Queensland are backing inspirational captain James Slipper to lead Super Rugby’s winless battlers to a boilover in their Australian conference clash with NSW in Brisbane.
Caretaker coach Nick Stiles is delighted to welcome back Slipper and flanker Liam Gill as the Reds seek to break a five-match losing streak against the Waratahs.
Slipper will start on the bench on Sunday in his return from a shoulder reconstruction and knee clean-out in November, but Stiles believes the second-half introduction of the fired-up Wallabies prop could well prove the difference at Suncorp Stadium.
“His ability to really pull the troops together and just provide a calm head will be really important for us,” the stand-in co-coach said on Friday.
“Slips has really grown as a leader over the last couple of years, and it’s a role he’s relishing now.
“He’s been very vocal this week. He’s been talking up the importance of this game, the rivalry with NSW, and demanding the sort of physicality from us that will go towards winning the game.”
Gill, on the comeback from a back injury, has been named to start at openside flanker in what’s likely to be his last head-to-head duel with Waratahs captain Michael Hooper before heading to France at the end of the season.
Grudge matches between NSW and Queensland are usually torrid affairs, but the Reds are bracing themselves for a fast-paced encounter following Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson’s decision to drop bruising forwards Wycliff Palu and Will Skelton.
“Very interesting the changes they’ve made,” Stiles said.
“The Tahs’ success under (former coach) Michael Cheika was built around brute force, and to be removing Will Skelton is a massive change to make.
“The players they’ve brought in, to start Jed Holloway and Jack Dempsey coming in, shows they’re probably going to play a more upbeat, mobile forward pack than what they’ve traditionally played over the last few years.”
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
Fair point. Ready has been outstanding since Round 3
Squirrel
Guest
Slipper and gill are yesterday's heroes, off to France
Boz the Younger
Guest
Goal kicking and tactical kicking, I think the Reds will play a territory based game so accurate kicks from the hand are a must. Hunt will be good backup to McIntyre in the kicking stakes. If they can isolate Folau deep on the right wing, he will muff his return kick for touch as usual and kick it out on the full. Foley is vulnerable under the high ball too, he is too short to win the contest.
Boz the Younger
Guest
You haven't been watching Andrew Ready at the breakdown then?
Mattty
Guest
-- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Mattty
Guest
'Bruising forwards...' Hahahaha -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
grapeseed
Guest
I see a Red Dawn rising. I see trouble on the way.
Pete McAloney
Roar Pro
I fear there is truth in that statement. We have lost our winning ways.
Adsa
Guest
The tars boys are very beatable, the problem is that the Reds do not know how to win.
john
Roar Rookie
Jonny Boy if you are a Tah fan then believe you will be disappointed It will be a close torrid affair with Reds forwards improved with return of Slipper and Gill.The result will depend on McIntyre goal kicking from the many scrum penalties which will go the way of the Reds and then on how Reds backline goes.If Reds backs perform shut the gate if not it will be close
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
Good selections from the Waratahs If Gill can be handled they could run riot at the breakdown given the lack of support at 6 & 8 Graham's gone, Carmichael's going, McCall's going....now Tony Shaw and Jake Schatz have to follow suit