Super Rugby’s table-topping Reds have joined their cross-code Queensland counterparts, the Maroons, in feeling 10-foot tall and bullet proof at their Suncorp Stadium fortress.
Basking in the glow of a 17-16 win over Super Rugby favourites the Crusaders, hooker Saia Faingaa on Monday said the Reds believe they are invincible at league’s “Cauldron”.
Faingaa credited Sunday’s record 48,301-strong crowd for lifting Queensland over the line in a titanic battle played with a Test-like intensity.
It was the Reds’ 12th straight victory at the venue dating back to round two last year, also earned against the seven-time champions, and the Wallabies rake said confidence was sky high anytime they played at home.
“It feels like our fortress now and it feels like we can’t lose there,” he told AAP.
The sell-out crowd smashed the competition’s record Australian attendance of 42,237, set in 2004 when the Reds beat arch-rivals NSW in the first Super match played at Suncorp Stadium.
Home success had been sparse in the years following, in contrast to Queensland’s rugby league team.
The Maroons have dominated league’s State of Origin for the past six seasons and have traditionally fed off the cauldron-like atmosphere at Lang Park.
The Reds also grew with it on Sunday as the Crusaders surged in the last 20 minutes and twice hammered Queensland’s line with continual pick-and-drives but failed to cross the chalk, instead opting for penalty goals.
Faingaa said the deafening support helped Reds players pick themselves up time after time to repel the onslaught.
“They were camped on our try-line for numerous phases and we were under the pump but they only came away with the three points – that’s unheard of for the Crusaders,” he said.
“We were out on our feet.
“I hope we meet them again in the finals and I hope that it’s at Suncorp. If we do it will be another spectacular game.”
It would certainly ensure another financial windfall for the cash-strapped Queensland Rugby Union and the Reds could get two more big pay days if they finish on top of the ladder and win their home preliminary final.
Coach Ewen McKenzie said the huge crowd wasn’t just a boost for his team but the code as well at a time when support in Sydney was drying up.
“The noise and the atmosphere was very football-like, soccer-like in terms of the UK – the competition between the fan bases with the chanting, it was a good occasion, it wasn’t like a typical rugby crowd,” he said.
Although just one-point separated them at the death, almost identical stats sheets also proved there was hardly a struck match between Queensland and the Cantabrians.
Only the Crusaders’ set-piece superiority and the 11-5 penalty count to the Reds were a contrast.
“I’ve never seen a closer set of stats,” said McKenzie. “There’s basically one kick or one pass or one metre between the teams across most sectors.”
Photon
Guest
Go figure!! Haha
winston
Guest
nice!
Comrade Bear
Guest
I'm too damaged from watching too many Reds losses - it'll be years before I go into a game feeling confident of a win. Having said that it is good to hear the confidence of the players.
Uncle Eric
Guest
Wrong! There's were two forward passes in the movement for the Reds' first try.
Bazza All Black
Guest
I do think the Ref had a shocker (not surprising as he is not good enough for the World Cup selection squad) but the Reds played very well and the Crusaders basically squandered two tries. The trick with any team is to have enough points in the bank to make neutral the ref and the 'saders not not do that. Same in the last World Cup, Barnes had a shocker but our boys in Black did not respond to his "Style" and work to the conditions. Drop goals are boo'd in New Zealand but a couple in 2007 would have been very helpful!
Cattledog
Guest
Having self belief is different to being arrogant. I believe they are only exuding self belief, not arrogance. This is not a jinx (if you believe in that sort of thing), but more a statement that they enjoy the challenge and with the crowd support, can overcome most odds. As we have seen several times this season, any team can get up and defeat another team. Whilst I see it being unlikely, based purely on form, that the Reds will lose to the Brumbies, it's certainly a possibility as it is any of the other top rated teams being toppled. I do have an issue with teams showing an arrogant disregard for an opponent, which inevitably comes back to bite them. However, Saia is only saying what I think the team as a whole believes and as the Crusaders have done year in and year out (and the Wallabies in the 1999 RWC), they have gained strength from this self belief. Roll on the weekend and may the best team (on the day) win!
Roarr
Guest
why are there more kiwis on these sports websites than aussies. all week all you hear about is how the reds are pretenders and are gonna get shown up by blues,crusaders etc etc. Then after the game for the next week all you hear about is how they didnt deserve to win. Geez, give it a rest.
Cattledog
Guest
Yawn...build a bridge, mate.
winston
Guest
“It feels like our fortress now and it feels like we can’t lose there" Way to jinx it boys. A loss to the brumbies on the cards?
CraigB
Roar Guru
geez the sour grape harvest is early in NZ this year. Must be something to do with the world cup...
jokerman
Guest
Of course the Reds felt invincible. 16 players on 15! woops the touch judes were Austalian too. 18 on 15!
flying hori
Guest
Well done Dickinson, the best bit of reffing so far in suparugby, same with the TJs, hope your back come semifinal time when the saders sail back over to meet the Reds at suncorp.Shame on you Richie for getting it wrong, shame on you for letting the forward pass go unnoticed for the Reds 1st try and shame on you for not seeing the knockon by Monaham and shame on you for conceding 15 obvious unquestionable penalties and allowing the Reds only 2!
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
What a ground, what a crowd, what a team. You guys have probably seen this........... http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby-union/queensland-reds-now-most-watched-rugby-union-team-as-television-ratings-double-in-two-years/story-e6frepm6-1226065912324#
Harry
Guest
Its 13 years since the Reds have beaten ACT in Brisbane. Don't get too carried away. Hardly convinving in Canberra the first game ... Players like Moore, Alexander, Chisolm, Giteau and AAC will de desperate to win to "save" their season and boost their Wallaby chances. They will give it their all knowing that this is their last real "big" game of the year and a great opportunity to stand out. Deans has already put them on notice that he is watching the last 3 games very clearly.
Bazza All Black
Guest
Well, like I say, NEVER write off the Ozzies.... They also can score from anywhere....
johnny-boy
Guest
Just keep the feet on the ground. Way to go yet and their best is yet to come