Queensland have made five changes, will sport three skippers and are down to their fourth-choice ball-pilferer, but the Reds’ game plan is crystal clear on Saturday night: Run the Bulls into the ground.
Coaching boss Ewen McKenzie and run-on debutant Jarrad Butler aren’t hiding the fact they aim to exhaust the monster Bulls pack with a high-octane game that has worked wonders against the South Africans in their past two Super Rugby visits to Suncorp Stadium.
The only problem is the main linkman in pulling the strategy off, red-hot openside flanker Liam Gill, has been rested from the clash with a minor knee injury.
Wellington-born Butler is the man who must step up in the vital position with back-up No.7 Beau Robinson (ankle) also sidelined and Radike Samo’s (knee) absence preventing a back-row reshuffle for No.8 Jake Schatz to start at openside.
It will a daunting baptism for the 21-year-old but McKenzie has plenty of faith he can fill Gill’s big boots with the help of back-row partners Schatz and Ed Quirk.
“Liam’s been outstanding,” the coach said. “But in the end, what I like about Jarrad Butler is he knows all three back-row positions. He’ll fill in well.
“He’s a very tidy player, doesn’t make mistakes and he’s got good rugby instincts.”
Butler admitted he preferred playing at No.6 or No.8 but stressed numbers would mean little as the Reds try to stop the massive Bulls forwards gaining momentum up the middle.
“We really have to really run them off their feet and, when we do go wide, we’re going to have to be there and make sure it’s all clean (recycling at the breakdown),” he said.
“That’s the job we’re going to do on Saturday.”
In making five changes to the starting team which was upset 19-12 by the Western Force last weekend, McKenzie revealed his biggest selection dilemma was on the bench where the Reds will sport a forward-heavy 5-2 split.
Youngsters Curtis Browning and Nigel Ah Wong are set to make their Super Rugby debuts in the second half as the home side strives to lift the tempo further.
“We need a high-octane performance up front and we need to move these (Bulls) guys around and we’ve made an investment across 80 minutes,” McKenzie said.
In his first match in 10 months, Wallabies skipper James Horwill will make a 40-minute return before handing over the captaincy reins to Will Genia, who will be benched at the hour mark.
Hooker James Hanson, to start instead of Saia Faingaa (neck), warned the Bulls that 117kg lock Horwill would be an immediate handful.
“I feel sorry for the person who first has to tackle him – there’s a lot of frustration pent up there,” Hanson said.
“He’s had a bit of time to prepare physically and, if you ask him, he’s in the best shape of his life.”
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