Updated – Force team named: I wonder what would happen if the Force wins at Suncorp Stadium this Sunday?
It would certainly throw a cat amongst the aficionados, wouldn’t it? Send a few footy tipping competitions awry.
I’m not necessarily of the view that they’ll win but you’d be foolish to think that this game is a foregone conclusion. That’s if you were basing your opinion on last year’s effort.
This time is different, markedly different. Unlike 2010 the Force are at near full strength. Their run-on side contains about seven survivors from that embarrassment (50-10 from memory).
And they’ll still be smarting. It was Matt Hodgson’s finest hour for zero return.
This was a Round 5 match that made you sit up and take notice. The Reds win two games in a row – surely not? ‘I coulda been a contender’ was actually contending.
Last year’s Force lame duck coach has moved on. There’s a new coaching freshness about them and that’ll be reflected in their enthusiasm.
The difference between these two sides comes down to this: depth. With the Force, you would have been able to select their run-on side relatively easily.
There were probably only a few positional ‘maybes’ to be determined and you know what their strengths are.
A very solid forward pack and an inspirational lock leader, with a superior back row. Throw in some flair with unknown knowns like David Smith plus JO’C the excitement machine, you’ve got some penetration.
Unfortunately, Willie Ripia is out injured and therein lies a problem – it seriously weakens the team.
Because if you scratch below the surface, sadly there’s really not too much to frighten the horses.
With the Reds, there was speculation aplenty about who starts where – prop, second row, loose forward combo’s and the makeup of the back three.
When you see this level of internal competitiveness you know they’re into something good.
And all has been revealed. It’s Eddie ‘Earthquake’ Quirk at No 7, Big Kev at 6 and Leroy gets the No 8 gig.
Bad luck for Higgers who is on the bench but he’ll be damaging at the back end of the game.
The Big Kev experiment continues and with Van and Simmo makes for a powerful lineout, pending some accurate throwing from S. Finger.
James Slipper slots into tighthead as anticipated, Ben Daley the loosehead option. The backs are as expected.
Le Link did wonders for them last year and gelled them into a dangerous attacking unit.
Defensively, they were probably better than you and I thought although that 10 channel remains a weakness, despite any Heath Robinson stop-gap solutions.
The Force probably won’t be able to match it with the Reds this week but any complacency will be punished.
The Reds should have the upper hand in the collisions with their big pack, especially late in the piece but there’ll be some turnover scraps for Pocock and co. Daniel Braid will be missed.
The scrums look evenly matched but it’s in the backs where it’s vive la différence. Despite the addition of Smith they’re up against a virtual Wallaby backline.
The Reds are running with the same unit as last year whilst the Force will be establishing combinations.
My feeling is that both sides will be tempted to play an open and expansive style of rugby and Rabbit will probably make it interesting.
With Ripia out they’ve had to do some juggling, moving JO’C there to cover.
This is one of his natural positions so it won’t be a problem for him, however, the real weakness lies at inside centre.
Gene Fairbanks is a journeyman, not a match-winner. I just can’t get excited by this midfield combination.
The backrow conundrum has been resolved with Ben McCalman selected at lock which allows all their international forwards to be included. That will impact on the lineout.
Sharpie has been declared fit. They just can’t do without him in a game like this.
Lance says: “Reds by 14”.
Queensland Reds:
Peter Hynes, Rod Davies, Will Chambers, Anthony Faingaa, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Leroy Houston, Ed Quirk, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Van Humphries, James Slipper, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley. Res: James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Scott Higginbotham, Beau Robinson, Ben Lucas, Mike Harris, Aidan Toua.
Western Force: (Updated)
Cameron Shepherd, Nick Cummins, Mitch Inman, Gene Fairbanks David Smith, James O’Connor, Brett Sheehan, Richard Brown, Matt Hodgson, David Pocock, Nathan Sharpe, Ben McCalman, Tim Fairbrother, Ben Whittaker, Pekahou Cowan Res: Nathan Charles, Kieran Longbottom, Sam Wykes, Tevita Metuisela, James Stannard, Alfie Mafi, Rory Sidey.
Date: Sunday, 20 February
Venue: Brisbane
Kick Off local: 16:40
Referee: Ian Smith
Assistant Ref 1: TBA
Assistant Ref 2: Damien Mitchelmore
TMO: Steve Lesczcynski
