Defensive linchpin Anthony Faingaa believes Queensland have momentum in spite of a gut-wrenching Christchurch loss but must start gaining four-try bonus points to make the Super Rugby finals.
The competition entertainers in 2010 and 2011, the Reds have yet to gain an attacking bonus point in 2012 as they have struggled to score tries due to an injury-ravaged backline.
The defending champions have scored just 18 tries in 10 matches, with three their most in any single game, as they sit ninth on the table.
Now nine points behind the Brumbies in the Australian conference, the Reds need to win five of their last six matches to guarantee a play-off berth.
With a home win over the table-topping Chiefs seen as crucial on Sunday, particularly when the Brumbies get a four-point boost from a bye, Wallabies centre Faingaa said the Reds were aiming to break the try-scoring rot.
“We have to keep believing and get bonus points and win games,” he said at Brisbane Airport on Monday.
“I think it’s something we need to look into but we have to get the win first.
“We have to get bonus points … and we have to do what we can to get bonus points.”
Reds coach Ewen McKenzie underlined that plans for victory wouldn’t be compromised by mindless attack but was confident his team’s all-round play was clicking back into gear through the return of sidelined players.
“(Four tries) happen if you play well enough across the game,” he said. “I think if you go out there and try to construct that from minute one, you’ll be behind.
“You’ve got to get in front on the scoreboard and stay in front.”
In his first run-on start in 10 weeks, the fast-rushing Faingaa was highly influential in keeping the Crusaders tryless in an impressive defensive display in the 15-11 loss on Sunday when their attack was hampered by a string of breakdown penalties.
“I feel like that momentum is starting to shift and I think it’s coming our way,” he said.
“I thought some of the stuff we did yesterday was encouraging but obviously we have a few areas to improve on.
“I’m gutted by the loss, we should have come away from Christchurch with a win.”
While the previously red-hot Crusaders backline was kept quiet, the Reds know they have just as big an assignment at Suncorp Stadium to break the Chiefs’ nine-match winning streak.
Sonny Bill Williams has struck up a fine combination with fellow All Black Richard Kahui in the centres but it’s flyhalf Aaron Cruden, in career-best form, who McKenzie rates as more influential.
“They’re playing well as a team,” the coach said.
“They’ve got a good culture going.
“They’re the benchmark side. It’s a good challenge for us at Suncorp.”
Barbara
Guest
The Chiefs will beat the Reds this weekend quite easy
Matt
Guest
Seems like the Reds are only a confidence boosting win away from clicking into gear this season. Here's hoping its not too late and the Reds turn the corner this week against the Cheifs! Is that enough Cliches for everyone?! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Harry
Guest
Most relevant place to post this. Scott Higginbotham, I Admire You: IN TODAYS AUSTRALIAN: "It is understood Higginbotham is satisfied with what Queensland is offering, subject to the ARU meeting his demands, but both the player and the Reds realise the contracting rules and the so-called salary cap, which legally have not progressed beyond draft proposals, leave his future completely up in the air. "It's all pretty complicated and it's hard to sort stuff out when you don't have a guarantee with the ARU," Higginbotham said yesterday on his return from Christchurch. "I haven't agreed to anything, I'm just focusing on my football and worrying about that at the moment. I'm definitely frustrated by it, what player's not? "I obviously want to stay in Queensland. I enjoy playing for Queensland and love Queensland, I've spent a lot of time here. But it's just a process of going back and forth with my manager and I'm trying to stay out of it." Why can't people like cooper and even genia be like this? Seriously, they'd find themselves better people. and better off in the long run ...
Kuruki
Roar Guru
It is not just an issue in this game, it has been happening all year. South Africa started the ball rolling when the Canes got slaughtered over there at the start of the season with a performance even worse then what Lawrence dished out. It seems to have caught on like wildfire, and i do question the professionalism of some of the refs in this competition when they are obviously influenced by their surroundings.Simple errors cannot justify some of the blatantly wrong decisions in favor of the home sides. Home ground advantage has reached a whole new level this year. In a move to cut costs by using home referees the Super 15 is in danger of becoming a farce. There is no question in my mind neutral refs must be used for all finals matches. Sometimes i wonder if there is hidden agendas in some of the decisions made at certain levels of the sport. Some are just simply baffling. Corruption has crept its way into sports of all types, it would be naive to think there has not been attempts successful or not at influencing results for betting purposes.
