Reds all the rage for 'Canes
The Reds coaching staff will have the luxury of almost a full squad to choose from when they select the team to play the Hurricanes in a Super 14 Round Two match in Wellington on Friday.
The Reds coaching staff will have the luxury of almost a full squad to choose from when they select the team to play the Hurricanes in a Super 14 Round Two match in Wellington on Friday.
The exception is utility midfielder and Australian Sevens player Henari Veratau, who underwent surgery on the ankle he fractured in the 32-18 win by the Reds Second 15 over the Young Waratahs in Sydney at the weekend.
The 22 players chosen for last Friday's successful opening Super 14 round – a 22-16 win over the Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium – will all be eligible for selection, as will all squad members other than Veratau.
Reds coach Phil Mooney was pleased with the win, but disappointed his side didn't come away with a four try bonus point.
“Before the game, to be honest, we targeted that as a five point game, so we're slightly disappointed that we didn't get that fourth try. But I'm clearly very happy that we did win and, importantly, everyone's come through fully fit and we move onto Wellington now in a good space.”
The Reds have not beaten the Hurricanes at home since 1998 (Reds 41-33) and Mooney is not taking them lightly, despite the Hurricanes' first up 3-20 loss the Waratahs.
“We're playing against a side choc-a-block with All Blacks so we really want to test ourselves against a good side and that's clearly what they are,” Mooney said.
The Reds will look to control the tempo of the game, which can speed up considerably under the new Experimental Law Variations (ELVs).
“We don't want to get into a situation where it almost becomes 15 man Sevens, because they [the Hurricanes] are big, physical guys. They've got damaging ball runners and clearly the offload has come into the game, so they can really hurt you,” Mooney said.
“For us, we want to be controlling the tempo of the game and when we get the opportunity to play high-tempo footy we'll do it, but we can't do it for 80 minutes.”
Reds lock Van Humphries said Friday's match against the Highlanders was a real test of fitness for the big Reds' pack and he believes they handled it as well as most teams in the competition.
“We're quite a big forward pack this year so the new rules took their toll on us at the end of each half,” Humphries said.
“I don't think it's a fitness issue. I thought it was after the game, but after watching every other game over the weekend I think every Super 14 side and every larger forward pack did really struggle with the new laws.
“You don't get that break when you kick out from the 22. You have to constantly chase up, chase back and for a tight five and even a tight eight, it is very taxing on your legs.
“I think after three or four more rounds you'll see a lot more productive football, everyone will be that bit fitter and that bit sharper and more aware of the laws and the rules that have been brought in this season.”
Humphries also paid tribute to the Reds' two front rowers, Greg Holmes and Rodney Blake, who played the full 80 minutes against the Highlanders. He said anyone who suggested the Reds weren't fit was selling them short.
“I think for people to say that it's a fitness issue after the work these guys put in over the off-season, it's a short jab. They obviously weren't out here watching us train. For a 135-140kg guy to be playing 80 minutes under these new laws, it's a big effort.”
The Reds fly out for New Zealand on Wednesday.