A tough loss at the Chiefs last weekend interrupted a three-win streak and dislodged Les Kiss’s men from the top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder, but the Reds will take a lot of positives from the battle across the Tasman. The team’s Talisman, Harry Wilson, however, will be on the sidelines for six weeks after sustaining an arm fracture in the game.
The game in Hamilton has been mentioned by many as a potential preview of the final in a few months, the home advantage nudged the Chiefs over the line. The desperately close slide in unawarded try by Harry McLaughlin-Phillips after a fantastic weaving run by the former Brisbane Boys College student, was a big turning point that, on another day, could have given the Reds the momentum they needed to forge ahead.
Harry Wilson’s grubber for Tom Lynagh’s try was a touch of class from the Wallabies skipper, after the game revolved around huge defence from both sides with multiple arm wrestles on each goal line on a wet track. Eventually the Chiefs got on top in the final quarter, the penalties conceded count for the game 12-7 to the Reds was an area that Les Kiss will want to tighten up for the Brumbies clash.
The Reds will be missing Wilson and Filipo Daugunu, who sustained a minor leg injury in the Brumbies clash.
Joe Brial will replace Wilson in the back row and Tim Ryan comes in for Daugunu on the wing.
Les Kiss says that the centres pairing of Hunter Paisami and Dre Pakeho are developing a very strong partnership.
The game will have two centurions as Brisbane-born Brumbies winger Andy Muirhead (after his deft half volley grubber against the Highlanders to score a try) and Tate McDermott will play their 100th game in Super Rugby. Matt Faessler and Zane Nonggorr will hit their 50th Super Rugby milestone.
Whilst the Brumbies are on top in the recent head to head, winning seven out of the last 12 games between the two sides, Les Kiss will feel the Reds (even without Wilson and Daugunu), can beat a Brumbies side who have won twice away from home this season, at the Blues and the Drua (currently sit in the last two spots of the ladder). An unconvincing win against the struggling Highlanders at home last week makes them underdogs.
The game kicks off at Suncorp at 7:35 p.m. on Friday night.
