James Horwill and Will Genia don’t want their Suncorp Stadium farewell on Saturday night to be all about them.
Queensland Reds captain James Slipper doesn’t care.
“They don’t like to be put up on a pedestal,” Slipper said ahead of Queensland’s Super Rugby clash with the Chiefs, the last in Brisbane for Europe-bound Horwill and Genia.
“In my opinion, they should be.
“They’re club legends, both played over 100 games for the state.
“They deserve whatever they get and hopefully we can get a win for them.”
It is the least the Reds could do for two of the franchise’s all-time greats, who will depart for fresh new adventures at the end of what has been Queensland’s annus horribilis.
While there hasn’t been much focus on the emotional side of Saturday’s match in the backrooms of Ballymore this week – a “player-driven” decision, according to Slipper – there will be no escaping it.
Particularly for Slipper, who has modelled his on-field style and his off-field approach on Horwill, his predecessor as Reds captain.
“He’s pretty much played in every game in my career,” Slipper said.
“He’s been a great help for me. I’ve really looked up to him as a player and as a friend.
“It’s going to be tough seeing him leave but that’s the industry we’re in, everyone’s got to move on at some point.
“Five years down the track I’ll be looking at the same prospect.
“I think the legacy he’s left behind will be forever remembered.”
The Chiefs loom as Queensland’s biggest scalp this season if the unchanged side from last week’s watershed win over the Western Force can back that performance up.
Quade Cooper was at the centre of it all in his first game back from a fractured shoulderblade but he will only be allowed the same sort of influence against the Chiefs if his forwards can lay the playform.
The two-time Super Rugby champions are still without the injured Sonny Bill Williams but have recalled All Blacks forwards Brodie Retallick and Liam Messam.
“They’re a team full of All Blacks and they’re a very professional outfit, very tough for us to beat,” Slipper said.
“But in saying that, we’ve had a really good week of training, we’re starting to build consistency in team selection, which has come at the wrong end of the year.
“If you have that consistency … I feel like you can build momentum and you’re seeing that now.”
Taylorman
Guest
21 Peter, not too bad a stab in the end. Reds first twenty felt like the Blues entire first half of the season...
ben
Guest
Not so funny now the morning after?
rugby time
Guest
great performance by cooper , joc,genia,horwill the way these guys use their x factor and past performances(very past) to show the class and talent of players past their use by date. money well spent. look forward to the wallabies picking these top performing players to represent australian rugby
Not Bothered
Guest
Nek minnut. 24-3 thrashing.
Not Bothered
Guest
24 divided by 8 = 3. Im guessing there wont be a whole bunch of articles and posts about Genia and Cooper unlocking defences after a tryless effort against the Chiefs in which they dominated posession for large parts of the game. I wont say that its not a debate about who the halves should be but those that state that the Reds halves "must" or "obviously should" start are clearly being ridiculous.
twocreeks
Guest
Not far wrong peter. Taylor and Woody are sure to get back to you to explain that a 21 point differential is nowhere near 30 points. Nowhere near.
Winnie
Guest
Started with a hiss an a roar and petered out to be all wind. For a team stacked full of past and present Wallabies I am embarrassed for the Reds. The Chiefs have been awful in the set pieces and barely touched the ball in the first 20 minutes yet they still schooled Queensland.
Jerry
Guest
I reckon the Canes will want to go into the finals with momentum. They all get a week off regardless. Though Ma'a might have to take the week off, he was supposed to get his mandated rest last night but was required to suit up due to injury.
atlas
Guest
Not quite the 'team full of All Blacks' the article suggests. Here's the teams Chiefs: Tom Marshall, Bryce Heem, Charlie Ngatai, Andrew Horrell, Tim Nanai-Williams, Marty McKenzie, Augustine Pulu, Michael Leitch, Sam Cane, Liam Messam (captain), Brodie Retallick, Michael FitzGerald, Siate Tokolahi, Hika Elliot, Mitchell Graham. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Pauliasi Manu, Jarrod Firth, Matt Symons, Maama Vaipulu, Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown. Reds: James O'Connor, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Karmichael Hunt, Samu Kerevi, Lachie Turner, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Adam Thomson, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Greg Holmes, James Hanson, James Slipper (captain). Reserves: Saia Fainga'a, Pettowa Paraka, Sam Talakai, Ed O'Donoghue, Beau Robinson, Hendrik Tui, Nick Frisby, Ben Tapuai, Jake McIntyre (one to be omitted).
atlas
Guest
Interesting what happens next week, i will be in New Plymouth for the Chiefs Hurricanes match on 13th . Will Hurricanes give some players an extra week off, or go out full strength for what is, in terms of points and their position on the table , a pointless match? I was hoping for a wild throw it about, as per last night, but if Chiefs 'must win' and less importance for Hurricanes, who knows? When Chiefs have played badly this season, it really has been bad. I've gone Reds 1-12 in a work tipping comp, but on my past 'expert' performances i'll be well off the right result
Jerry
Guest
The Chiefs are in real danger of missing out on the playoffs. I wouldn't count on them winning either of the next two and bonus points may not be enough.
atlas
Guest
History would suggest you're right. From rugby heaven The Chiefs have not beaten the Reds since 2009, losing their last four encounters, although they did not meet last season. In 18 matches between them since Super Rugby started, the Chiefs have only won eight and just three in Brisbane. Since the start of the 15-team Super Rugby conference system in 2011 the Chiefs have won just twice in Australia and lost eight times
James
Guest
Agreed it is a strong looking lineup for the Reds, plenty of Wallaby representatives present and past. I feel that the Chiefs are off the pace at the moment and will struggle tonight.
Woodsman
Guest
Thanks for the laugh, Peter.
Roberts
Guest
Chiefs will struggle, they don't travel to Suncorp very well and have a few injuries while the Reds will put their best team on the park with a strong reserves bench. Will be entertaining and the 30,000 fans will see the Reds home. Will be an emotional game, I still have memories of Horwill lifting the trophy in 2011!!
Taylorman
Guest
30? In Brisbane? Whew can't see it myself...
Peter Hughes
Guest
My prediction - Chiefs by 30 points. Cooper to be the Reds best player again. Horwill wil be ineffective like he has in every game all season. Genia might go ok if he's got his mind switched on for a change & stops kicking.
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks for sharing this, Vince. Time certainly passes, Slip is already 25 years old. In fact its his BIRTHDAY TODAY. Happy birthday! A win would be good way to celebrate.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Thanks fellas.