Even Queensland players were surprised when told this week that the Reds had not won in Dunedin in 32 years.
But the way Reds coaching boss Ewen McKenzie sees it, Queensland will go into Good Friday’s Super Rugby clash against the Highlanders with an unbeaten record.
Not that McKenzie is ignoring history.
In fact, McKenzie hopes ramming home the horror stat to his team will help inspire them to erase another “record” from their books.
However, McKenzie believes playing at Dunedin’s new indoor Forsyth Barr Stadium – rather than “House of Pain” Carisbrook – ensures both sides will start all square on Friday.
“If you want to look at the funny side, we are playing at a new stadium so, technically, we haven’t lost there,” McKenzie smiled.
“In terms of the Reds winning in front of a Dunedin crowd, we haven’t done it in the professional era so we need to sort that out.
“It’s a piece of history we are not happy about.
“I spoke to the team about it yesterday and even they weren’t aware of the depth of that statistic.
“But we have been very good about creating our own history and knocking off those unwanted records.”
Queensland have won seven of their nine home games against the Highlanders, however, the Reds have not emerged victorious in Dunedin since a 27-18 triumph over Otago in 1981.
But as a player, former Wallaby McKenzie reckons he only had fond memories of Dunedin’s former home ground Carisbrook.
“For me, it was a fairly successful venue. I managed to win a Bledisloe there and a few things like that,” he said.
“It wasn’t quite the House of Pain for me personally.
“But we go indoors now and that takes out the weather which is interesting.
“They are a side that likes to run and so do we so it should make for an exciting game.”
McKenzie believes the indoor venue had posed problems for goalkicking and on-field communication for other teams in the past.
But he reckoned he wouldn’t be bothering Brisbane NRL coach Anthony Griffin for tips after the Broncos played the first rugby league trial there in February.
“I won’t bother ‘Hook’. He’s got things he has to sort out,” McKenzie said of Griffin whose Broncos have slumped to a 1-2 season start.
richard
Guest
Agreed.The standard in those games wasn't much chop.It's just that our teams were even worse than the Aussies.
atlas
Guest
have to wait a long time for any 'best conference' stuff just one NZ-Oz fixture in each of the next three rounds Some teams yet to leave their home country, while the Cheetahs have four in a row in NZ/Oz imo hard to judge anything on form - Highlanders winless, but have played four games when others have played six, and two of those four against the defending champions. Not the easiest of starts. Re the two wins Red-Hurricanes, Waratahs-Blues - mediocre v mediocre in both cases. Glad I don't do sports betting.
atlas
Guest
NZ news today, Woodcock their man of choice, and JM back in the development team Jamie Mackintosh has found himself out of the match-day squad for the first time in his Super Rugby career after the off-season signing of All Black loosehead Tony Woodcock. Bronson Murray, who can play both sides of the scrum, has been preferred on the bench. Mackintosh has had to be content leading the Highlanders development team - a massive change for a player who has captained the Highlanders since 2011 and racked up 62 games for the franchise.
richard
Guest
And Waratahs-Blues.As you say,early days yet but not a good start for the so-called "best conference'.
Dasher
Roar Guru
I think there has been only one trans Tasman game this season (never thought about that until now!), and it was Reds Canes. After this weekend, the only other one will be Reds Highlanders. Can't take much stock out of either result as far as the strength of either nation's rugby goes - yet.
richard
Guest
FOS- well I am a NZer,and unlike some,have not been impressed with the standard of play by our teams.Other than the Crusaders and Chiefs,the rest of our teams have been poor.Correct me if I'm wrong,has a nz team beaten an oz team in the comp this year?
formeropenside
Guest
There are no soft games against NZ sides. And if the Force and Brumbies can beat the Reds by slowing the game down and killing the ball, then the Clan sure can.
Dasher
Roar Guru
Is this Richard Graham?
richard
Guest
Danger game,my eye.Too many old players in the Highlanders.If the game is played at pace the Reds will win in a canter. The only chance for the Highlanders is to slow the game down.Queensland by plenty.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Danger game for the Reds, the Highlanders will be stinging after their start to the season. Hope the Reds are ahead by plenty by the time Horwill leaves the field.
Atawhai Drive
Guest
Otago Daily Times has reported he's recovered from back strain and will be in selection mix.
WQ
Guest
Me to mania! Whats the go with Jamie MacIntosh, is he fit this weekend?
mania
Guest
i hope highlanders wake up