The Festival Part 2: Reds v. Tahs preview

One of the best features of the new Conference system adopted by SANZAR for the SupeRugby tournament is that we get return bouts in our grudge matches. The first of these happens in Oz this weekend, and it couldn’t happen to a better pair of teams: two that have traditionally shown understanding and togetherness over the years, New South Wales and Queensland.

This is a match-up that rarely requires much added spice; the fact that they are playing each other is usually enough. But as usual, there is spice, from the Radike Samo accusation that Tatafu Polota-Nau is actually trimming his fro, to the Reds finding themselves in the unusual position of starting as favourites. Coach Link is chasing his first win over the Tahs since taking the reins of the Reds and you can tell that though he really wants it, he is having trouble getting over the legacy he created. Luke Morahan commented today that the Waratahs are the number one team in Australia, owing to the strength they have shown over the last decade, and the Reds can’t feel comfortable being on top of the table without beating them.

So, to the match. Unusually for the Reds, they have been forced to make a few changes due to injuries. Given the high tempo they are playing at it’s a credit to the conditioning staff (and a little to Lady Luck, no doubt) that they have been able to keep the boys on the field thus far. Out goes tighthead James Slipper, who has succumbed to a collarbone injury; his replacement Guy Shepherdson may be only a recent Reds debutant, but he came to the Reds with 71 caps for the Brumbies and 18 for the Wallabies. Guy got the nod over reserve Greg Holmes, as Link prefers playing a specialist tighthead when he can. Holmes is a pretty handy replacement, though — a nice indicator of the depth the Reds have been building.

The other change to the starting lineup sees Ben Lucas moving into fullback after making a great cameo on his return from injury last week. Former fullback Luke Morahan is taking over Rod Davies’s wing spot, Davies having a sustained knee ligament damage against the Bulls. The last change sees 20-year-old flyer Dom Shipperley come onto the bench.

Down south there have been changes due to injury as well — not players being forced out, but players returning from injury, and they are some key men at that. Captain Phil Waugh is back and big Wycliff Palu returns too, giving the Tahs m a full-strength back row (including Ben Mowen at 6). Kane Douglas’s treatment for having a dose of Second Year Syndrome is a stint on the bench, with Sitaleki Timani making his first start for the Tahs to partner Dean Mumm in the second row. The front row stays the same.

There’s just one change to the backs, with Halangahu dropping to bench to make way for Tom Carter’s return. The Tahs really missed Tom’s defence against the Blues; Al Baxter said on our podcast this week that he’ss the lynchpin in the Tahs’ defensive line, both in structured and unstructured defence. The continued absence of Berrick Barnes is costly, for while Kurtley is doing a good job at fly-half, I can’t help thinking the Tahs might be better off returning KB to fullback and playing Hangas at 10.

The Reds had a slow start to 2011 but have been riding a massive wave of form ever since. They will start favourites for the first time in years, but the Tahs won’t be lying down. As I’ve noted before, the six-win overall streak and the nine-game Suncorp streak started after a beating from the Tahs.

Key matchup: Quade Cooper v. Kurtley Beale. Quade has been proving this year why he is such a formidable attacking weapon, with his vision and immaculate pass. Kurtley has been put back into his original position at fly-half, and it will be interesting to see if he has found his groove after a few weeks there. As I said above, I can’t help but think the Tahs would be better served with him at 15, but it is going to be great to see these two against each other.

Tip: As a man with New South Wales heritage (having grown up in Coffs Harbour), I have always followed the Waratahs. However, I live in Brisbane now and have had the opportunity to spend a bit of time around Link and the boys, to the point where I copped a bit of a spray this morning from Quade over my choice of coffee. I just don’t feel the hatred common to fans of the other Aussie provinces. I laughed at the Reds when they were hosting barbecues instead of playing finals. I enjoyed tipping the first year the Force played because of the guaranteed points in the bag. Every year I boldly predict that although the Tahs look like world beaters, they will fall short in a new and creative way (this has never failed yet). I am still not sure what is happening in Melbourne, but I know it happens every other week. I laugh every time the Brumbies have sacked their coach and imploded on their own self-importance. As long as they come together for the Wallabies, all is well in the world. But this time, since I am forced to choose, I am going to have to say that this match will be tough, probably the toughest game of attrition this year. I feel the Reds will get over the top, but not by much — say 4 points.

Teams:

Reds: 15. Ben Lucas, 14. Luke Morahan, 13. Anthony Faingaa, 12. Mike Harris, 11. Digby Ioane, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia (vc), 8. Scott Higginbotham, 7. Beau Robinson, 6. Radike Samo, 5. James Horwill (c), 4. Rob Simmons, 3. Guy Shepherson, 2. Saia Faingaa, 1. Ben Daley. Reserves: 16. James Hanson, 17. Greg Holmes, 18. Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19. Leroy Houston, 20. Liam Gill, 21. Will Chambers, 22. Dom Shipperley.

Waratahs: 15. Lachie Turner, 14. Tom Kingston, 13. Ryan Cross, 12. Tom Carter, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Kurtley Beale, 9. Luke Burgess, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Phil Waugh (c), 6. Ben Mowen, 5. Sitaleki Timani, 4. Dean Mumm, 3. Sekope Kepu , 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson. Reserves: 16. John Ulugia, 17. Al Baxter, 18. Kane Douglas, 19. Dave Dennis, 20. Pat McCutcheon, 21. Brendan McKibbin, 22. Daniel Halangahu.