The Queensland Reds have shrugged off their Digby dramas and targeted a new piece of Super Rugby history by beating the Blues on Friday night to complete a Kiwi clean sweep.
No Australian side has beaten all their New Zealand opponents in a single season in the competition’s 17-year history, but the Reds are hungry to be the first when they host the surprise-packet Aucklanders.
Queensland have already racked up narrow wins over the Hurricanes, Highlanders and defending champion Chiefs this season to highlight their skill in trans-Tasman battles.
The only team to have brushed aside all their Kiwi rivals was the Cape Town-based Stormers in 2010 when they went on to make the final.
Even the 2001 and 2004 champion Brumbies outfits fell short, winning four of their then five trans-Tasman games, and Reds coaching boss Ewen McKenzie is keen to capture a “unique achievement”.
“We’re always interested in those little bits of opportunity and making a little bit of history,” McKenzie said. “We had a chat about that the other day and we’ll reinforce that.
“We’re a side that takes pride in ticking off new milestones and breaking hoodoos.”
Under McKenzie, the Reds have a great 14-4 record against Kiwi sides, including a memorable 30-13 semi-final victory over the Blues at Suncorp Stadium in 2011.
The Blues return to Suncorp as the shock leaders of the New Zealand conference thanks to an immediate revival under new coach John Kirwan.
A potent attacking outfit with a dynamic back-row and dangerous outside backs, the refreshed Blues will fancy their chances of coming off their bye to upset a Reds outfit drained by their brutal 19-19 draw with the Brumbies.
Queensland have also had to endure a tumultuous week with Wallabies winger Digby Ioane revealing he would walk out on the club after this season due to a murky contract dispute.
Hooker Saia Faingaa, one of just two front-row alterations to the Reds’ 22, denied the issue had affected the playing group – or Ioane.
While the QRU has maintained a hard line with Ioane’s management and threatened legal action, the door remains open for him to play out the third and final year of his lucrative contract in 2014.
McKenzie said he wouldn’t be surprised to see Ioane still running around in a Reds jersey next year, just as Will Genia did after initially deciding to leave for the Western Force 12 months ago.
“Until there’s pen on paper, it’s never say never for me,” he said.
“He’s loose, free and easy like he always is and he’s in good humour.”
Coincidentally, it was a backs-to-the-wall win over the Blues in Auckland which helped change Genia’s mind last year.
The Blues have stood down three-quarters Francis Saili and George Moala but still have plenty of firepower out wide with Rene Ranger moving into the midfield and Albert Nikoro starting on the wing.
Justin2
Guest
And oddly you are a newish poster defending wii like a white knight
winston
Roar Rookie
Correction, they called it history when they went undefeated for the entire season.
Renee Matey
Roar Rookie
Frequent Roar-reader, infrequent poster. No offence intended ... hello to you too, Wii
Kippa
Guest
Traditionally the kiwi teams fly in on a Tuesday or Wednesday to play on a Friday, not the day before. They would have had no training run on Thursday and would highly doubt Friday morning. I thought it was odd. I doubt they would be jet lagged.
winston
Roar Rookie
i doubt it.
Chivas
Guest
Pretty sure he doesn't need me to tell him J2. Based on Genia, Horwill, Tapuai, Palu being unavailable and the fact Cooper can't play without Genia, I imagine selection becomes somewhat more difficult. Then half the ring ins were injured we have holes. Finally players dropping virtually every match means consistency becomes a greater issue. I am not suggesting all of RD's choices have been on the money. He was selected as coach by a board. Did he have a 100% approval? Probably not. No coach does... Graham Henry, Laurie Mains, John Hart.. none of them did. I also don't think they have to justify their decisions to us, but and I may be wrong they are accountable to the board of selectors. The fact such vitriolic comments are made perturbs me though. If it is just because he wasn't born in Australia or he's not coaching someone's favourite I can understand as patriotism. But just to continually crap on someone doesn't show much genuine support of the national team. If he is so poor why is he still the national coach. There are clearly those with much greater knowledge that think he is not dong this great damage to Wallaby rugby that continues to be thrown up and under the circumstances and among the alternatives he is actually delivering things which are positive. Love it if Jiggs and co. could provide a balanced view. Not detracting from his opinion which for him is sound, but the fact that it's not balanced just weakens it if indeed it has any validity. It's laziness when someone else makes loose unsubstantiated comments and I am a troll for pointing it out?!? Did I go on too much. If so apologies and it's not an attack on Jiggs as I like reading his comments... for the most part :-)
Justin2
Guest
Spot on chivas, selections do determine your style of play. Mind telling deans that?
Justin2
Guest
Not worried about byes, they've only lost 3 matches. No hype either I just think they are on the up and will cause a few more upsets this year with a young and exciting squad.
Chivas
Guest
You criticised me for pointing out that others making comments without a substantive reason is no different to your commentary on Deans. But here you have made my point. What does a future coach need to undo in your opinion. Surely selections determine your style of play. Are you sure your negativity isn't clouding your perception. I hope the Wallabies have a great year and do so under any coach. You seem to be making excuses for the next coach and the one after. The AB's have had issues with various coaches, but there is nothing to unwind. If I coached the Wallabies, I can assure you they'd be playing 1000 times worse, but a decent coach would change it in a heartbeat. So I can not fathom the comment on any level, apart from being unfairly and unreasonably negative.
Marley
Guest
An odd comment to make Renee Matey as I don't believe I have ever seen you on the Roar before yet oddly you appear here and make claims against another poster......
Wii
Guest
Interesting as I have never seen you around here before yet a note to the moderators a post or two removed and hello a new poster. Sorry Jiggles I am not fooled one bit
Renee Matey
Roar Rookie
Doesn't it show how much we have been starved of success against the Kiwis when we start clinging on to silly little milestones like this. I usually find Wii's posts as unnecessarily aggressive, but on this he is spot on.
Wii
Guest
Justin see above the Blues conference position is largely skewed as they have already had two byes. So lets just keep the hype in check
Wii
Guest
The issues with the other sides are perplexing to say the least, the Blues Justin have a very valid excuse for not running Hot, you can not deny they are a team seriously lacking experience. They so have heart however that will only ever get you so far.
Handles
Guest
That is very harsh. Digby has had at least one of the four passing black-holes (McCabe, AAC, Horne or A Faingaa) inside him for all of those test matches, so 3 tries represents a bumper return.
Handles
Guest
It must be like a "Serena Slam"..
AdamS
Roar Guru
Obviously because they have to play the Reds and the Brumbies twice...sheesh...
Sprigs
Guest
The Blues are good and highly motivated. Watch out for Rene Ranger, lads. Take the points when on offer.
Justin2
Guest
Only Bill counts ;)
formeropenside
Guest
who cares about the rest of Oz, the Reds are presently doing OK, and thats all that really matters