There’s no more excuses for the Reds as they aim to revive their ailing Super Rugby campaign against a weakened Blues outfit in Auckland on Friday.
The Queenslanders sit 13th after their 35-21 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington last weekend, their third defeat on the bounce.
While not out of finals contention, time is running out for the Reds to show they have the ability to turn things around and make a late charge.
Coach Richard Graham has made several changes for the match, mostly aimed at stiffening a porous defence and competing with the Blues’ All Black front-row.
Veteran prop Greg Holmes will come into tight-head with James Slipper moving across to loose-head.
Wallabies flanker Liam Gill is also a welcome return from hamstring injury while Anthony Fainga’a replaces Ben Lucas in the starting XV.
Flyer Rod Davies is the other change, replacing rookie Jamie-Jerry Taulagi on the left wing.
Reds skipper James Horwill says the team is only too aware of their situation.
“We understand that we’re not where we want to be,” he said.
“Last week we let ourselves down with some critical errors and that’s not enough at this stage of the season.
“It’s a very close comp. We need to start winning and there’s no better time to do that than this weekend.”
While Blues coach Sir John Kirwan was trying to deflect pressure onto the Reds, the Aucklanders are also in danger of losing touch with the finals race if they can’t pick up a win.
In their favour they have won all four of their home fixtures so far this season but centre Francis Saili was ruled out after limping off with an ankle injury during training on Wednesday.
He’ll be replaced by Jackson Willison while Brendon O’Connor has been given the job of replacing injured skipper Luke Braid.
Kirwan has also made alterations to his forward pack with Jerome Kaino coming in at No.8 while Peter Saili moves to the No.6 jersey.
Friday’s match, which will be Quade Cooper’s 100th appearance for the Reds, begins at 7.35pm local time (1735AEST).
Tony H
Guest
Kaino and Saili being switched is from left field. I imagine Kaino will be looking forward to doing to cooper what he did to Beale last week at least I am hoping so. I wonder if the plan with Luatua is to bring him on with 25 - 30 minutes to go when the Reds will be tiring and let him play an expansive game to help him play himself into better form. Personally I would have had him starting but then I have not been a big fan of P Saili.
jameswm
Roar Guru
This team looks better, though I'd like to see Taps and CFS moved in one spot. I do have time for Ant Finger though.
leftfield
Roar Pro
Why indeed, only Kirwan knows really.
44bottles
Guest
Article said Saili got ruled out for Willison.
ben
Guest
Why change kaino and saili who are genuine 6 and 8 respectively?
Magic Sponge
Guest
Another whitewash coming up. Ive gone 13 plus blues for QC magical 100th
Chan Wee
Guest
Blues: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Francis Saili, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Lolagi Visinia, 10 Simon Hickey, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Brendon O'Connor, 6 Peter Saili, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tony Woodcock. Replacements: 16 James Parsons, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Hayden Triggs, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Steven Luatua, 22 Ihaia West, 23 George Moala. Reds: 15 Mike Harris, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Anthony Fainga'a, 11 Rod Davies, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Eddie Quirk, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 James Slipper. Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Jono Owen, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Ben Lucas, 23 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.