Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie has continued to tinker with the rebuilding Reds by making four changes to his starting side for Sunday morning’s (AEST) Super 14 clash with the win-less Lions.
Firebrand lock Adam Byrnes has been dumped from the Reds’ 22-man squad entirely while speedster Rod Davies has been picked to start at Johannesburg’s Coca-Cola Park.
Melbourne-bound Byrnes has paid the price as McKenzie looks for more mobility in his pack following Queensland’s 30-28 Durban loss to the Sharks.
Youngster Rob Simmons will start in the second-row alongside Van Humphries, while Saia Faingaa takes over from Sean Hardman at hooker and bustling No.8 Leroy Houston replaces Jake Schatz.
Although the Lions are last on the Super 14 table and possess the worst defence (conceding 45 points per match), McKenzie rates them a “complicated” opponent.
“They play a physical brand of rugby but they move the ball a lot, so mobility is key,” he said.
“They’ve got amazing statistics in terms of how much they move the ball and how many metres they run with the ball.
“They use the width of the field and they use their direct play so it’s a complicated game.”
The Reds’ need for extra mobility is reflected in McKenzie’s decision to revert to a traditional 4-3 split on the bench after taking five forward reserves in against the Sharks.
Among the four forwards are back-rowers Ezra Taylor and Schatz, while young centre Ben Tapaui is set to play his first match in 2010 off the bench.
Will Chambers, who scored two tries in Durban, remains at outside centre while Wallabies tourist Luke Morahan has made way for another young gun in Davies, who started the first three rounds before copping a broken cheekbone against the Blues.
“(Davies) exited through injury and he has played a couple of games off the bench,” McKenzie said.
“In glimpses off the bench he has shown he is a real speed asset.
“We’re not unhappy with Luke (Morahan), we’re just looking for more energy and we think Davies is starting to show that.”
The Reds sit fifth on the table, two behind the fourth-placed Stormers, and victory is vital to their hopes of an unlikely finals finish.
Although the Lions have been cellar-dwellers, Queensland haven’t beaten the Johannesburg-based team since 2006.
Queensland Reds: Peter Hynes, Rod Davies, Will Chambers, Anthony Faingaa, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia (capt);
Leroy Houston, Daniel Braid, Scott Higginbotham, Van Humphries, Rob Simmons, Laurie Weeks, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley. Res: Sean Hardman, Greg Holmes, Ezra Taylor, Jake Schatz, Ben Lucas, Ben Tapuai, Luke Morahan.
Red Rooster
Guest
Well Johnny-Boy if being "too clever" has delivered the best ladder position in 6 seasons, with 6 games to go, and has done it with the youngest and most inexperienced squad then lets get rid of him and sign a less "clever" coach and keep the status quo. If you look at the team he has picked it is the same one that dealt to the Force and beat the Cheetahs with the exception of Davies coming in. You talk about not taking risks when in fact that is actually what the Reds thrive on
Red Rooster
Guest
Cookie - If you think about it you would realise that anyone not in South Africa would and should be playing club rugby at the moment because they were not in SA. Kingi has been injured so that is why he is not in SA. Byrnes started last week so it hard to develop a conspiracy theory on 1 non selection
Brett McKay
Guest
McKenzie talked last week of needing Hardman for the Sharks game, to help counter the experienced Springboks-laden front row, so I guess it's probably more a horses-for-courses this week...
Brett McKay
Guest
Cookie, Turinui didn't even make the SA squad. I'm not certain of his status for next year, but he still isn't as old as half the guys Melbourne have signed already!!
Mike G
Guest
Agree RF, Link does seem to be moving the chairs around at a smart pace - remains to be seen if this is a masterstroke, but so far so good
johnny-boy
Guest
I think Link is overdoing the changes. It backfired last week IMO and Ioane would be better for Reds at centre. I hope Link knows what he is doing rather than trying to be too clever by half. He can afford too against Lions perhaps - I say hoping not to condemn them. It could be he is already happy enough about this season and is more interersted in next season and building experience. This is very risky and he and the team could fall flat on their faces as a consequence. When you're hot you're hot so go with it and in particular good combinations and don't think you can then afford to be too clever. Other coaches have tried this and ......OK I wont. I think we have seen this in Link before. Too much thinking forward and not enough going with what you've got cooking now. Probably trying to over compensate for being a prop.
