Super Rugby is back for the push to the finals after the June international window, but it’s a virtual dead rubber when the Blues host the Reds in Auckland. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:35pm (AEST).
Neither of these sides have had much fun this season, but with a couple of weeks off the park for the June international window, they will be aiming to get back to their best and close the season strongly.
Contracts and jobs are more than likely on the line ahead of the 2019 season and the Reds in particular need to impress after starting the season well enough.
The Brisbane-based outfit won three of their first four games, but have since come stumbling from a great height since, losing eight of their last nine games.
It’s been painful to watch for their fans and conceding 52 points in their last match before the international break against the Waratahs won’t go to help matters for the struggling club.
The Blues haven’t been much better, but they never got the hopes of their fans up to begin with.
They started by losing three of their first four and have had two more wins sprinkled across the season, but it’s more or less been a trainwreck for the Auckland-based outfit.
Interestingly, their defence hasn’t been that bad, but their attack has been the second worst in the competition.
Prediction
It’s a hard game to tip, based on the fact neither team were in good touch before the break and have been off for four weeks. The only way to split them is the venue, so the Blues should get the job done.
Blues by 5.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 5:35pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Preview written by Scott Pryde.
Orange Fuhrer
Guest
Thorn cant coach. It`s easy to see, time to clean out your locker at QRU HQ you Dummy.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Just think in a couple of weeks you can head to Suncorp to watch the battle for the wooden spoon.
Gepetto
Guest
The Reds are a big chance of the wooden spoon; Coach Goon and his hopeless acolytes will probably score five year contracts and numbers at Broncos and Roar games will swell while Quade and the unheralded Souths boys are on target for the Brisbane Grand Final.
double agent
Guest
My brother in law lives in Auckland and he's got a fair sized backyard and rumpus room he's willing to hire out if the money is fair.
double agent
Guest
The amazing thing about the game was how a team could be so incredibly terrible and still beat the Reds easily.
double agent
Guest
I hope that everyone on the Roar that has ever suggested Jono Lance should be the Wallaby 10 just please give it up.
double agent
Guest
That's got to be one of the worst Super Rugby games I've ever seen. Both sides - and the ref - were just awful.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Time - there's what 2 matches left in the season for the Reds
Mzilikazi
Guest
Singapore Sting....good name !
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Great idea - here's a little something to get you started https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79DijItQXMM - just replace Maui with Brad Thorn in the lyrics and you'll be on the way. And gee you'll only cover the last two years. I was really looking forward to reading how Thorn was the inspiration behind the 1994, 1995 and 2011 super rugby victories, not to mention the 1980 win against the All Blacks. That must have been Thorn too. As well as sunshine, flowers and gosh darn it everything right and good in the world. But keep it up Rhys, now that Terry Pratchett has sadly passed on the world does need another author of comedic fantasy.
Singapore Sling
Guest
You're no less obsessed with Thorn than others are with Cooper. I suggest you acquaint yourself with self awareness. An article on Thorns Reds forward factory would be interesting. How will you apportion credit to past coaches and present assistant's? Cameron Lillicrap is the Reds scrum coach, Spindel and Stiles deserve credit for mentoring and developing Toupo, Stiles got Tui and Rodda Wallaby caps and Korczyk and squad run. Anyway, I'm sure we're all looking forward to your next option piece.
Singapore Sling
Guest
I've no doubt Thorn told the Reds to tackle better.....and run faster..... and jump higher etc. Inspirational and innovative "stuff".
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
End of next season - why on earth would Thorn get that long ? "A lot of people need to learn just to enjoy the game, " Fair go Rhys do you even watch the game - what about the Reds last performance was enjoyable?? Heck even some of their wins this year have been about as much fun as watching grass grow. They got a great scrum, i'll give them that but there's a heck of a lot more to rugby than the scrum.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Well I was actually thinking of writing one about how Queensland has become the forward's factory of Australia under Thorn. His forwards have had five Wallabies debuts in the last two years while Thorn has been Red's forwards or head coach, the Waratahs being the next best with two. I can't think of how I might write Cooper into that story because I'm not obsessed with him like you and so many others here are, but if you can think of an angle then let me know.
Baz
Guest
The 2 Yellow Cards were the easiest calls made all night. Need to change the rules if you are not happy with what the Ref is calling.
Ralph
Roar Guru
I admit I didn't believe and picked the Reds. Well done Blues. But four yellows in one game, ha ha ha. Oh mercy!
Singapore Sling
Guest
You should search Thorns post match interviews. He talks about doing "stuff" better. He actually said losing "sucks" in the post canes presser.
Gepetto
Guest
I respect the fact that local Kiwi and South African telecasters highlight illegal play by the opposition; I cannot work out why the Lang Park media do not return the favour when the Reds play at home. You would never see a South Aftrican TV crew show foul play by their team but we see endless replays of opponent's misdemeanours.
Singapore Sling
Guest
Rhys, could you write another article waxing lyrical about Thorns virtues while bagging Cooper at the same time. It's been a few weeks since you exercised your rugby acumen.
enoughisenough
Guest
Yes Andrew, the bias against Cooper by some people knows no limits. Of course he is injured at present and wouldn't have been available last night anyhow, but the fact remains that the players Thorn has in lieu of Cooper are nowhere near the player Cooper is. For this reason alone coach Thorn owes the supporters more than a mumbled, "we are going in another direction" explanation for continuing to ostracize Cooper whilst his backline flounders around like an under 7's side. Unless Thorns "new direction" is deliberately reverse, he has failed as Reds coach and as bad as things were under Stiles, they never plumbed the depths that Thorn has taken the Reds to. Thorn has shown himself to be a poor coach, a horrible selector, and a very poor communicator. If its all about attitude and defence Brad, and its all about character, how about you show some, and admit you were not up to the job and step aside for the good of Reds rugby.