Chiefs
29
Match Complete
Queensland Reds
20
| D. McKenzie |  | 76 | ||
| P. G. Sowakula |  | 75 | ||
| D. McKenzie |  | 69 | ||
| 60 | | T. Lynagh | ||
| 59 | | S. Vunivalu | ||
| 51 | | T. Lynagh | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 48 | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 41 | ||
| E. Narawa | | 39 | ||
| 34 | | H. Wilson | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 30 | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 22 | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 18 | ||
| 8 | | S. Vunivalu |
| 2 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 5 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Brad Thorn has made three changes to his starting for Saturday afternoon’s clash in Hamilton against the Chiefs. Join The Roar for live scores and blog from 2.30pm AEST.
Tom Lynagh, 20, returns at fly-half, with James O’Connor shifting to inside centre after Hunter Paisami’s withdrawal. O’Connor will partner Filpo Daugunu, who started at outside centre in the Reds’ big upset win over the Chiefs last month, in the midfield.
The tweaked midfield pairing has seen Josh Flook shift to the left-wing.
“We come into the quarter-final with a great challenge in front us. Finals footy is a step up in intensity, physicality and pressure,” Thorn said.
“The Chiefs finished as minor premiers and are deserved favourites in Hamilton this Saturday.
“They’ve got threats across the park and we will need to be at our best to challenge them this weekend.”
Tom Lynagh will wear the No.10 jersey against the Chiefs. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
As expected, the Chiefs have made sweeping changes after resting the bulk of their squad for their last round of the regular season against the Chiefs.
All Blacks stars Samisoni Taukei’aho, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Brad Weber and Damian McKenzie have all returned.
Game information
Venue: FMG Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 2.35pm AEST
Stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Chiefs $1.05 Reds $12 – Odds via PlayUp
Teams
Chiefs (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, John Ryan, Brodie Retallick, Josh Lord, Samipeni Finau, Sam Cane (co-c) Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber (co-c), Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Anton Lienert-Brown, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Pita Gus Sowakula, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Daniela Rona
Reds (1-15): Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Sef Fa’agase, Angus Blyth, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Josh Flook, James O’Connor, Filpo Daugunu, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Richie Asiata, Dane Zander, Zane Nonggorr, Lopeti Faifua, Jake Upfield, Kalani Thomas, Lawson Creighton, Taj Annan
Referee: Angus Gardner
WEST
Roar Guru
We’ve lost our way a bit over the past decade, we use to be the trendsetter.. Now we’re out of ideas. I’m hoping Wayne Smith & Razor will reinvigorate the ABs which will bleed down into our SR teams
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I was talking about the Chiefs Westie. Give us a sniff and we'll take it in a flash. Kick returns, counter, broken play we're brilliant. Routine running through the phases against the best teams, even the Highlanders and Reds, we tend to go backwards.
Passit2me
Roar Rookie
What I don't get, is that players go off their feet in a great deal of rucks, whether it's because they slip or because they have forward momentum and not enough opposition resistance or because the players behind them push and cause them to lose balance. Just lookout the bodies in many rucks, it's chaos and going off feet happens on so many occasions.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
It was a beauty Tony.
WEST
Roar Guru
I like the Reds, just need a better team strategy. Right from pre season to the finals. Get a good plan in place and set goals.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes West. Where was THIS for the last month? But I am grateful that they brought it tonight nevertheless.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
He scores tries, he walks, he turns his back on play, he recites poetry in back play. There’s nothing this fella can’t do.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Joc made Lynagh look good. Lynagh is still a one trick pony with his kicking game. Didn't do anything with running and didn't set anyone up with his passing game. D was as usual passable if that.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Vuni was once again pedestrian in D, literally walks once they have gone past him.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Thought Gardner generally had a great game. How good was the officiating around holding people in the ruck. Completely changed the game from a penalty show to a roaring arm wrestle.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Daugunu was a huge surprise. I think if he stayed on the outcome would have been a lot less certain. He made vunivalu look good in D as he took both channels. Would be a smokey for 3rd back up 13 for WC if it wasn't for the injury.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Terrible other than the 2 chefs games thou
WEST
Roar Guru
Seems strange they lift for the Chiefs? No one else? Maybe they can pretend they play the chiefs every week :happy:
Dean
Roar Rookie
Filipo had a great start to the season on the wing, then he faded a bit. His games at 13 have been excellent, more effective than Perese and probably only second to Ikitau (who is simply outstanding).
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Yeah difference is Reds have a nasty habit of turning up when you least expect them to.. makes them a dangerous side… Chiefs got lucky. I think they deserved to win as you make your own luck… but a game that could have gone either way.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Oops! I did it again, damn Brittany Spears… :laughing:
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Tim, please don’t say the T word on a Reds thread. That sort of thing starts wars.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I wonder how many Tahs players will be picked Ken?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Reds were good. Chiefs were better.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes Tim, and a few Reds’ stocks rose with Eddie I’d wager.