I’ve read suggestions on the forum and social media of people believing the Chiefs might be vulnerable this game as they cruise into the end of their season. That doesn’t make sense to me as, despite sitting on top of the log, they are only three points in front of the 4th placed kiwi team (the Hurricanes). So this becomes a critical encounter for the Chiefs as they target a bonus point win to put some space between them and the chasers.
I do expect the Reds to be as determined as they have been at anytime this season. Despite what can only be described as another disappointing year, they can still make a statement in winning their fourth home game in a row – for the first time since 2012! It is also a special occasion as tonight’s match marks the Queensland Rugby Union’s fifth Indigenous Round, which coincides with NAIDOC Week and celebrates the year-round work of Queensland Rugby in Indigenous communities in Queensland. As part of Indigenous Round celebrations, the Reds have been wearing unique Indigenous training kit all week (refer to the above picture of Henry Taefu), which was designed by Reds Generation Next program participant Phillip Yeatman.
Team News
The Queensland Reds are battling under the strains of injuries including Karmichael Hunt, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Jake McIntyre, Jake Schatz and Rob Simmons. McIntyre is the latest member of Team Rehab so Duncan Paia’aua comes into the team at flyhalf whilst Wallaby World Cup lock Kane Douglas swaps with rookie Lukhan Tui as the only two starting team changes.
The Chiefs have brought back All Blacks Aaron Cruden and Tawera Kerr-Barlow in the halves, and reshuffled their forward pack which sees Brodie Retallick drop out of the side and Liam Messam back in via the bench. The Chiefs had a strong last round win against the Crusaders in Fiji and have only strengthened their team since then.
Key Match Ups
The Halves:
Many Reds fans have been waiting for sometime to see how an alternative would look in the #10 jersey. With Sam Greene having been released and moving the Japan, it’s Paia’aua who get’s his chance. He showed some class off the bench last week, and has been in excellent club form, and the hope is that he may be able unlock whatever attacking force this Reds team may possess. His halves partner Nick Frisby will be keen to show that he can be the running scrumhalf Australia needs rather than coveting the likes of Tomás Cubelli. For the Chiefs all that needs to be said about Cruden and Kerr-Barlow is that they can smell weakness and will tear a team apart that shows it. The Reds need to be resolute to the end if they are to take this match.
Gill v Cane:
Whilst Sam Cane will be playing at the back of the scrum, the All Black 7’s battle with Liam Gill will be epic. Cane, a longtime understudy, is finally getting his opportunity with the All Blacks whilst Gill, also a long time understudy, has been forced to leave the country to further his career opportunities. Gill has been fantastic all season and was back to his pilfering best against the Brumbies last week.
Prediction:
The Chiefs will enter this match with it all to play for. Win this match with a bonus point and they all but secure the conference championship. With statistically the best attacking weapon in the competition in Damian McKenzie and statistically close to the best defensive weapon as well (Sam Cane), only the most passionate, one-eyed Reds fans will be tipping a home team win this weekend. Reds by 3.
Teams:
Reds: 15 Jack Tuttle, 14 Chris Kuridrani, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Henry Taefu, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Duncan Paia’aua, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Curtis Browning, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Andrew Ready, 1 James Slipper (c)
Replacements: 16 Matt Mafi, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Lukhan Tui, 20 Leroy Houston, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Anthony Fainga’a, 23 Campbell Magnay
Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Seta Tamanivalu, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden (c), 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Sam Cane (cc), 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Taleni Seu, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Atu Moli, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Kane Hames
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Mitchell Brown, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Andrew Horrell, 23 Sam McNicol
Date: Friday, July 8
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 19:45 local (09:45 GMT)
Referee: Nick Briant
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry, Jordan Way
TMO: Damien Mitchelmore
