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This is the second iteration of this fixture. The previous matchup in Perth was a rip roaring affair where the Reds came away with a win in the final minutes of the game. Both teams have been humbled by the Crusaders since but have both recorded important wins against the Waratahs and Drua respectively.
This is the second iteration of this fixture. The previous matchup in Perth was a rip roaring affair where the Reds came away with a win in the final minutes of the game. Both teams have been humbled by the Crusaders since but have both recorded important wins against the Waratahs and Drua respectively.
There has been plenty of talk during the week about Queensland Reds head coach Les Kiss and the top job with the Wallabies. QRU have reportedly given Kiss their blessing to accept the role despite him having another year on his current contract. However, Kiss in all his infinite “Kissisms” will be determined to keep the main thing, the main thing and that means all eyes are on the Western Force coming to town.
This Reds team looks significantly different to the outfit that ran out in HBF Stadium in round three. The Reds are feeling the effects of two bruising tests versus the Waratahs and Highlanders and as a result are missing two of their most iconic players. However, Kiss can call on another Wallaby forward for his first start of the season while their halfbacks have been rotated slightly.
On the other hand, Simon Cron was able to announce a full strength side and in my opinion is the prettiest looking side of the entire round. No mean feat when the Waratahs welcome back their million dollar man, their Ferrari Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
Let's take a look at some of the key talking points ahead of this weekend’s game.
Wallabies In, Wallabies Out
The most glaring absentees for this Queensland side comes in their back row in the form of Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson. These players are so durable and so important to the fabric of the team that this side looks completely different, at least on paper anyway. John Bryant and Joe Brial are handy replacements but the drop in quality is substantial. It’s no easy thing to replace the Wallabies Captain and the current Australian Super Rugby player of the year. However, it’s not all doom and gloom for Les Kiss’ side because this week, they’re able to welcome in one of their key off season signings back into their starting tea; Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
Sprung from the bench in last weekend’s game, the former Northampton Saint gets the green light from the get go and will look to hit the ground running after his positional counterparts’ excellent form.
The second row is an area of strength for the Reds side, LSL return takes it to another level, but Wilson and McRreight will be missed significantly.
You Can Look But You Can’t Touch
Simply look at that Western Force side. I think it just may be my favourite teamsheet of the year. You can look but you can’t touch. This week’s team is the epitome of the team Simon Cron has been looking to build. His front row is competitive, Atu Moli and Ryan Coxon on the bench are putting their starting counterparts Marley Pearce and Tom Robertson under pressure. Brandon Paenga Amosa has been a terrific signing and is set to battle it out with Nic Dolly till the very end. Jeremey Williams and Darcy Swain make up one of the best balanced second row combinations in the competition and Will Harris and Nick Champion de Crespigny compliment Carlos Tizzano exquisitely.
Nic White and Ben Donaldson are making a case as a combination for international honours and they’re unleashing a backline that is chomping at the bit to get their hands on the ball. Sio Tompkinson works really well with Hamish Stewart’s distribution skills while Mac Grealy is one of the finds of the whole competition. Grealy played primarily on the wing last year for the Reds but has slotted into full back excellently. Mac Greally is my pick to make his debut later this year. Dylan Pietsch has been phenomenal in contact and Harry Potter has been electric out wide.
Pound for pound one of my favourite teams on paper but that means there’s little to no room for error for the Force’s coaching ticket.
New Leadership
In the absence of Harry Wilson, the incumbent Wallabies captain, the Queensland Reds have appointed a new captain for this week’s fixture in the form of second rower Ryan Smith.
Smith was named as captain against Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan last November and for a pre-season fixture. Smith was one of the unfortunate players called into Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies’ squad who didn’t earn a cap last year. The experienced Queenslander will be eager to show a new element of his abilities to the national selector by demonstrating his leadership skills.
Reds head coach Les Kiss said. “Smithy did an excellent job in his week of captaincy in Japan and he is highly respected within our squad”.
With regular co-captain Tate McDermott set to appear of the bench, Ryan Smith has been chosen to lead the side and it will be interesting to see how he goes in a Reds team that is flying high at the top of the table.