The final round of Super Rugby 2013 is upon us, with the traditional grudge match between NSW v Queensland largely ruined by injury and likely being a dead rubber game for both sides, with the Reds in the finals regardless, and the Tahs not.
NSW must be hot favourites to win, with home advantage, a coach determined to set NSW right again, and at least six 2013 starting Wallabies in their side: Benn Robbo, Kane Douglas, Michael Hooper, Wycliff Palu, Berrick Barnes and Adam Ashley-Cooper.
The Reds have, well, none. Zero starting Wallabies in the Reds team, with Digby Ioane, Will Genia and James Horwill all out injured – or, being saved for the finals round next week – probably against the wily Crusaders. AMI Stadium in Christchurch was also the the last place the Reds failed to win a match in New Zealand.
When you consider the NSW team, add in Sitaleki Timani, who would have been running on for the Wallabies if available, and soon to be Wallabies Will Skelton and Bernard Foley, 2012 end-of-year-tour Wallaby pine-rider Brendan McKibbon, and it’s seemingly a foregone conclusion that the Tahs just have to show up to win.
The Reds are crippled by the loss of their first and second choice captains, and will have to dangerously rely on the skills of a number 10, who is not counted in the best 35 players in Australia.
Throw in the disruption at Reds HQ due to Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie soon departing from his position Director of Coaching, and it will be a small miracle if the Reds can even run onto the paddock without suffering psychological injury due to the vast, hostile, baying Sydney crowd.
Given all this, how can this small band of Queenslanders hope to win, up against the mighty NSW scrum and the tall timber in the lineout?
On paper, it can’t even be close, for all that, NSW have slightly misplaced their pre-season favouritism to take out the title.
Of course, some of this in tongue and cheek. And, with Steve Walsh as referee, anything can happen.
jutsie
Guest
is CFS injured?
carnivean
Roar Rookie
I think the day that FOS wants the Reds to lose to a side from NSW is the day that pigs fly.
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
Horwill and Genia to miss the game. Reds are going to tank this
The Bush
Roar Guru
Yeah I liked the look of Owens against the Lions, think he should get a lot more time. Harris at fullback doesn't really bother me, I'd actually prefer that to any of the playmaking roles and I really like Taps at 12 and want him to bloody stay there for a while. Morahan over Ships when Morahan is leaving? Interesting call...
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Should be a great game. Can't wait for Saturday :)
formeropenside
Guest
Reds: 1. Greg Holmes 2. Saia Faingaa 3. James Slipper (c) 4. Ed O’Donoghue 5. Rob Simmons 6. Eddie Quirk 7. Liam Gill 8. Jake Schatz 9. Nick Frisby 10. Quade Cooper (vc) 11. Luke Morahan 12. Mike Harris 13. Ben Tapuai 14. Rod Davies 15. Ben Lucas 16. Albert Anae 17. Jono Owen 18. Radike Samo 19. Jarrad Butler 20. Beau Robinson 21. Anthony Faingaa 22. Dom Shipperley
formeropenside
Guest
Hanson is out, so I guess Anae will be the backup hooker with Daley or Jono Owen the backup prop (prob Owen as Anae can also cover LHP). Ed O'D rather than AWH - AWH has not been as good thi year, and he is a lineout specialist like Simmons (although he did not run it well against the Lions). Apparently Harris is starting fullback, so Ships is probably on the bench. Its pretty close to the half-strength team that played the Lions plus Slipper, Simmons and Gill.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Has the line up been named? I would go with this: 1. Holmes 2. Hanson 3. Slipper 4. Simmons 5. Wallace-Harrison 6. Quirck 7. Gill 8. Schatz 9. Frisby 10. Cooper 11. Davies 12. Tapuai 13. A. Fainga'a 14. Shipperly 15. Morahan 16. S. Fainga'a 17. Owens 18. Samo 19. Robinson 20. Lucas 21. Harris 22. Feauuai-Sautia That'll beat the NSWelsmen... Who still don't have TPN, Timani coming back from injury, is Palu fit? What about Barnes?
Roland Chan
Roar Rookie
I can. He did it against the Lions in Sydney.
Pete
Guest
Every point offered will be taken this sat. Especially with laser Mike Harris in the team! Definite five pointer for the reds and when the hurricanes get up against the struggling crusaders, home final!!! Oh wait let me remove these glasses and have another look.... Should be a cracker of a game sat!!
formeropenside
Guest
The editors apparently added in the tongue in cheek bit! I dont recall that being in the draft submitted. Interestingly, it apparently looks like 7 starting Wallabies in the Tahs lineup with Folau apparently fit - although that may be just the NSWRU trying to drive up crowd numbers.
Kippa
Guest
I would rather the reds play act. 1 loss 1 draw and with the draw did not take penalty kicks. Can't see Kev knocking back easy 3's in knockout games.
Scary cat. :)
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
I hope Queensland loses too. Would definitely rather face the Reds than the Cheetahs in the finals. ;)
niwdeyaj
Guest
Reds did alright against the Lions without Genia or Horwill, better than the Tah's did even with the help of their Wallaby reps as I recall? Should be a good training run to prepare for the finals...
So I take it you want the reds to lose so they can play the Brumbies rather than travel to Cristchurch to face the Crusaders? ;)