The Queensland Reds host the Hurricanes on what will hopefully be a sunny Sunday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Join The Roar for live scores from 4pm AEST.
The Reds have been in atrocious form recently, until they finally got a win against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last week.
They had something close to their full backline last week, with the key exception being Nick Frisby still playing flyhalf in the absence of the injured Quade Cooper.
They did enough to get the win over the Cheetahs last weekend, but only just, with the South African side’s Joe Pietersen failing in a penalty goal attempt that would have stolen the game.
This week, they are missing Karmichael Hunt, who is out with a hip injury. This will test their depth, though Lachie Turner is an experienced head to come in at fullback.
The Hurricanes lost last week to the Waratahs, in a move that not many tipsters saw coming, particularly not at home.
Considering the Reds’ poor track record against the ‘Canes, having lost 12 of the 18 matches played between the two sides, and the fact the Hurricanes would be stinging from a loss to Australian opposition, you’d expect them to bounce back strongly here.
If the Reds were to win this game, you would think it would take a few more incidents like the one that happened to Ardie Savea last weekend, when he dropped the ball over the line with daylight in front an behind him.
The Hurricanes will again relish playing the daytime conditions, as they did last week.
Look for players like Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea and Cory Jane to make a mess of the Reds.
Join The Roar from 4pm AEST on Sunday afternoon for live scores of the match, and please feel free to kickstart the conversation in the comments section below.
Comrade Bear
Roar Rookie
Yep - he stood out immediately.
Joe
Guest
Needs to touch up on his defense. Looking good going forward only!
James
Guest
Reds had a Wallaby front 5, Thomson and Gill. Not a bad forward pack.
Harry
Guest
The front 5 of the Reds scrum are all Wallabies so they should have a reasonable scrum.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Turner was a coward.
Jerry
Guest
The Canes defence is so terrible that they've conceded the 2nd least points of any team in the comp.
RobC
Roar Guru
Yes #20 Still only 19yo
pjm
Roar Rookie
Frisby was only too happy to go into scrum half when Genia was indisposed.
ethan
Guest
I agree that on form, he is no shoe-in. However he had a few excellent touches in a losing, poorly coached team. So definitely still in the frame. He has changed his goal kicking action also, which doesn't seem to be bringing him results as good as he used to get. That little drawcard of his might not be so appealing to WB selectors as it once was.
Mike
Guest
Or giving them a well-deserved retirement fund. Given the blood and sweat they pour out on the field for our entertainment (not to mention risk of permanent injury) I don't see that as unreasonable.
Kane
Roar Guru
Can’t believe the plebs on this site. Well you're here so you had better believe it.
Comrade Bear
Roar Rookie
Was he wearing 20?
Kuruki
Roar Guru
That just shows what a joke that entire competition is. It's no wonder they have had to spend ridiculous amounts of money to lure players to lower themselves to those standards week in week out. They are effectively buying these players pride.
Happyman
Guest
Statistically both teams kicked 31 times it is just the quality and danger from the back that makes the difference we were aimless at best
Taylorman
Guest
Think you will find that the ABs gave away more possession last year than they won. Possession as a stat on its own is misleading, particularly when you have sides doing nothing but retain the ball for long periods, not taking chances or breaking defences.
Taylorman
Guest
Best team in Europe though remember...cough cough...
DelaNightmares
Guest
+1
Taylorman
Guest
I doubt think that you actually are a kiwi- not that I care- as you seem to go to lengths to insist on it. I mean who does that? And NZ sides are not overrated. They have won the thing far more times than any other. All five franchises have been in a sxv final so like the other two conferences they have no wannabes. This was an easyish away win yet you rubbish them. Between them they produce a national side that has left the other two for dead in terms of the RC. So care to share why they are over rated? Just don't see it myself.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Colostomy bags. Toulon is nothing but a retirement home for our scraps. For a team with such a ridiculous salary pool they are a joke.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
You must be one of those "John Key Kiwi's". A sellout.