Stand-in Queensland centres Ben Tapuai and Will Chambers are on notice to gate-crash the Chiefs’ farewell party and safeguard the Reds’ No.1 position in Super Rugby on Saturday.
Much-loved captain Mils Muliaina, respected playmaker Stephen Donald, star finisher Sitiveni Sivivatu and long-time coach Ian Foster are among the seven local stalwarts to be farewelled in a sentimental last-round clash at Waikato Stadium.
But Reds coach Ewen McKenzie only wants to see his table-topping team take centre stage by sealing Super Rugby’s top spot and gain the important inside running to a July 9 home decider.
It’s Tapuai and Chambers who have the biggest personal assignments in producing their defensive A-games after Queensland’s midfield was exposed in last week’s 24-21 escape act against the Western Force.
The new combination – filling in for injured pair Anthony Faingaa and Mike Harris – must rise to the challenge against one of the most unpredictable and dangerous teams in the competition.
McKenzie was pleased with Tapuai and Chambers’ ball-running games in Perth but they were caught out with slow line speed and reactions in two early tries by opposing centre Rory Sidey.
“We were disappointed about our defence against the Force, it wasn’t up to our usual standard … it’s normally an area of strength,” McKenzie told AAP.
“These guys have stepped up and it is draining when you haven’t played that much before.
“But we weren’t happy with it and we want to do better, and we know we need to do better.”
The Chiefs boast a highly-mobile back-row and can be near unstoppable if their halves Brendon Leonard and Donald receive quick ball to feed their dangerous outside men.
Despite the Reds’ standing, the Chiefs will start slight favourites at home with injury-hit Queensland missing their entire starting backline besides Wallabies duo Will Genia and Quade Cooper.
McKenzie has promoted versatile back-rower Jake Schatz at the expense of Radike Samo to help nullify the influence of All Blacks flankers Liam Messam and Tanerau Latimer.
Reactivated winger Caleb Ralph, who started his 135 match Super Rugby career with the Chiefs 14 years ago, will made an unlikely Reds debut from the bench with rookie Dom Shipperley selected to replace Luke Morahan (hamstring).
Shipperley will line up opposite tackle-busting Lelia Masaga while Rod Davies has overcome a shoulder problem to mark Sivivatu who scored a hat-trick on the Reds flyer when he made a forgettable 2009 debut.
“The worm turns,” McKenzie said. “He (Davies) is definitely a better player than he was then.”
A Chiefs loss would see them finish at the bottom of the New Zealand conference but 89-match veteran Sivivatu denied they were motivated by avoiding a wooden-spoon.
“All we’ve talked about is that it’s a big game for us and we’re just going to try and enjoy it,” the 43-Test All Black said.
“I just want to leave with a happy ending.”
Hanzo
Guest
C'mon Caleb Ralph, geez lucky aussie got their fifth franchise otherwise where would players like Caleb be! Oh yeah, retired. Build your depth from the bottom up bot the top down. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Mick
Guest
To say the starting backline is missing besides Genia and Cooper seems a bit rough. Tapuai and Davies have played some pretty good footy, and even if everyone was fit, they'd be a good shot at still starting. Forward pack is pretty stable luckily!
Dave
Guest
The Reds need to treat this as the final. Nothing less than a win or 2 bonus points is required. The Stormers will know exactly whats needed when they play, so the Reds need to put themselves out of their reach, take a week off, and limp towards the final where they can field their best side.
ben
Guest
This is going to be a very interesting game. I am very keen to see Schatz at 8 and Gill at 7. Dynamic Backrow with higgers. If the reds win this one it really is a testiment to links ability as a coach.