Lippy
Guest
So why do you not hold this view when your own were "bullying" others all last year Australian roarers were telling Kiwis and South Africans to suck it up, refs are only human, the better team won, if they were good they would have taking the ref out of the game. Why is it deemed ok for Australian fans to use these terms to quieten fans of opposing losing teams yet when non Australian fans use them its deemed "Bullying" I've seen some pretty ridiculous statements at the Roar but this is up there with the best if them.
chuck
Guest
Bryce was not the downfall Of Queensland lost they were themselves they were still in it playing against 14 men and did you see the captain pull them aside and tell them nothing stupid i bet you didn't and remember he referred the final last year did we hear any complaints then suck it up long way too go yet.
Sprigs
Guest
This is an Australian site so it is natural to find postings about perceptions that a NZ ref has influenced a game in favour of a NZ side playing an Australian team. And why can't people raise the issue any way? The issue of refs is a live one. This is a site for discussion and no amount of bullying should stop people putting forward their views.
Lippy
Guest
Ah they didn't keep them scoreless if they had they would have won. What the Reds did was keep them tryless a great effort which speaks volumes about their improved defence.
MR
Guest
Holding crusaders scoreless at home is a good effort, reds forwards are starting to play well in last two games (after being AWOL all season), while this will be to little and to late to qualify Reds will pose a real challenge for teams later in season
Lippy
Guest
So simply put your blaming the Ref. The Reds were not the better team if they were they would have taken tandhe ref out of the equation won. Like Jar said above, suck it up!
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Jarmen am I right in assuming that you are from the land of the long white cloud. I was sort of undecided for a time until I read the first sentence. You are right the Reds can not blame the ref for the result of the game. They were beaten by the Crusaders, however I would not go as far to say they were beaten by a better side on the day. As I said in my post the Crusaders got the rub of the green. That IMO was the difference. My post was to say I thought that Lawrence had a poor game whatever the result and his decisions were hard to justify in some instances for either side.
Jarmen
Guest
For Gods sake give it up. Suck it up and move on. The Hypocrisy that we see on this forum is unbelieveable the same teko that you lot are spitting out now is the same things you told others to suck up last year. The result is the result no matter how much bit ching you do about it it is not going to change the result much like in 2011 when Dickenson had a pearler and perceivedly gifted the Reds the win in regular season. The Reds didn't win this game because they weren't good enough just like they weren't good enough to beat the Stormers. This would have to be one of the dullest and boring games I have seen this year to date and you can't blame Lawerence for the knock ons, kicks out on the full and poor lineout throwing etc The ref bashing is tiresome and all to familiar on this site especially when an Australian team loses, practice what you preach people, the shoe is firmly on the other foot and now you cry injustice go figure? You guys are looking to just shift the blame to someone other than another inept performance by the Reds this season. Don't get me wrong I thought the Crusaders were just as bad and nearly fell asleep on a few occasions.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Yes I thought that Bryce had a poor game. Some decisions were mystifying to say the least. One in question was penalising Gill for not releasing the tackled player that resulted in the Crusaders kicking a penalty. I watched it in real time and then on replay and thought both times that he actually accentuated his release by lifting his arms in the air above his head after he made the tackle and then went for the ball and achieved the turnover. I couldn't believe that Lawrence penalised him when it was so obviously not a penalty. I am not complaining about the result what goes around comes around and the Crusaders got the rub of the green. However I do think that the refereeing influenced the result of the game and that should not happen. Worrying signs for the Reds in their scrum and I don't think that the blame should be leveled at the front row I thought that Holmes did well but Slipper might have been shaded. The second row have a lot to answer for the scrum going back, just as much as the front row. Scrums must work as a unit and that's not happening with the Reds's scrum at the moment
Red Kev
Guest
Reds going for bonus points? What a joke, if they were why did Horwill point to the posts in the final 20 mins against the Blues when they were more than 7 clear and needed only 1 more try to get that precious bonus point?
HLF Khanell
Guest
...........another blinder from Bryce.........and I mean blind............knock ons going unnoticed, obvious forward pass missed, Richie impeding Liam, and over zealousness policing the maul and scrums..................Bryce, it's about time............have you been told yet ? maybe time to hang up the boots
HLF Khanell
Guest
...........another blinder from Bryce.........and I mean blind............knock ons going unnoticed, obvious forward pass missed, Richie impeding Liam, and over zealousness policing the maul..................Bryce, it's about time............have you been told yet