Queensland playmaker James O’Connor claimed the underdogs tag for his team leading into Saturday night’s blockbuster with the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium.
The Reds are coming off an impressive 32-20 victory over NSW and have a 5-1 record this season but they are still smarting from their only loss, a 16-12 nail-biter in Canberra a fortnight ago.
“They’re the pinnacle of Australian rugby and we’re chasing them,” O’Connor said on Thursday.
“They have been the most consistent team this year in Australia … I feel we’re still building, which is a good thing, because last year we probably peaked a bit too early.”
He has revealed an almost telepathic bond with ball-running prop Taniela Tupou as the side prepares for the next chapter in their Brumbies rivalry.
Top spot on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder will go on the line this weekend – the Reds could jump the unbeaten Brumbies with a bonus-point win. History suggests that will be hard to come by though.
While the home side in Reds v Brumbies games have won a remarkable 14 of the last 15 clashes, the margin has been five points or less in seven of the last eight.
That includes the Reds’ last-gasp three-point win in the 2021 domestic final – the Brumbies’ last trip north – and a controversial four-point win to the Brumbies in Canberra earlier this month.
On that occasion the Brumbies were able to stifle the Reds’ scrum potency, with Tupou bouncing back to dominate at set piece in a gutsy win against the NSW Waratahs last week.
While O’Connor was quick to clarify their scrum would hinge on all eight big men, he said 25-year-old tighthead prop Tupou’s influence on the game had grown to new heights this season.
“He’s just authentic; Nella is Nella,” O’Connor said.
“As he gets older and as he’s growing he’s becoming so much more reliable.
“Now I can just look at him and tell where he’s at and he’ll let me know whether he’s got it as well.
“In set piece, but also with his energy on the field (in general play) … he creates space all over the field and I believe he’s only getting better.”
Second-rower Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will return from an ankle injury for the Reds, while Liam Wright and Filipo Daugunu will start in place of the injured Seru Uru and Jock Campbell.
Yet to play a game this season, off-contract winger Suliasi Vunivalu (hamstring) is eyeing a return in the Reds’ April 15 clash with the Melbourne Rebels.
Brumbies five-eighth Noah Lolesio (ankle) is out injured and won’t get the chance to push his case for a Wallabies cap later this year against incumbent O’Connor, while Test halfback Nic White will come off the bench a week after the birth of his third child.
“We know each others’ games inside and out … it’s so easy to get up for these ones,” O’Connor said of the rivalry.
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Dean
Roar Rookie
That’s a terrifying thought!!
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
So many little games within the big game at Lang Park. And so many players missing on both sides that some of the more perplexing comparisons won’t be made. The outcome therefore stands in the hands of the Reds 9 and 10, the combination that many suspect should be the Wallaby combination at the beginning of the Test season. Wouldn’t it be good to see scrums as contested re-starts, as originally designed, rather than contests for penalties. How’s this for an idea, keep resetting the scrums so that players and coaches realise what rugby is, rather than what “penalties” is as a game. Maybe we would also get to see some backline plays, set moves(?), before the field is flooded with defenders. Enjoy the weekend Roarers.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
He does? Or McKellar does? I’m wondering if that is simply due to the fact that those are the forwards McK knows best and will play the way he wants, rather than he can coach the best forwards in the country? And then I ask, who has the most influence over the Brum forwards, McK or Laurie Fisher?
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yeah, wasn't impressed Muprhy's scrum adjudication in their last meeting. Also unimpressed by Berry's refereeing of the Brumbies/Tahs scrums earlier this season. Hope Gardiner is on song and we get a cracking match and scrums. Would like to see the stats - suspect if there was a tally of sides involved in collapsed scrums/scrums that ended in penalties across this and last season that Brumbies and Force would be right at the top of the list. Rebels chasing hard this year. At least those are my guesses, would love to see the actual data.
Double Agent
Guest
:laughing:
Double Agent
Guest
Don't think 'clanger' was the word you were looking for.
Double Agent
Guest
Reds are the favourites with the bookies.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
As long as the game isn't played in a briar patch those Reds should be fine.
Antony Henrie
Guest
Brumbies 13 Wallabies, Reds 7 Wallabies, the Brumbies are favourites.
JP
Guest
" Reds front row in front "? HUh ? The Brumbies have the Wallabies starting front row . Dungo Dave Runnie has TT on the pine in his Wallaby 23.
Ray
Roar Rookie
'he said 25-year-old tighthead prop Tupou’s influence on the game had grown to new heights this season'. Tupou influence depends a great deal on the scrum interpretation by the referee on the day. Last game between the Reds/Brumbies in Canberra, he was not dominate in the game. This week, who knows how Gardiner will adjudge, but how he referees it will be critical to the game outcome.
JP
Guest
awwwwwwww just because he wouldn`t make the crusaders team he is a poor player. awwww you poor dear. Did he steal your dolly?
Markus
Roar Rookie
Based on that 14 of 15 mentioned in the article, it is unquestionably the home team.
Olly
Roar Rookie
I think you would be surprised if you looked at the numbers for both teams as Defense is not what is making the difference. Defense numbers are identical (.3% difference which is interesting considering the Reds defended 13 on 15 last week). The difference between the two sides is actually the lineout, try-scoring, and Penalty goal conversion rate. The Brumbies are performing far better than the Reds in these three areas, everything else is almost identical. The Reds do have two extra Yellow cards but the penalty count is near identical. I am also not surprised that the Brumbies are better in these areas as IMO they are a better-coached team than the Reds, particularly in attack. Home ground advantage kicks in for this game and I am hoping that it is not decided by a card which is highly likely between these two sides.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Surely the team that won the game they played 2 weeks ago would be considered favourites right...
Olly
Roar Rookie
Reds underdogs playing at home :laughing:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
The TMO needs assistants like a ref has so give the TMO 2 assistants.....
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
"Golden Balls"
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
"“He’s just authentic; Nella is Nella,” O’Connor said. “As he gets older and as he’s growing" Oh my god he's still growing!!!!! :shocked: :laughing:
Fin
Roar Rookie
About time. Throw another TMO in too.