Preview: Reds v. Chiefs

This Sunday is Mothers Day in Queensland and thousands of them will flock to Lang Park to see the Reds take on the top of the ladder Chiefs. Adding to the incentive of having their mothers in the crowd is the massive ego boost they must have after “modelling” at the very successful Reds Ladies Cocktail Night. Mrs Sully and friends had a great time and will be back for more next year.

Back to the serious stuff. The chiefs are hot. 9 wins in a row and a back line the envy of the competition. Add a no nonsense forward pack and you’ve got the makings of something special. But you know what! Up here in Banjo land we know a thing or two about thspecial. And we have a no nonsense forward pack. And the Reds back line, now with added starch, is pretty darned good too.

At this moment the big Reds machine is running at 93.33% efficiency with only a small dose of Quades needed for them to hit top speed. But right now the Reds mighty defensive structure is at 100% with and Anthony (The Starch) Faingaa hitting top form very quickly after a long lay off. Little wonder Rod Kafer endorsed him as “perhaps the best defensive Australian Centre ever”. It’s great to see the Reds centre getting the accolades he deserves.

Ben Daley is back from his hamstring injury and has been rushed straight back into the run on side at loosehead prop. While flanker Beau Robinson will re-enter the side from the bench. Equally at home at 6 or 7 he will make a difference in the last quarter of the game. The back line is unchanged.

For the Chiefs Sona Taumalolo comes off the bench and swaps places with Toby Smith. Brodie Retallick comes in for Mike Fitzgerald at tighthead lock. Liam Messam causes a reshuffle of the back row with his return to the 6 jersey. Sam Cane drops back to the bench for Tanerau Latimer move from blind to openside. While Kane Thompson makes way for Alex Bradley at #8. Their back line is Also unchanged.

While the Chiefs are running second and the Reds are tenth this is not an easy win for the chiefs. In the Reds favour is the return of key players from injury, improving form, an expected 35000 strong home crowd, Australia’s love of Sunday arvo rugby and their mothers support.

Reds V. Chiefs Team List

Details

Reds overall record against the Chiefs
Played 16, Wins 8 , Losses 8 , Draws 0

Date Sunday 13 May
Venue : Brisbane
Kick Off local: 16:10
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant Ref 1:Andrew Lees
Assistant Ref 2:Simon Moore
TMO : Steve Leszczynski

Game Breaker

The Key for the Chiefs will be Aaron Cruden and his centres Sonny Bill Williams and Richard Kahui. They have the brute force and finesse to unlock most defences running around in Super Rugby today. That’s why the key to this match for the Reds is mid field defence. Ben Lucas and Mike Harris are an  important part of that but the key man is Anthony Faingaa. That’s why he’s my Game Breaker this week.

The Fearless Prediction

I know that every time I write one of these previews I come out and predict a Reds victory no matter how bleak it looks. But this week we are really in with a chance. The Reds have the look of a team just about to take off. I’m predicting it’s starting this weekend.

Reds by 10 with a bonus point.

Now that’s fearless! Even put it in my footy tips.

Remember to get out and watch some #3rdtier Rugby this weekend. We have a Competition running for the best photo at a #3rdtier game details here. While you’re there post match update and pictures to the forum threads, Facebook or Twitter using the #3rdtier hashtag so we get game updates from across the country. If you write us a one paragraph summary of the match we can include it in out #3rdtier round up.

If you come, they will build it

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