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Queensland Reds will be acutely aware of their poor form coming into this game, as they attempt to tame the Bulls and get back that winning feeling at Suncorp Stadium. Join us tonight for live scores from 7.40pm AEDT.
The Queenslanders will be emotionally bruised from last week’s 12-19 loss where they were outplayed by an intelligent and resilient Western Force.
They were taken down a rung or seven by a team intent on disrupting any flow and pattern to the game. Not to say the Force killed the rugby – they played plenty of it – simply the Reds were prevented from playing theirs.
And that’s all that mattered.
It was a Brumbies-like strategy from the Force which suffocated the home team into uncharacteristic errors and ill discipline. The Reds simply couldn’t break their opponents’ defence; they copped a good old fashioned beating in return.
Genia’s reintroduction to the run-on side had no positive impact on his side’s fortunes. To say he looked lethargic would be harsh; however he was understated following a six-month injury layoff.
Quade Cooper had said in the pre-game interview for that game he was encouraged by the Reds’ ability to win games even though they had been playing badly.
Tonight’s pre-game interview will require a different tone, with the terms ‘working hard’ and ‘sticking to our systems’ a guarantee.
On the night, Cooper was unable to create any magic. He needs a few off-runners either side of him to create the chaos and he just couldn’t get the support.
He’ll destroy the world’s best when his team is playing well but you don’t want to rely on Cooper to change the paradigm of the game if you’re losing.
He certainly needs a forward pack living up to their name and going forward.
Against the Bulls that will be a challenge.
On to their opponents this week, the Bulls.
The South African bovines are fresh off a 41-19 hammering, as dished out by a scintillating Crusaders outfit intent of reminding the world that they are still here, and still very, very good.
It will be difficult for the Bulls to take many positives out of a game in which they were totally dominated in pretty well every facet.
Six tries to one, and 671m running metres to the Bulls’ 153m, Crusaders winger Tom Marshall would have managed a couple of hundred of those for the home side.
A man-handled scrum, 24 missed tackles; we could go on but it’s just not charitable to do so.
Morne Steyn’s accurate boot was the only thing that came between them and an embarrassing scoreline.
Both teams will be hurting from last week.
But the Reds have more to lose in front of their fans.
Expect a tight game.
Join us at 7.40pm AEDT tonight on The Roar, the place to be for live scores and where you can have your say on the go.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.