It’s the final round of Super Rugby for 2017, and the Queensland Reds will look to their youth in a challenge of the highest order against a fired up Highlanders outfit in an icy-cold Dunedin. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 5:35pm AEST.
It seems a mere formality on paper, and – if you looked at the betting odds – it’s no surprise that the Dunedin-based Highlanders are extremely short favourites to win this match.
We saw last week some of the intensity and desperation that had been so lacking from the Reds season in their last gasp win over the finals bound Brumbies. Their young guns were immense that night, in particular Duncan Paia’aua and Izaiah Perese.
Clearly this has rubbed off on Nick Stiles, and the squad he has flown to Dunedin contains no fewer than ten players 21 years or younger.
When you look at the Reds side on paper, it’s a wonder they haven’t had more success this season. The likes of Quade Cooper, Karmichael Hunt, George Smith, Stephen Moore and Kane Douglas are all very good footballers in their own right; this combined with an exciting blend of youth and talent in the form of players like Campbell Magnay, Izaiah Perese, Hamish Stewart, Taniela Tupou and Reece Hewat – and you can see why rugby fans in the North are more than a little frustrated with their sides lack of success.
Still, there is plenty to play for. For the young members of the squad still finding their feet at Super Rugby level, there is almost no greater challenge than tackling the star-studded Highlanders in Dunedin. For the veterans? It’s a matter of finishing what has been a disappointing season on a positive note.
So… The Highlanders.
They sit seventh overall on the ladder with ten wins, but that is merely a reflection of the strength of the New Zealand sides, who happen to take up four of the top six spots.
Even though they are resting stars Aaron and Ben Smith for this fixture, the Highlanders’ outfit still oozes experience and talent.
Reds winger Isaiah Perese will have a tough task containing Waisake Naholo who will still be stinging at his omission from the recent All Blacks tour against the Lions, whilst Tevita Li, Richard Buckman and Lima Sopoaga form half of an extremely enigmatic backline.
Where the game will be won
I actually don’t think the Reds’ backline is too bad. If Tuttle’s delivery is sharp from the base of the ruck, and Cooper has a good game, then he has enough in his arsenal of outside backs to score some points.
Admittedly, Campbell Magnay is mismatched against Malakai Fekitoa, however he was one of the Reds best last week, and will be wanting to finish his Reds career in style before he departs overseas to Japan.
This game will be won for the Highlanders in the forwards. The Reds front row has been average at best at set piece time, and Stephen Moore looks lethargic and ready for the season to be finished.
In addition, the pace of the Highlanders back row of Squire, Jantjes and Liam Whitelock could cause serious problems for the significantly slower group of Timu, Smith and Korczyk in and around the fringes.
Prediction
It will be close at half time, but expect the Highlanders’ superior class and fitness to wear down a Reds side that will be desperate for a break after a long season. A comfortable win should be a good tune up for a finals-bound Highlanders outfit.
Highlanders by 28
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:35pm AEST.
DT
Guest
Indeed. Mike Fraser has a bit of that about him, TWAS. Funny how George Smith saw it straight away and pointed it out to the ref, who told him to go away and stoop chirping. That's the arrogance right there. Laws wise, like McCaw, not much gets past a classy no. 7 such as G Smith.
Gepetto
Guest
A smarter coaching team could select a winning squad from the Australian players available; but we have a failing coach who shows no sign of producing results.
EnoughisEnough
Guest
An honest mistake I'm sure .I mean Cooper and Rodda look kinda alike. Same as Stewart, easy to confuse the two. Its not as though some guys deliberately try to blame Cooper for errors he doesn't commit. I mean just look at the blog, other guys got assigned errors they didn't commit didn't they? Didn't they????Oh......move on, nothing to see here....
EnoughisEnough
Guest
Nah, Stu. Blokes like you are a dime a dozen on here. Pity is about the only emotion types like you elicit....
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
You talking about cooper... hahahahha good to see an ol dry b..ll like you still has a sense of humour twassie ..hahahaha
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Too old, too chewy...
