The SBW show will attract Brisbane’s biggest Super Rugby crowd of 2012 on Sunday but it’s Chiefs five-eighth Aaron Cruden who the Queensland Reds will watch most closely.
While Sonny Bill Williams has enjoyed a successful transition from the Crusaders to the Waikato-based pacesetters, the defending champions will target rising All Black Cruden as the dangerman at Suncorp Stadium.
Reds halfback Will Genia admitted Cruden was more influential than former NRL star Williams and in red-hot form after guiding the Chiefs to nine straight wins.
A former New Zealand under-20s star, the 23-year-old has delivered on his huge potential thanks to an unexpected World Cup call-up following injuries to All Blacks playmakers Dan Carter and Colin Slade.
“He’s obviously taken a lot of confidence from the World Cup last year and now he’s playing exceptionally well,” Genia said on Wednesday.
“He’s got the luxury of having guys like Sonny Bill and (Richard) Kahui and (Lelia) Masaga outside him, which would make any team’s job a lot easier – that’s not to take any credit away from him.
“He’s definitely a massive threat for us moving into this game and we just have to make sure we do our homework on him.”
Cruden and Williams both arrived at the Chiefs this year from other New Zealand franchises and immediately struck up a match-winning 10-12 combination under the tutelage of former All Blacks attacking guru Wayne Smith.
Drawcard Williams’ presence has Reds’ officials expecting a 35,000-plus crowd on Mothers’ Day – breaking their previous best mark this season of 34,126 for the round-three match against the Melbourne Rebels.
Although he’s continued to showcase his brilliant line-breaking and offloading with the Chiefs, Queensland will fancy their chances of nullifying the dual international at Suncorp.
Reds’ centre Anthony Faingaa quelled the red-hot Robbie Fruean in Christchurch while the Queensland backline twice last year kept Williams quiet in epic home wins over the Crusaders.
“There was a big deal made about Sonny when we played the Crusaders last year but all you have to do is tackle low and make sure you do your best to stop the offload and I guess you nullify that threat,” Genia said.
Coming off a gut-wrenching 15-11 loss to the Crusaders, ninth-placed Queensland are viewing Sunday’s match as a must-win for their play-off chances.
Wallabies halfback Genia actually believes the Reds can’t afford to lose any of their last six matches, as the Brumbies sit nine points clear on the Australian conference.
“To be a good chance, we have to win the next six which is obviously a tough ask,” he said. “But in saying that, last year we won eight in a row.”
MR
Guest
After watching last weeks match against the crusaders I don't think Slipper or Holmes are any better, Daley is far superior around the park and a much better defender. As GRS mentions if he had a better push behind him the scrum may go a bit better. If you haven't noticed, the Reds strategy revolves around the break down and therefore the back row don't really commit themselves to the scrum like they should.
jack
Guest
watch for masaga and/or nanai-williams and maybe even augustine pulu. i think they are the real danger men for this match. rennie and smith will utilise SBW mainly for diversionary dummy runs, knowing that faingaa will more likely than not have SBWs measure. they wont bother having SBW getting caught in the defensive traffic. instead they will use him with dummy runs to weaken fainga & co's defense - enabling especially masaga to punch holes through at will. the coaches realise that the reds of 2012 don't have the same level of defensive depth as last year. however, i think in the last ten minutes SBW will be given a license to actually attack the line of a possibly exhausted defense that will most likely also have crumbled in confidence and self-belief. i think genia's reminding his teammates over the past week that they need to win every game from now on will come back to haunt him as the reds wont be able to cope with the pressure - especially without the talismanic Quade COoper.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
See my thoughts above on what I think the Chiefs back line will try and do Justin. Gill is going to have a big role in this match, and his performance will go along way to helping Lucas. The forward match ups should be interesting too. Years gone past you could count on bullying the Chief's forwards, but not this year. In defence it will be interesting if the Chief's try the outside in defensive pattern. The reds excel against New Zealand teams when they get fast ruck ball and move it from side to side in 2 phases, really stretching the defence. A typical counter is the above mentioned defence to stop the ball mid field and slow its movement, giving more time to the defence to realign. The Crusaders tried this, but then Lucas put in a pin point kick getting outside Furen, which exposed a lot of space. He also did this against the Blues. After each kick it really kept the defence honest and mitigated the umbrella style, allowing for more of that quick movement. This one is going to be good, I can't wait.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
I'll stand by that comment. I agree that SBW is much improved, and Rennie & Smith seem to be really getting the best out of him. Faingaa for all his detractors, is an astute defender and really makes a difference regarding organisation. Justin mentions Lucas and Harris as being in SBW's channel, but I think the Chief's will try and attack Harris's outside shoulder forcing Faingaa to move in a bit, forcing him to make some tough calls regarding positioning. The purpose of this would be to expose and isolate Shipperly, I think this is weakest area in the Reds backline. Either way I am looking forward to this battle immensely.
