For years now the games against the Crusaders has been one of the highlights of many Reds fans season. But this years match has a very different feel. The patched up and under performing Reds limp into the game against a Crusaders side that can only be described as on fire.
The Reds will be desperate to salvage anything from a disastrous season while the Crusaders will look to continue their charge up the Super Rugby rankings.
Key Match ups
Ben Daley v Owen Franks
Daley has had a long lay off with injury and hasn’t look great in the scrum since his return. Owen Franks will test Daley in the scrum and in the loose. If the Reds scrum doesn’t want to put their skates on Daley will have to play out of his skin and get his troublesome set up perfect. Franks is about 6 kilos heavier than Daley and the incumbent New Zealand tighthead. Actually when I looked up their stats I was surprised Daley came close to Franks. Franks looks huge while Daley looks about 100 kgs wringing wet
Curtis Browning v Jordan Taufua
Curtis Browning makes his run on debut for the Reds this week. At 190cm and 108kgs the 20 year old has a lot of hype to live up to. The Reds desperately need a backrower to bend the defensive line in attack and move some bodies in defence. By all accounts Browning is the man for the job. The only question remaining is whether Curtis is ready for the step up. His cameos off the bench have been promising on both counts and the inclusion of the abrasive Beau Robinson will definitely help his cause. Injuries to Matt Todd and Kieran Read have caused a major reshuffle of the Crusaders backrow but the GOAT, Ritchie McCaw was back to his old tricks last week and he is certain to take a lot of pressure off the 21 year old Taufua whose games for the Crusaders so far have been pretty impressive. It’s always great to see two young blindsides go hard and I think this weekend could be the start of a beautiful rivalry.
Will Genia v Andy Ellis
Andy Ellis has been on fire lately and Will Genia… well there’s no getting around it. Will Genia has not! Would I still pick him in my Wallaby team against the French? The answer is definitely and completely 100% yes. But that’s next month and playing behind the Wallaby pack and playing behind this patched up Reds pack are two different stories. Ellis has conjured up form he hasn’t shown in years and is on a rare run. The Reds need 2011 Genia and they need him badly. Frankly I’d settle for 2011 Genia lite right now and some go forward ball from Browning and Robinson may be all he needs to ignite his fuse. Fingers crossed.
Anthony Fainga’a v Ryan Crotty
Fainga’a is another Red struggling to discover his old form. Once the heart of the reds defence Ant has struggled with and after his shoulder injury and never really found his mojo again. But Crotty has got his mojo going on. His making metres in traffic, scoring tries and generally being a nuisance for defences everywhere. It will be a tough assignment for Fainga’a but one he is more than capable of handling on his day.
The Fearless Prediction
Can the Reds win this? Well every indicators says no. Not the 2014 reds team. But the heart of the great Reds sides is still a part of this team. Horwill, Simmons, Genia and cooper are still playing good Rugby. If things click. If our players of old turn up. If,if,if. The rivalry with the Crusaders should be enough to fire the Reds up for a huge effort. Pride should also work in our favour. But none of that will save the Reds on Sunday.
But maintaining my perfect record of always backing the Reds
Reds by 3
Ben Daley 1 Wyatt Crockett
James Hanson 2 Corey Flynn
Greg Holmes 3 Owen Franks
Rob Simmons 4 Luke Romano
James Horwill (c) 5 Sam Whitelock
Curtis Browning 6 Jordan Taufua
Beau Robinson 7 Richie McCaw
Jake Schatz 8 Luke Whitelock
Will Genia 9 Andy Ellis
Quade Cooper 10 Colin Slade
JJ Taulagi 11 Nemani Nadolo
Anthony Fainga'a 12 Ryan Crotty (c)
Ben Tapuai 13 Rey Lee-Lo
Dom Shipperley 14 Johnny McNicoll
Mike Harris 15 Israel Dagg
Reserves
Saia Fainga'a 16 Ben Funnell
Albert Anae 17 Tim Perry
Jono Owen 18 Nepo Laulala
Ed O'Donoghue 19 Jimmy Tupou
Dave McDuling 20 George Whitelock
Nick Frisby 21 Willi Heinz
Ben Lucas 22 Tyler Bleyendaal
Rod Davies 23 Nafi Tuitavake
Location: Suncorp Stadium Brisbane
Kickoff: Sun 11 May 16:05
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Ref 1: Rohan Hoffmann
Assistant Ref 2: Damien Mitchelmore
TMO : Steve Leszczynski
