The Queensland Reds will head to Christchurch confident of conquering the Crusaders to complete an unprecedented sweep of New Zealand opposition and keep their Super Rugby championship hopes alive.
Like Australian conference winners the Brumbies, Queensland must win three sudden-death finals games in a row to snatch the title and Reds coach Ewen McKenzie acknowledged the “significant challenge” of beating the Crusaders on their home patch.
But the Reds are not only drawing hope from three wins from their past four starts against the seven-time champions, but also the fact they have already accounted for the title-holding Chiefs as well as the Blues, Hurricanes and Highlanders in 2013.
Toppling all five New Zealand franchises in a single season would be a Super Rugby first.
“You’ve got to back yourself, especially at this time of the year,” said Reds stand-in captain James Slipper after deputising for the injured James Horwill in Saturday night’s 14-12 final round derby win over the NSW Waratahs.
“Every time we do go over there, it’s always a tough game but our record speaks for itself.”
McKenzie admitted the Reds were less than impressive in their mistake-riddled win over the Waratahs and that the Crusaders had found their best form at the right time of the season.
“But it’s better to go into the finals with a win than a loss. That momentum is good,” he said.
“We’ve played the Crusaders so often in the past few years so they’re pretty familiar to us.
“We’ve probably had as good a record as anyone against them in recent times, but they’re pretty hard to beat there at home.
“But we’ve been able to find a way in the past, so we’ll go there with some confidence.
“We’ve got enough tools there to win the game if we get it right.”
The Reds will be bolstered by the return of Horwill and halfback general Will Genia on Saturday night, but without winger Rod Davies, who suffered a serious knee injury against the Waratahs.
The Crusaders could have All Blacks captain Richie McCaw back after the classy flanker made his return from his seven-month sabbatical in club rugby at the weekend, but McKenzie was unfazed.
“There’s a bunch of guys there that have been plugging away and doing the work and who got them to where they are on the ladder, so I’m not sure they need to rush anything there,” McKenzie said.
“But maybe he might appear as an impact player. I’m not sure. If he’s there, he’s there.”
The Brumbies will host South Africa’s Cheetahs in Canberra on Sunday afternoon after blowing a big opportunity to gain a vital edge in the playoffs.
The Brumbies qualified for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2004, but their 21-15 last-round slip-up against the lowly Western Force in Perth on Saturday night was costly.
Had they scored a bonus-point win over the 13th-placed Force, the Brumbies would have clinched an all-important top-two spot, enjoyed next weekend off and remained well-positioned for a home final.
Instead, they finished third behind the Chiefs and Bulls and face an uphill battle to even make the August 3 final.
Ten of the past 12 Super Rugby titles have been won by the minor premiers, meaning history favours the Chiefs to go back-to-back.
The Chiefs and Bulls get a fortnight’s break before hosting the semi-finals in Hamilton and Pretoria respectively.
If the Brumbies beat the Cheetahs, they will take on the Bulls while the Reds will meet the Chiefs if they down the Crusaders.
abc
Guest
The scoreline would have been much higher for the Reds if some other Ref instead of Bryce lawrence had reffed that match...he did all he could to win crusaders the match but reds were just too good...
Quicksilver
Guest
OJ I'm not too interested in recent times. In the now I believe the Crusaders are a more complete unit with a lot to prove. A lot of so-called pundits wrote them off early in the season but they look to me to be doing everything pretty well. The Reds look to me to have lost their way and not even Jesus McKenzie can save them.
WEST
Roar Guru
The Crusaders haven't lost at AMI stadium this year. Reds wont really know what to expect deep in the south. Crusaders have won last 4 games where Reds have only had one game since 1st of June, maybe an advantage. Real Advantage will be the home ground and selling tickets as cheap as 21 bucks id expect a sell out crowd looking for vengeance. Link can plan all he wants its not Hansen show, even if he thinks he does, it all comes back to his men and there ability to out perform there opposites.
dc-nz
Guest
Link will have more time after this weekend to come up with a game plan to win back the Bled.
Ohtanis Jackets
Roar Rookie
Yeah, credit where credit's due. Reds have had the better of the Crusaders in recent times. I don't think McCaw will have a major impact as he is underdone at this stage, understandably.
strap
Guest
Always good when Aussie sides talk themselves up and show a bit of bravado before the game. It usually turns out well for them. (snigger)
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
Better the Reds playing the Chiefs or Crusaders. They probably wouldn't be able to get up for the match in the same way against the Brumbies and no way would I back them at Loftus. In saying that I think the Crusaders are playing the best footy atm and would win against any team if on par with form and tactics
Quicksilver
Guest
OJ is that really you ? Go and have a lie down my friend because all will be well by the end of the weekend.
atlas
Guest
no it was Bryce Lawrence. Stuart Dickinson was Asst ref in one of the 2011 playoffs Blues v Waratahs Even has a thread here http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/06/23/oh-no-local-referees-for-the-super-rugby-finals/ 'The grand final will be refereed by Bryce Lawrence'. and also 22 June 2011 It has also been confirmed that Lawrence will referee the Super Rugby Final after the selectors determined that he had been the best performing referee throughout the competition. http://www.superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=30902
Ohtanis Jackets
Roar Rookie
I remember the sheer grace offered by one Richard Hugh McCaw when asked about that penalty. Upon being goaded in the question by the interviewer about how he felt about giving away that penalty, the man simply and calmly stated "it was a bit silly wasn't it". Big chops for being the bigger man in every possible way.
Ohtanis Jackets
Roar Rookie
Reds to cause an upset.
Jerry
Guest
So the Crusaders didn't really fire, failed to score a try and still won. Yeah, I think that's 'hard to beat'.
The Other Steve
Guest
I think it was Stu Dickenson who ref'ed the Reds-Crusaders final. I remember his look of anguish when he penalised Sir Richie (wrongly) with about two minutes to go. I don't thinik Stu Dickenson ever ref'd Super 15 again.
RebelRanger
Guest
So if the Crusaders win, the Reds lose their record? I'm confident the boys in Red and Black can do it for NZ lol
atlas
Guest
I don't see your point, you say 'hard to beat in Christchurch' and they were hard to beat, the reds couldn't do it, Crusaders winning 15-11 One point is good enough for a win As for Bryce Lawrence - are you suggesting he was a cheat in that match? He also reffed the 2011 reds v Crusaders final without complaint that I can remember.
chuckie
Guest
+1
Kuruki
Roar Guru
So much for the Hype about the Reds being confident. They haven't won in Christchurch for 14 years. Cocky is a better word.
Comrade Bear
Roar Rookie
Glad they're feeling confident - I'm sure not! Hope it is a good game and Go the Reds!
abc
Guest
eh...what was the score in Christchurch last year?...15-11...with Crusaders failing to score a try...and the ref was Bryce Kiwi Lawrence....so much for all the Hype that crusaders are hard to beat in Christchurch..
Hoy
Roar Guru
The break has been more problematic for the Australian sides than everyone else, because they have been back for a few weeks now. Our teams are just getting back together again, and it will take time to get into sync again. This is an issue. Reds will probably go out this week, and probably Brumbies next week I imagine... Might give Link time to get the Wallaby squad together a bit earlier.