Could Wallabies winger Digby Ioane be a major selection surprise in the centres as Queensland attempts to rework its spluttering Super Rugby attack?
A potential shock move closer to the action appears on the cards for the tackle-busting Ioane after Reds coaching boss Ewen McKenzie delayed naming his starting team for Friday night’s clash with the Sharks.
McKenzie will now unveil his side on Thursday after experimenting with combinations in the wake of the 11-11 draw with the Western Force when his side crossed just once despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession.
The Sharks are the only side Queensland haven’t beaten in four seasons under McKenzie and the Reds want to give last year’s runners-up less time to plan for any selection curve-balls.
“It’s a really important challenge and we’ll sort (the team) out by tomorrow but we’ve been playing around with a few combinations and we’ve got a few things we want to fix,” McKenzie said.
A backline reshuffle – with either Ben Tapuai, whose form has dipped in the past fortnight after starting each game this season, or Anthony Faingaa making way for Ioane in the midfield – would also allow both Chris Feauai-Sautia and Rod Davies starts out wide.
Queensland boast the second best defence in the competition by conceding 14 tries in 11 matches but their attack has reaped 21 five-pointers as they have ground out seven wins and two draws.
Ioane was a stand-out in Perth, making 17 runs and 12 tackle busts against the strong Force defence, and has some history at outside centre for the Reds back in 2009 and 2010, as well as the Wallabies in 2009.
McKenzie confirmed the expected return of Wallabies prop James Slipper at tighthead and the loss of winger Dom Shipperley (back) wouldn’t be the only alterations as he looks to shake up their play.
“We’re not happy with where we are,” he said. “We know we’ve got good players.
“The feeling is we’re doing all right and we’re sitting at the right end of the competition but can we do better?
One of the changes will not be Wallabies back-rower Radike Samo, 37, who finally seems to have succumbed to his age and has missed the squad after failing to impress in two club matches.
“It’s one thing getting out there and running around but you have to get out there and play like a Test player,” McKenzie said. “You have to earn your way back there.”
Markus
Guest
I'm wondering what happened to the creativity and skill that saw Harris explode onto the scene in 2011. I remember one try that had two chip and regathers in a row and beating a couple of tacklers too, but haven't seen any of that sort of play from him since then. A statistical anomaly, perhaps?
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Simply not good enough. Besides having a radar he doesn't have a long or short passing game, much of a kick out of hand, or the ability to bust tackles or use a step. Can tackle though.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Still a pretty decent team. What's happened to Harris? Injured or simply overlooked?
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Morahan must have done something bad not to get a shot. By Lances usually mistake free standards he hasn't had a great last few games. Dropping Taps is interesting..
formeropenside
Guest
You only need to see the improvement in the Reds play since Horwill returned (as well as Genia) to see that he puts so much into the forward pack, as well as adding some much needed ball running. With Samo's body finally giving up on him, and Higgy ARU'd off to the Rebels, that took a lot of running out of the Reds pack.
Red Kev
Guest
Horwill out for that head knock is a big loss. Glad they have put CFS at 13 because the Sharks have put JP at 13 and he'd cause all sorts of defensive misread issues for Ioane.
Jutsie
Guest
Well that is what they have done http://www.redsrugby.com.au/News/NewsArticles/tabid/581/ArticleID/9096/Default.aspx horwill out as well but they have stuck with lance at 15.
carnivean
Roar Rookie
F-Sautia is a centre who got put on the wing. Playing Digby at 13 and F-S on the wing beggars belief. Particularly as Digby can't pass and can't set up another player. You can see this clearly when he makes a break.
Red Kev
Guest
+1
DB
Guest
I would have thought dropping Taps - who is out of form - and moving Ant in one position to his real position and installing the beast F-sautia at 13 would have been the best option!!
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Sick f#%kers if true.
Red Kev
Guest
Do you think he and Sam Lane have some sort of competition going?
Jiggles
Roar Guru
McDuling has had 2 knee reconstructions in 2 years on both legs. Big call him making it back I think.
Red Kev
Guest
You're right sorry, I was thinking of McDuling - got my young man mountains mixed up. Browning, Gill, Schatz, Quirk, Butler is a hell of a young back row, Beau Robinson would be the old man of the bunch (I am assuming McDuling will be a lock).
Markus
Guest
He's strong tackling one-on-one where someone runs directly at him, but his defensive reading and positional play are poor, and with the 13 tending to be the one who co-ordinates the backline defense, he could make the whole backline defense a liability. The move to the centres could have been a good long-term project for him 5 years ago, but with him leaving at the end of season it seems pointless grooming him there now. The more logical inclusion there would be CFS, and either drop Faingaa or drop Taps and move Faingaa into 12.
formeropenside
Guest
Browning is off at U20's isn't he, and only in the squad replacing the injured McDuling. But yes, it would be nice to have the Queensland products MMM and Higgy adding to the backrow stocks.
Red Kev
Guest
No wonder the Reds backrowers are looking flat - they are carrying Samo (who is retiring at the end of the year) and Browning who is out for the year in the squad.
JIM
Guest
Ioane at 13 will be a big winner. He runs great lines, bends defence every time he runs and can tackle. In my mind he was always been a 13 plaing out of position. Ideally you need a winger who is better under the high ball and can kick - neither are Digby's strengths. But give him the ball and make him run to the line and he will bend the defence every time. What's more, he is strong going to ground so generally does a great job of setting up the ball for the next play. Samo has done a great job lasting as long as he has. Fingers crossed the Reds give him a great sendoff by winning the title again this year.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I agree about Samo I watched him play a couple of weeks ago and he looked like old Petro from the Broncos. He had a couple of runs and then had a rest for a lengthy period during the game. He will still be very capable of playing at top club level for another couple of years but sadly I think father time has caught up in the Suoer rugby area I do congratulate him on a stellar career. I would be fearful of Ioane playing at centre, he is not a prolific passer of the ball and has hands like cement. Big gamble I think.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Lateral thinking, there should be more of it.