead of his older brother, former All Blacks flanker Daniel Braid, who played for the Reds in 2009 and last year.
Lineups:
Queensland: Jono Lance, Rod Davies, Anthony Faingaa, Ben Tapuai, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Radike Samo, Beau Robinson, Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill (captain), Rob Simmons, Greg Holmes, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley. Reserves: James Hanson, Guy Shepherdson, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Ian Prior, Will Chambers.
Auckland: Jared Payne, Joe Rokocoko, Benson Stanley, Luke McAlister, Lachie Munro or Rene Ranger, Stephen Brett, Alby Mathewson, Peter Saili, Luke Braid, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Chris Lowrey, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (captain), Charlie Faumuina. Reserves: Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau, James King or Mat Luamanu, Daniel Braid, Chris Smylie, Lachie Munro or Rene Ranger, Winston Stanley or Sherwin Stowers.
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