Reds need ‘perfect game’ against Tahs
Related coverage
Queensland Reds coach Ewen McKenzie has called on the Super Rugby champions to unleash “the perfect game” against arch-rivals NSW to storm into the playoffs.
The seventh-placed Reds are underdogs to make the finals as they need to beat the Waratahs and hope one of four teams above them are upset at home by lowly rivals this weekend.
Queensland’s best chance of continuing their title defence is scoring a bonus-point victory by crossing for at least four tries in the interstate grudge match in Brisbane on Saturday night.
But McKenzie said it would be foolish to put the cart before the horse and throw the ball around carelessly in the attempt to score tries without first gaining control of the game.
They must focus on executing their game plan to the letter.
“What we need is the perfect game this weekend to ensure that we get our best ladder position possible,” McKenzie said.
“One thing I can guarantee is we haven’t played it yet. It’s still ahead of us and I’ve been saying to the players that we’re still to play our best game of the year.
“If we were to do it this week that performance would be timely.”
The Reds are sweating on lock Rob Simmons overcoming a bad cork but expect winger Digby Ioane to return from illness and flanker Liam Gill to recover from a hamstring injury.
© AAP 2013
Have you seen the new Wallabies jersey? Want one of your own? We're giving away a brand new 2013 Wallabies jersey to one lucky Roarer, click here to go in the running to win.
The Crowd Says (14) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
- Explore:
- Ewen McKenzie, Reds, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Waratahs
July 10th 2012 @ 9:04am
Dasher said | July 10th 2012 @ 9:04am | Report comment
This ‘perfect game’ will have to be employed in the wet.
July 10th 2012 @ 9:55am
Matthew Skellett said | July 10th 2012 @ 9:55am | Report comment
Naaaahhh the REDS only need to turn up and wait out the first 20 minutes
July 10th 2012 @ 9:59am
Bearfax said | July 10th 2012 @ 9:59am | Report comment
Unfortunately I dont think the Brumbies can win the chamionship. I think the Reds can. They’ll need that bonus point and a win and that wont be easy against a wounded Waratahs. No Reds and the ttitle leaves our shore.
July 10th 2012 @ 11:11am
KiwiDave said | July 10th 2012 @ 11:11am | Report comment
Reds cant win jack away from their home. If they do make the finals they will have to beat Saders, Chiefs and Stormers away. That wont happen. Besides, their pathetic form this season will see them struggle to score 4 tries. Only time they have played to full potential is against the Chiefs.
July 10th 2012 @ 11:38am
Dasher said | July 10th 2012 @ 11:38am | Report comment
Last season they only lost to the Hurricanes and Waratahs away from home. This season has been a different story and logically they shouldn’t have the legs to win the championship. However, their team has not been at this strength for the majority of the season and should they sneak into the finals, I think you will see a vastly different and much more competitive Reds regardless of venue.
July 10th 2012 @ 3:39pm
KiwiDave said | July 10th 2012 @ 3:39pm | Report comment
Its all irrelevant really because they wont score 4 tries against the Waratahs and even if they do that doesnt assure them a place. They would still be a rough chance at best to qualify.
The Bulls at home versus the Lions will pile on 4+ tries and win. The Sharks at home against the Cheetahs would be a good chance of piling on 4 tries as well because both those sides play free flowing rugby when they play each other. Crusaders wont be losing to the Force and the Brumbies should be good enough to not lose by more than 7 to the Blues.
July 11th 2012 @ 6:44am
Red Kev said | July 11th 2012 @ 6:44am | Report comment
The Reds only chance would be to qualify 6th, then play the Brumbies in week 1 and the Chiefs in week 2 – they have beaten both teams this year and last year and would at least be in with a decent chance. That would leave them with either a trip to Cape Town, Loftus or Christchurch (none of which I’d intellectually back them to win, but a one-off would make them a possibility).
But I agree with KiwiDave – they won’t qualify.
July 10th 2012 @ 10:21am
liquorbox_ said | July 10th 2012 @ 10:21am | Report comment
Is it actually possible to overcome pneumonia in one week and be fit again?
July 10th 2012 @ 2:55pm
Cattledog said | July 10th 2012 @ 2:55pm | Report comment
No, but two weeks, yes
July 10th 2012 @ 10:03pm
numberone said | July 10th 2012 @ 10:03pm | Report comment
I really don’t see the Reds scoring 4 tries agains tthe Waratahs. This is a battle of the two neighbouring states and the Waratahs will not be giving a backward step to the men across the border. Reds probably by 5.
July 11th 2012 @ 8:40am
biltongbek said | July 11th 2012 @ 8:40am | Report comment
The Reds has two chances to qualify. As long as they go all out to score a bonus point victory.
Both the Bulls and Sharks have blown hot and cold this season. It is more than likely one of them might not get the four tries required to stay ahead of the Reds.
July 11th 2012 @ 8:40pm
Geoff Brisbane now California said | July 11th 2012 @ 8:40pm | Report comment
So the Tahs won’t roll over and try to get a 2nd team in then? Or the Tahs coud try and play open rugby which would be totally foreign for them. Or the Reds might score 4 tries and still lose or the Tahs could play negatively or the Reds may go all out and find out later that both SA teams have smashed their opposition or………… man this is getting harder to pick by the moment. Oh well Goodbye REDS.
July 11th 2012 @ 9:07pm
Bearfax said | July 11th 2012 @ 9:07pm | Report comment
Hmm. I wonder how much the ‘tahs would cost to get them to help the Reds into the finals…worth a thought. Would they take visa?
July 12th 2012 @ 1:00pm
frisky said | July 12th 2012 @ 1:00pm | Report comment
It is generally overlooked that the Reds can still make it even if teh Brumbies win top Australian spot. BUT they need a 5 pointer and hope that the Bulls and Sharks have only their “normal” wins.
They are relying on the Rebels and teh Cheetahs to perform.