Reds purpose to buck historical past and cement Tremendous finals spot

The Queensland Reds will possible want to finish their horrific New Zealand document to sneak into the Tremendous Rugby Pacific finals after one other expensive loss uncovered their robust run dwelling.

The Reds surrendered sixth spot to rivals NSW Waratahs in a 32-24 loss in Townsville on Saturday.

It dropped them to seventh with a 4-6 document, only one win (4 factors) away from ninth-placed Melbourne in what’s shaping as a five-horse race for the final three finals spots.

The Reds play the unbeaten Chiefs in Taranaki on Friday earlier than internet hosting the Blues at Suncorp Stadium and ending the common season with journeys to the Highlanders and Fijian Drua.

The Reds have by no means received in New Zealand since Brad Thorn took over in 2018, with simply two victories in complete towards their Kiwi rivals in that point.

The Drua have additionally proved a deadly group on dwelling soil, beating the Crusaders and Hurricanes already this season.

Thorn will not coach on subsequent season and has lengthy coveted success in his native nation.

The drought has continued this 12 months in two dwelling losses to New Zealand sides.

However the Reds have additionally misplaced to Australian rivals the Brumbies, Melbourne Rebels and Waratahs in considerably of a fall from grace for the 2021 Tremendous Rugby AU champions.

“We have put ourselves in a difficult place; it is going to be a tricky highway,” Reds lock Angus Blyth stated.

“We wish to make him (Thorn) proud and get some good wins; the season hasn’t gone how we wished it once we all sat down firstly of the season.”

Scores have been locked 17-17 at halftime towards the Waratahs however the Reds’ solely second-half factors got here as soon as the ultimate siren had sounded, regardless of them creating quite a few alternatives.

“We left a whole lot of factors on the market; I feel it was 11 22-metre entries and we transformed three of them,” Blyth stated.

“If we get that proper it goes a protracted approach to profitable

“We get a bit too excited, perhaps have to take a sort out, get round and play the following section.

“Attempt to be extra affected person and know we will get the factors within the subsequent section, or the one after that.”

Piloted by Damian McKenzie, the Chiefs have received all 10 video games and picked up 5 bonus factors to take a seat 9 factors away from the Brumbies on prime of desk.

REDS’ RUN HOME

v Chiefs (10-0) away

v Blues (7-3) dwelling

v Highlanders (3-7) away

v Drua (4-6) away

Australian Related Press