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We are heading towards the back half of the Super Rugby Pacific season which looms as a pivotal clash, the Reds are set to host the Blues on ANZAC Day at Suncorp Stadium. Fresh off the bye, the Reds welcome back fullback Jock Campbell into the starting fifteen. The livewire fullback has come off the pine twice, since fracturing his arm against Moana Pasifika.
We are heading towards the back half of the Super Rugby Pacific season which looms as a pivotal clash, the Reds are set to host the Blues on ANZAC Day at Suncorp Stadium. Fresh off the bye, the Reds welcome back fullback Jock Campbell into the starting fifteen. The livewire fullback has come off the pine twice, since fracturing his arm against Moana Pasifika.
After starting strongly, there has been a dip in form for the Reds; dropping two of their last three matches. The Reds sit in fourth position on the ladder; one point ahead of the Force and two ahead of the Waratahs. The race to the finals is becoming tightly congested. A win for the home side will be vital, to shore up their chances of a finals spot.
No New Zealand side has managed to win in Australia this season; the Blues will be hungry to change this, after a last-minute loss to the Crusaders last week.
Blues coach Vernan Cotter has surprisingly moved All Blacks star Beauden Barrett to the bench. The Blues talisman notched up 1500 points in the loss to the Crusaders, Cotter looks to be playing the long game—saving Barrett’s spark for a second-half surge.
Let's take a look at some of the key talking points ahead of this weekend’s game.
The home side have struggled for consistency over the last month. The Reds have lost their last two Super Rugby Pacific games after winning seven of their previous nine games. Les Kiss’s men have won two of their last three games against New Zealand opposition.
Head coach Les Kiss isn’t underestimating the Blues.
"It's a (Blues) team really coming back into form," Kiss said.
"Very wary ... they're a bit up and down by their own admission. They've had to navigate through some choppy waters, so we're going to need to be good," Kiss added.
The "Junkyard Dog" hasn’t quite hit his 2024 peak but remains a threat in big games. His heroics against the Blues at Suncorp last year are still fresh in memory.
After losing six of their opening nine games, the visitors have found their mojo; a James O’Connor penalty was the difference last week. This is a Blues side littered with All Blacks that know how to win big games.
BluesBluesRedsThe Blues have won their last four games on the bounce against the same opposition and their record in Australia is equally as daunting. The visitors have won 13 of their last 14 Super Rugby Pacific games in Australia including their last six in a row; their only defeat in that frame was a 20-25 loss to the ACT Brumbies at AAMI Park in Round 2, 2023.
Prediction
A fired-up Friday night crowd could tilt the scales. Expect a tight contest—with the Reds edging it by two.
Queensland Reds Starting XV (1-15) Sef Fa'agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Joe Brial, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Dre Pakeho, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Queensland Reds Replacements (16-23) George Blake, Alex Hodgman, Massimo de Lutiis, Angus Blyth, Ryan Smith, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Heremaia Murray
Blues Starting XV (1-15) Joshua Fusitu'a, Kurt Eklund, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Beehre, Cameron Christie, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Mark Tele'a, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Cole Forbes, Zarn Sullivan
Blues Replacements (16-23) Ricky Riccitelli, Mason Tupaea, Hamdahn Tuipulotu, Laghlan McWhannell, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Beauden Barrett, Corey Evans