Jameswm
Guest
It'd be a real achievement by the Reds to make the finals - given the points butchered in those Sharks and Tahs matches. Some had Morahan on the bench for the Wallabies, but he can't make the Reds run-on side?
reds fan
Guest
i was thinking the very same thing as I wrote the above.... i saw a comment from Link about two weeks ago where he said he believes its the younger, more inexperienced guys that need to be "nursed" through a full season, as they aren't sufficiently mentally or physically prepared. Maybe he thinks old Van has got more than enough in the tank.
JariusVII
Roar Rookie
I am unsure if agree with the sentiment that: "The Reds sit fifth on the table, ... and victory is vital to their hopes of an unlikely finals finish." I think the Reds have their finals destiny in their own hands. They should get a BP win v the Lions, The Bulls are beatable away from home and have leaked points all year. The stormers have been proven vulnerable away form home also and have trouble scoring points, and the reds have the second best defensive record in the comp. Brumbies and Canes away will be real tests, however unless both sides have a form reversal, i feell that the reds have proven themselves to have the ability to beat teams that are performing at the level that these two are. Final game v the highlanders will be a good opportunity to gain bonus points and spread out the for and agaisnt because these semi spots will be decided by both of these stats. Given this i would not say it is unlikely, perhaps challenging.
tarpo
Guest
RF I would have thought resting old Humpy might be more prudent given he will be needed next week against the Bulls & the travel.
reds fan
Guest
Kingi was relegated because Lucas can cover 9 and 10, which gives Link the ability to have 2 backs who will be at Reds next year on the bench and gaining experience. Having Lucas on the bench also allowed him to use a 5-2 bench last week. Weeks is going but has played every game since his announcement. Byrne has been on rotation with Simmons. I'd say that was sensible too. Byrne has played alot this year and resting him against the Lions when we have the Bulls first up when we get home would seem prudent.
cookie
Guest
I saw on another post that kingi has been relegated to club rugby. Is this the fate of anyone who dare cross Mckenzie? Bynres is out now that he has signed with melbourne.... I understand mckenzie is trying to rebuild the reds but what about this season, i honestly think they could make the finals..... Has Tuirini signed with melbourne or someone else as Mckenzie has relegated him to club rugby as well?
Mike G
Guest
Wasn't sure where you were going with this RF, but I can't agree more that what Link is doing up there has been great in terms of keeping the players on their toes...You only have to see the improvement in players like Higginbotham, the Faingaa bros and even "lazy" Leroy...Whatever Link said to these blokes preseason needs to be bottled!!
Hoy
Roar Guru
It does scare me sometimes all the tinkering. I am not one who believes in the "horses for courses" thinking. I am generally a fan of combinations, and McKenzie has generally kept the same combinations in key positions. It seems to be the wings and loosies that he tinkers and now he is fiddling with the rowers. I guess in all reality, you might as well drop Adam Byrnes if he is going next year, and develop Simmons, but even he seems to go in and out each week. One thing is for certain, the Reds are playing a lot better under McKenzie than they have for a long, long time. Cudos to him. I didn't like the choice, but it seems to be working for now.
reds fan
Guest
its interesting isn't it. Link talks alot about resting guys, making sure the young blokes last the season, giving young blokes a chance, adapting to the opposition etc... but really its all about keeping them on their toes and hungry for game time. But if you were to say that, the mystique is gone. He makes being dropped sound like a reward sometimes. I thought hiring him was a good move.... but after what he has done to the team i think its a BLOODY AWESOME move!! very impressed.
CraigB
Roar Guru
I find it interesting in a time where teams talk about stability and combinations, the Reds seem to adjust their team to suit the oppn every week. The most interesting thing is that it doesn't seem to adversely affect the team. Is Link doing something different up there or has the theory of stability been wrong all this time?