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Will be getting my dozen oysters and chups for the big game this afternoon.. gotta keep it up...:)
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
You know that, oh, you don't know that so a waste of oxygen and space again..
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
bit like twassie then. QC job to go high..around the nose... . hilarious
Muzzo
Guest
Yep, too true Chook & RT, as it really showed, that our boys were so rusty. Passes that usually stick, dropped ball, made their opponents look so much better. The one that really stood out for me, in the Landers backline, was Rob Thompson, as he himself, has improved so much this season. The Man of the Match, Liam Squire, apart from a few unusual mistakes, looked the goods. Did have a bit of a laugh at the commentary team though, when they commented on Cooper moving to the wing, to mark up on Naholo, wishing him good luck with that. lol. In all truth though it still makes me wonder, what the hell Stiles is doing, with Cooper, as he still has that habit of being pinged for high tackles, which has occurred in quite a few of his games this year. But then again, his tackling, over the years, has in most cases been high. Pretty sure he never learn't those skills in Tokoroa. Then again, George Smith, is now the most penalized player in Super Rugby, for this season. I know the man is a legend, but, surely Stiles or Thorn, could help rectify his approach to these issues. Like Thorn returning to his home town area, would surely have been ribbed by his close associates there, at the after match function. Possibly, a party at Tony's house. As I said, it was a rusty performance, by the Landers, & guess what, apart from the Reds, not a Smith to be seen. All the best for both of your teams, Chook & RT. Cheers.
EnoughisEnough
Guest
Why would he waste his time Riddler, your mind is already made up isn't it? Tell me what do you get out of your obsession to hate one player?
EnoughisEnough
Guest
Yes, thats right. Cooper is so poor defensively, the Wallabies will be much better served by those defensive hard men Foley and Beale (throw in Folau for measure) won't they? Don't let your bias get in the way of your narrative will you.
Stu B
Guest
Lucky for the Reds Quade is only a powder puff or he may have done some damage with head highs and no arms tackles the guy is never going to cut the mustard,now entering rugby's old age this player has not improved his game since entering super rugby.I know I know reds supporters will throw the old crap about being a Quade hater but actually I'm just a rugby tragic and I can't believe a player with only half a game can be the pivot for a team with ambition.Really embarrassing last night.
Uncle Eric
Guest
If only he could kick straight Boosho. To me he looks like yesterday's man and will most likely be remembered for his go at McCaw.
Uncle Eric
Guest
Cooper didn't want to know about tackling Naholo early on though, basically stepped aside and allowed someone else to take over. If Cooper is anywhere near the Wallabies god help them.
Taurangaboy
Guest
I know diehards from both codes will howl in anger ... but isn't it time for Union and League to amalgamate? I mean they only split so the lower classes could make money playing footy, and to play on Sundays. That all changed years ago. The games are very similar. Aussies are struggling to get a few good rugby sides together. The time is ripe for a media mogul to create a "New Footy" comp together combining the best of both games.
Train Without A Station
Guest
Typical rubbish from you grinding your axe. "Cooper always goes high". No he doesn't. He want low on Li about 5 or 10 minutes earlier actually. Attempted to execute a perfect tackle around the thighs. Got bumped hard though so attempting to execute was as far as it goes. I find it hilarious you are so intent on defending criticisms of a player from a half of football you didn't event watch... No I don't. Because you just look for opportinities to criticise the guy. Keep grinding that axe. It's always the biggest nobodies who tend to make the harshest criticism.
riddler
Guest
also chook if i have been over the top in my tinto drowned state.. please let me know.. thanks matey..
riddler
Guest
cheers chook.. not good by any stretch.. will watch your lads in the morning.. am sure you can do better than what we put out there today.. how many wallaby caps did we have on the pitch today??? i think we both need new coaches and some new blood..
riddler
Guest
several means more than three in my book.. (two is a couple, few is 3 or more.. several is usually when you are in the dark place in any sector) where it appears nick made the mistake twice.. (haven't seen the errors so cant confirm) but i guess that hurts your narrative.. many bloggers make mistakes.. till you get on there and make the effort, be thankful that someone is at least trying..