Returning strike weapon Digby Ioane has boasted Queensland will field their strongest team of the year to attempt mission improbable in Saturday night’s Super Rugby grudge match against NSW.
The Reds need an unlikely bonus-point victory in forecast wet conditions at Suncorp Stadium to be a solid shot of making the play-offs but Ioane believes they now have the team to produce the perfect game demanded by coach Ewen McKenzie.
Ioane has recovered from pneumonia to be named along with Liam Gill (hamstring) as the two changes to the side which withstood the Highlanders 19-13 last Saturday.
The Wallaby winger’s recovery is a huge boost to the defending champions’ hopes and ensures they have the deadly combination of Ioane and playmaker Quade Cooper together fully fit for the first time in 2012.
Only captain James Horwill (hamstring surgery) is missing from their best 15 in a welcome change after an injury-plagued campaign.
“I’m just glad that everyone’s back,” Ioane said on Thursday. “We’ve got Quadey and myself, everyone’s fit to play and we’ve got our best footy ahead of ourselves.
“It will be our best side this weekend … and everyone is keen against NSW.
“It’s State of Origin for us and we haven’t played our best footy. We’re still waiting for that.”
Despite coughing up blood as he was grounded a fortnight ago, a confident Ioane had no doubts he’d be at 100 per cent against the Waratahs as he stated matter of factly he was “the fittest guy in the team”.
McKenzie described the destructive 25-Test showman as an enigma.
“He’s either fit or he’s not – there’s no in-betweens. If he’s out there, he’s playing 80 minutes at 100 per cent,” said McKenzie.
The coach said Ioane, who was controversially suspended for five weeks for a lifting tackle in March, had epitomised the Reds.
“He had a brilliant season last year and, for lots of reasons, it’s a bit like the whole season for us – it’s been hard to get going,” McKenzie said.
“There’s been some small moments but we haven’t collectively come together and this would be a nice game where everything clicked.”
As expected, Wallabies lock Rob Simmons was named to start in the second-row but failed to train on Thursday morning as his badly-swollen knee continues to improve.
Queensland: Luke Morahan, Dom Shipperley, Anthony Faingaa, Mike Harris, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia (capt), Scott Higginbotham, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Saia Faingaa, Greg Holmes. Res: James Hanson, Ben Daley, Radike Samo, Beau Robinson, Jarrad Butler, Ben Lucas, Ben Tapuai.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Pretty inaccurate summation, eh Dave :) Seems too many Kiwis on this site have a greater emphasis on confidence rather than ability in the posting stakes.
Dan
Guest
well then its all done and dusted seen as though u are a guru
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
Australian sides playing in the wet....I doubt the Reds will score 4 tries. I doubt they will score 2 tries. It will be an ugly scrappy affair, reminiscent of the Australia Scotland match. The Reds are kidding themselves if they think they will score 4 tries in the mud. On a dry track maybe. In the mud....nope. They will be hoping for the Cheetahs to win. That will be their only finals chance
Cattledog
Roar Guru
A strong team with a strong bench. Link knows how to use a bench so that shouldn't be an issue. Perhaps the wet conditions will pass, which would make for a better contest. However, there will still be some moisture and the team who controls the ball better will be the ultimate winner. Four tries will be a big ask, considering the likely conditions, but certainly not beyond the realms of possibility. The City vs Country clash as the curtain raiser should also be a good game. Will be difficult for Country to match last year's feats, but who knows. A strong City team comprising academy players (of which Country have none) should account for Country fairly easily. A real David vs Goliath contest.