Last week’s defeat to the table topping Brumbies means that Les Kiss’s Queensland Reds will need to bounce back at Suncorp this week to retain their Top 4 place. With only one more game to go before the Super Rugby Pacifica playoffs begin, realistically, the Reds are unlikely to finish higher than 4th but two losses could lead them to miss out on the playoffs. Although, they should be strong favourites for their final game against Fijian Drua.
The 4th position can provide a second bite at the cherry; if seeds one and two win their quarter finals, a loss for the 4th seed would mean they would remain in the competition anyway.
The Reds talisman and Wallabies skipper, Harry Wilson, returns after his broken arm and Tom Lynagh also makes a timely comeback.
The Hurricanes are unbeaten in their last four games, including a draw with the Force, and an away win against the Brumbies. Their win against the Highlanders last week, however, only came about with an 81st-minute Roigard try, given the Highlanders are bottom of the Super Ladder.
This gives the Reds some hope that they can defend their castle in this crucial arm wrestle; however, a 4th spot with the benefits of a potential second bite at the cherry is also within sight for the Canes.
Bad news: The Hurricanes have won 13 of the last 14 games against the Reds. The return of Wilson and Lynagh along with the Hurricanes under par performance last week, gives the Reds a strong chance if their front row can be competitive.
Their nailbiting win against the Highlanders, came at a big cost to the Hurricanes. Brayden Iose and Riley Higgins are out for the rest of the season. Ngane Punivai will also likley miss the game at Suncorp with an injury.
The Reds – Hurricanes game is part of a double header at Suncorp tonight, 23 May. The Wallaroos play Canada kick off at 4:55 p.m., with the Reds running out for a 7:35 p.m. kick off. If you can’t make it to Suncorp, 9GEM and Stan will broadcast the game live.
