It’s hard to imagine a scenario that could be worse for the Reds. Travelling to the town that time forgot, Hamilton, having to play the all conquering Chiefs, whom they have not beaten since 2006 and being without 5 backs from last weekend’s match day squad.
This has the potential to be a bigger fuck up than Kevin Rudd’s thought bubble of insulating every home in Australia with Chinese al-foil.
The Chiefs have had their best start to a Super rugby season this year and watching their games it is not hard to see why. They are a team that plays rugby the way everyone wishes their team played it.
Rather embarrassingly, Coach Ian Foster has had to drop two of his best performed backs so far this year in Dwayne Sweeny and Mike Delany to make way for Mils and Sivi. To further reinforce the overall strength of the side, accidental All Black Aled de Malmanche, sits out again for Hika Elliot and they don’t even look as though they are missing Lauaki such has been the form of Colin Bourke.
Then you have the Reds, well what can one say. The losses didn’t finish after the final whistle last week with Rocket ending up with a busted face, Marcia a dodgy digit, Digger’s a dickey knee, Walshie a busted hand, and Richard Kingi a torn hammy.
Link has had no choice but to name some of his pups in Morahan, Tapuai and Blair Connor to bolster the ranks. Ben Lucas has also been rushed back into the side after missing the last few games with a corked calf.
One small mercy is that the Reds forwards are unchanged however the gaping hole that is Big Kev’s injury still remains.
Bravely Link has described his new troops as “itching for a go” but perhaps this itch has more to do with a nervous rash rather than any sort of anticipation of a victory.
The Reds game plan must be one of attack as you can’t see them being able to hold the Chiefs to a meagre score. Even if this strategy does not yield a win, it might just get them over the line for a four try bonus point which would at least be something.
Despite all the attacking potency of the Chiefs, they also give plenty of chances for oppositions to score as the Lions showed in the second round. Both the Sharks and Lions have picked up losing bonus points against the Chiefs so this might suggest the Reds could sneak two bonus points – a best case scenario you’d think.
One thing Reds’ supporters have learned to be over the past few seasons about their teams chances is what can only be termed as ‘realistic’ – and this game brings out the most realistic of assessments.
No matter how much Bundy Rum I drink, I just can’t see the Reds winning this one. But, through a haze of distilled sugar cane, I can see the Reds sneaking a four try bonus point.
Cote says – This one’s gonna hurt, Chiefs by 20
