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The Queensland Reds’ 2011 success seems so long ago. Once again the proud rugby state flounders at the bottom of the table, but the Waratahs should be on alert.
Suncorp is a fortress for the Reds. Much like their rugby league counterparts they are expected to grow an extra few inches in front of a home crowd that will still be thirsty for the blood of New South Welshman.
Queensland may have lost their mojo for this season but there is no doubt that the world class cattle still lurks dormant in the Reds jersey. Expect the Reds to dislodge the morale vampire that is Richard Graham from their neck and play with the same abandon that almost scalped a full strength British Lions side.
Saturday night is the last game of 2014 for Wallabies aspirants to impress their former mentor Ewen McKenzie and show him that the Queensland ferocity in their cauldron in Paddington has not diminished.
I am predicting a fearless assault by the men in red to take the prized scalp of the minor premiers. They will swing for the fences in the last game of the season. As fate would have it, just to sweeten the deal, it is New South Wales. It is also days after the Maroons clawed back some respect at the same venue in State of Origin 3.
There is a very real anti-NSW cult in Queensland, that was particularly ignited in 1962 when NSW refused to tour as they believed that the Reds were no competitive enough.
During the 1980s we saw a refusal to tour by many Queenslanders for the 1982 Bledisloe series when the Ella brothers were picked in preferred positions by the New South Wales raised coach Bob Dwyer.
Former player Stan Pilecki has gone on record to question the heart of the Queenslanders this season – and this will serve to further stoke the furnace.
When I think of the ambushes staged in the past on finals bound teams at Suncorp it is hard to pick a favourite.
The performances the Reds have pulled on Super Rugby finalists the Bulls and the Crusaders in 2010 and 2011 respectively at Suncorp were for the ages. The 2007 Reds had the wooden spoon in their sights but also upended the Wellington Hurricanes, finalists from the previous year.
In 2008 they pounced in vengeance on the Bulls after the 90-point thrashing in South Africa the year before, and pounded them into the Suncorp turf 40-8.
Can you name your favourite ambush by a home team playing possum?
Men in the blue corner be wary – a battered former champion awaits in the red corner with one round to go… and they have nothing to left to lose.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.