Luck has completely deserted the Queensland Reds this season but captain James Slipper senses their fortunes may have finally turned.
Plagued by injuries and suspensions since the start of the year, fate was on Queensland’s side for once in Sunday morning’s nail-biting win over the Cheetahs in South Africa.
A missed penalty in the dying seconds from Joe Pietersen allowed the Reds to escape the match with a 18-17 victory, just their second in what has been a forgettable Super Rugby campaign.
Their next assignment is a daunting one – the top-of-the-table Hurricanes at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
A few weeks ago the mere thought of that prospect would have shaken the Reds to the core but the weekend’s events have emboldened Slipper with new-found confidence and optimism.
“The way we ended the tour with a win was something that we needed and I think the boys are pretty excited to play in front of our fans,” he said.
“In the past, especially this year, we went into hiding when we had a good lead.
“For us on the weekend we played the full 80 minutes and with that miskick at the end, I think the rugby gods were looking down on us finally and really helped us get over the line.”
If the Reds need any additional motivation against the Hurricanes it will be all around them.
The Queensland Rugby Union is pulling out all the stops for this weekend’s ANZAC Round, teaming up with the Australian Defence Force to commemorate the occasion.
The Reds will wear specially-designed jerseys featuring the ADF’s Rising Sun emblem, which will be auctioned following the game to raise money for the Mates4Mates charity.
There will also be a pre-match march through Caxton Street on Sunday afternoon as well as traditional military displays inside and outside Suncorp Stadium.
“It’s a good way to represent the jersey and have the 100 years of ANZAC history imprinted on the jersey,” said Slipper, whose great-grandfather Daniel Archibald McIntyre from Townsville served in Europe during the First World War.
“Especially playing on Sunday against a New Zealand team, the Hurricanes.
“Knowing these jerseys will help raise money for real heroes in our community just makes it all the more memorable.”
LikesRugby
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RobC
Roar Guru
Not sure Peter, If Tahs or Brumbies had the same type of early season injuries / unavailable players, they would be missing: - Kepu and Skelton and Foley and Beale and Folau. At the same time - Toomua and Kurdrani and Carter and Butler and BA But it doesnt detract from your other points, though. Except the game plan. I think there is one, just poorly executed.
RobC
Roar Guru
haha. What a bunch of spoilt brats. Just because their season has been spoilt.
RobC
Roar Guru
good one david. I would say Reds scrum ahead of others, but behind Tahs.
Grahame
Guest
One thing is for sure. There is an inverse correlation between the Reds ranking performance and the amount of pre-game bleeping and tweeting by Reds players (eg Slipper, Horwill, O'Connor, Cooper).
david
Guest
The Reds can win the game...if 1: They do not kick to the Hurricanes back 3. This will end in disaster, think Crusaders game at Suncorp last year. If Frisby, Genia and co kick back without thought, skill or execution the Hurricanes will enjoy lovely Sunday afternoon football. Frisby cannot be allowed to simply hoist up&unders all afternoon. 2: They kick to find touch. For 2 reasons: a) The Reds lineout with Simmons, Horwill and Korczyk are very competitive and I believe better than the Hurricanes, and the Reds must press home any area of supremacy in order to win this match. b) While the Reds have enjoyed large periods of possession against the Bulls and Cheetahs their penetration was lacking and at times will need to kick to find space but find touch more importantly. Hunt showed he could do this from time to time but must be accurate. 3: The Scrum: The Qld scrum is currently the strongest in Australia and would be close to strongest across the competition. I don't mean to show bias but with Holmes, Slipper, Horwill and Simmons they were dominant against the Lions, Rebels, Bulls and Cheetahs and once again must reinforce this against Wellington. 4: O'Connor makes his kicks. Points adds pressure and Qld can't leave any out on the field if they want to win. 5: Genia. He has shown glimpses across this season that his running game can still be dominant. What he needs are options. It is easy to forget that in 2011 Genia had QC outside him, a forward running option and an inside option in Digby. Now a defensive line faced with 3 possibilities will tend to sit back and wait a bit more which gave Genia time to assess options and run when required. It is easy to see currently when he runs it immediately puts the defence in 2 minds BUT he needs options. He needs JOC / Hunt and those big bloody wingers to be probing around the rucks and give him choices otherwise it all stagnates and goes to sh%t. In saying all of this I still think Wellington will be too strong BUT Qld need to play well and have a close result regardless for a multitude of well-intentioned reasons.
RobC
Roar Guru
kicks to the stands, pjm Lineout fest. They had the same plan vs Landers.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Reds kicking to Hurricanes back 3, haha this going to be good.
Peter Hughes
Guest
Luck has not deserted the Reds imo. Their injury list is not unusual for a Super Team. Unexpected win against the cheetahs - well done. But their spot on the table is due 100% imo to - poor coaching; - lack of a game plan - poor execution by players - lack of desire to win - poor recruitment policies
Dan
Guest
Thought the waratahs wanted it more on the weekend and ran into a rusty hurricanes coming off a bye. Id expect the canes to be a lot more patient with the ball this time round but if its a fine arvo in brissy which is forecast they will enjoy the sun.
Harry Jones
Expert
Excellent technical analysis. -Detailed -True -Important -Interesting The Reds and the Blues will, I think, spoil someone else's season.
Shop
Roar Guru
Where does he say they can "withstand the Canes"? More headline journalism.
RobC
Roar Guru
Expect a kicking game
RobC
Roar Guru
JOC was good Harry. But a key part of his success is having Samu K on his flank to hold off defenders: - It takes 3 guys to bring Samu down. - Its no coincidence JOC breaks and assists had Samu on his flank. - Also no coincidence Samu runs straight into the midfield defenders early - He wants them to learn to feel and expect the Samu 'love' - This creates the backpeddle in D later K uses Beast Mode (CFS) as his foil. If not, then they use one of the tight four (not really Simmons, yet) to drive through the adline and quickly cycle. Its a neat system, but only if the Reds can generate quick cycle, esp off set piece. They will be met with much sterner D from the Canes. Should be interesting to see if the Reds can make any progress, just as they did vs the Rebs. Im not betting on it. But I can only wish for it
RobC
Roar Guru
3 to 1. Same odds as Cheetahs / Reds
oupa
Roar Rookie
Yes, the Reds could possibly withstand the Canes, just as it is theoretically possible for Romania to win the rugby world cup.....
Rugby Tragic
Guest
I think the Hurricanes will arrive at Suncorp 'quite upset' with their loss last weekend ... I expect they will come out firing wanting to avoid back to back loses. The Reds even with home ground advantage will have the task of holding out the 'Canes backs and that might be a difficult assignment if the Reds forwards don't step up. While a lot of attention is focused on the backs, I will be very interested to see how the battle between Liam Gill and Ardie Savea turns out. On one hand there is the ex Aussie U20 Captain, who I actually thought would one day captain the Wallabies verses 'the apprentice' of the AB's loosies. Who will win that one?
Harry Jones
Expert
Perfect plot line for JOC to use in his Renaissance
Mick
Guest
Next he will be calling for the whole Queensland pack to be in the Walabbies run on squad. Please, a scratchy win over a scratchy side does not a 'reversal of fortune' make. They are still on track for the wooden spoon.
pjm
Roar Rookie
I'd bet on the Reds, if they're given +50.