A clash against the unpredictable Fijian Drua is the ideal way for the Queensland Reds to prepare for their upcoming Super Rugby Pacific finals campaign.
That’s the belief of Reds winger Lachie Anderson ahead of Friday night’s battle between the teams at Suncorp Stadium.
The Reds are guaranteed a spot in next month’s finals series, and could finish as high as fourth on the ladder depending on results this weekend.
While the Drua can’t finish in the top-six, they will be intent on finishing their season on a high by beating the Queenslanders.
“They play an exciting brand of rugby,” Anderson said of the Drua on Thursday.
“You don’t know what you’re going to get, so it makes it hard to prepare for, and (it’s also) their physicality, so they’ll be up for it.
“You want to be playing these types of matches to get ready for finals.”
Anderson has fond memories of the Drua’s visit to Suncorp Stadium 12 months ago when he scored four tries – the first Reds player to do so in Super Rugby – in a 52-7 Queensland win.
When asked about the possibility of bettering that feat on Friday night, the former Melbourne Rebels star joked about “paying off” his teammates to get him as much ball as possible.
“The prices are getting pretty high. I’ve just said ‘boys anything you can do to look after me, I’ll get you dinner’.”
Anderson’s confidence ahead of the finals series has been boosted by signing a new contract that will keep him at the Reds until at least until the end of next season.
“The locker room we have is a big factor in wanting to stay at the Reds,” said the Tokyo Olympian, who has scored 24 tries in 56 Super Rugby appearances.
“It’s a great group of boys – tight on the field and also off it.
“The depth in the squad has definitely grown in my time at the club. Seeing so many players re-sign shows the strong belief that is shared about the Reds and what we can achieve this season and into the future.
“The environment at the Reds has encouraged personal growth and the development of my rugby in a top team.
“For me, it’s about chasing consistency, growth and doing the full 80 minutes well.”
Anderson has also been thrilled with the development of teenage sensation Treyvon Pritchard, who will start at fullback on Friday night in the absence of regular Reds No.15 Jock Campbell, who is being rested.
“Treyvon’s an incredible talent, great young kid, calm head on his shoulders and the more he can get the ball in his hands, the better it’s going to be for him,” Anderson said.