Moaman
Guest
I agree DS.I have watched a fair bit of the Chiefs' matches over the last few seasons.....and I am thrilled they have turned the corner into a seriously competitive side that blends in some steel with the fire and dash that always existed.
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
I think you'll find most Manawatu supporters would have been quietly bullish about the chiefs this year given the year on year improvement the turbos had over the last 5 seasons ... And then when Smith came onboard the potential was in place for them to really go places .... How the hurricanes let both Rennie and Joseph slip is mystifying
Justin
Guest
It will be Lucas and Harris defending SBW most of the time I would have thought. ANd I think Gill will be all over Cruden like a cheap suit (or will be trying to be).
WQ
Guest
Statistically anyway Moaman. I also think they may have just relaxed a bit over the last few games, possibly lost that edge they have been playing with? They will either get themselves up for this or the Reds may get them. Regardless, I think they are on a path to the Super Rugby finals and will be very hard to beat! I agree wholeheartedly with your comments re the dangers lurking in their backline. I also think there are plenty of dangers and very powerful ball carriers in the forward pack.
AussieKiwi
Guest
Faingaa has not problems with SBW, so he isn’t a threat. MIght just be quoting you on that one next week! SBW is a much improved player this year.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Yes I am having trouble getting my head around the Chiefs being the top Kiwi team after years of mediocrity. Full marks to them for their effort though. Red Kev I wholeheartedly agree with Slipper as a loosehead. Daley is good around the park but as you say he just can't scrummage. He may get better when he reaches some maturity. I have this belief that (Props baring the rare exception) are at their best when they are nearly 30+, Slipper and Daley have a way to go yet, that's why Holmes seems to be getting back to some form that he used to have, he is now 28 - 29. I don't think he is the best around but if he continues to improve he will get another go at being a Wallaby IMO. Maybe not in the immediate future but in a couple of years from now. The Franks bros are exceptions and are formidable opponents I was not surprised that the Crusaders scrum got the better of the Reds. I also have an opinion that Horwill is not playing as well as he was last year, I have always had the belief that he is not a great pusher in the set piece and never has been. And as for Simmonds he is just a boy. I have no doubt that Simmonds will improve and his best is away down the track, baring injury he will be a force over the next few years culminating around next WC. The Reds scrum is going to be great in a couple of years if the same personal stay put, they will all be aging at about the same rate and will IMO reach some maturity that is required over the next 2 - 4 years. Whether we can be patient as fans is another question to be debated
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Faingaa has not problems with SBW, so he isn't a threat. The key match up will be Cruden and Lucas. Cruden has been in white hot form, and it will be a real test for Lucas to play him.
Moaman
Guest
It is a bit surreal reading these comments and thinking that somehow the Chiefs have come of age and people are starting to really rate them.
jack
Guest
i don't think the reds will be able to compete against the chiefs. without quade, the reds are simply not inventive or unpredictable enough to threaten a team with as solid a defense as the chiefs.
Red Kev
Guest
The Reds need a tighthead it's as simple as that. Slipper is a better loosehead scrummager. Daley just straight up can't scrummage. The Reds need to buy themselves a monster no.3 from overseas and compensate for his low work rate with Slipper and Hanson around the park.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I thought that the Red's defence was excellent last week and if they are as good this week they might be in with a show. That's a big might, but stranger things have happened. They are playing at Suncorp so they will get a bit of a home ground advantage. The forwards worry me though. I don't think that Slipper and Daley are performing as they were last year. The Reds scrum got smashed a few times last week and it wasn't Holmes that was the problem Slipper was obliterated by Franks. As I said in a few posts the 2 row needs to push a bit harder that's were you get some power from. Its OK having some strong props but if you haven't got some real power from behind them they just get pushed off the ball and once you are going back it's hard to arrest that motion. If they gain some parity then you might see an upset. Here's hoping.
allblackfan
Guest
OMG!! The only guy worse than BL!!
Red Kev
Guest
I wonder if Cruden and Lucas will intentionally drop the ball and dare Jonker to blow his whistle for a knock on :D
Justin
Guest
Certainly is, each player will have to have faith in their inside man in defence. It will be about work rate on defence and attitude.
Justin
Guest
If the Kiwis are talking up Taylor then Lucas has to be in the mix doesnt he? He was very good last week.
Moaman
Guest
"Due for a loss" by which I presume you mean because of complacency? Apparently they got a rark up from the coaches following their patchy performance against the Lions.Probably the most impressive facet of the Chiefs this year,for me,has been their composure and consistancy. I struggle to take much/any of the pre-match posturing seriously but I do think the Reds wouldn't want to focus on shutting down Cruden to the extent they forget about the other,various threats wider out.It is a backline chock full of menace.