Like a proud father, master coach Rod Macqueen has watched the deeds of Ewen McKenzie with great joy but nothing would please him more than upsetting his one-time apprentice at AAMI Park.
Macqueen’s Melbourne Rebels face what he terms as the “ultimate test” against a fellow Australian side in Friday night’s clash with McKenzie’s high-flying Queensland Reds.
Not only are the Reds third on the Super Rugby table and smarting from a last-gasp loss to the Hurricanes, McKenzie has picked his best team of the season to play the Rebels.
Queensland halfback Will Genia on Thursday rated it the strongest available, Macqueen agreeing and admitting his side had a massive assignment against the outfit that inflicted a record 53-3 thrashing against them in round five.
The former World Cup-winning Wallabies coach was McKenzie’s mentor at the Brumbies in 1996 and 1997 and rates him a logical candidate to succeed Robbie Deans if the Kiwi moved back to New Zealand next year.
“Ewen’s doing a great job and has proven himself as a great coach,” Macqueen told AAP.
“Queensland are doing really well and it’s important to respect that.
“You would have to say this would be (the Reds’ strongest side) which is good … you like to compare yourself against the best team in Australia.
“They’re playing exciting rugby at the moment.”
While the Reds are dazzling rugby fans with Test halves Genia and Quade Cooper pulling the attacking strings, the Rebels are coming off three straight losses.
But they were breathing easier on Thursday with five-eighth James Hilgendorf being cleared of a shoulder problem at a time star import Danny Cipriani is sidelined for disciplinary reasons.
Macqueen has made two changes to the starting team that went down late to NSW with Kiwi back-rower Hoani Macdonald replacing hard-tackling league convert Jarrod Saffy (groin) and former Reds prop Laurie Weeks called into the front row.
Weeks’ promotion from the bench sees veteran New Zealander Greg Somerville move across from tighthead to loosehead with Rodney Blake rotated out.
Neither Rebels props would have nice memories of the last meeting between the two sides with Queensland loosehead Ben Daley barging over Weeks for his first Super Rugby try and Somerville embarrassingly dropping the ball over the goal-line.
Both Daley (broken nose) and fellow Wallabies prop James Slipper (collarbone) have returned from injury in a massive boost for the Reds.
“They’re unbelievable to have back in the side and everyone is looking forward to seeing their impact … because their work-rate is unbelievable,” Genia told AAP.
“It’s like having another couple of flankers out there.
“They’re blokes you love having in your side.”
But Queensland still remain wary of a fledgling Rebels outfit that has upset both the Brumbies and Hurricanes at home.
“They’re a much better team at home than on the road and when they’re on they’re a very, very good side and can cause some upsets and play some enterprising footy,” Genia said.
p.Tah
Guest
Given the injuries/suspensions I thought the Rebels did well. The Reds were definitely off their game and the Rebels rattled them at the breakdown.
Nat @ brisbane
Guest
As the Reds found against the Canes and the Tahs found against the Cheetahs, every game is dangerous and the Rebels at home have already surprised other teams. These are the games that need to be won by the Reds to stay in touch with the top of the overall table. Go Reds! You will need to dig deep.
Deez
Guest
On their day, the Rebels can be an awesome team - solid veteran tight five, very competitive and energetic back row and some wise heads with solid skills mixed with some youthful energy in the backline. Replacing Kingi at fullback was good-he is not a fullback. With the loss of Cipriani (aka poor man's Quade Cooper), the rebs will loose some attacking flair, but on net I think the addition you get w hilgendorf in defence is a net gain. Here's hoping that they pull it together for a good match tonight (although I'll still be cheering for a Reds win!).
Wall-Nut
Guest
Reds by 30points it's a no brainer -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
MacQueen's got two chances of causing an upset Buckley's and none. Stupid play by Cipriani and Kingi now they will not be there to assist their team, I agree with Will Carlin the ex England Captain when he said that Cipriani doesn't appear to be a team player. As for Kingi, I've heard the same about him when he was here in Brisbane, seems he had an extremely high opinion of himself and was a bit of a pain to his team mates. I don't think there was too many tears shed when he announced that he was going to the Rebels. What makes some blokes so arrogant and others so humble is it their up bringing or what? I know that self belief is essential but some players carry it too far. Cipriani for all his talent could become a millstone around the neck of MacQueen. Judging on his current attitude the Rebels will be happy to see the back of him at the end of next year, that's if he stays. IMO the Rebels would not be too upset if he were to take up an offer from Europe for next season, then they could move on in the immediate future. The Rebels will take another two years to become competitive, at the moment they have a mish mash of players from all over the place, it will take time for these players to inject their experience and then move over for others to take their place in a more concrete team. I'd like to see Mortlock stay on in a coaching capacity as his attitude and leadership is essential to the Rebels forming a solid Super rugby side