Memories of Queensland’s 2011 Super Rugby final win over the Crusaders has Reds captain Fraser McReight primed for a huge performance in Saturday night’s battle against the Kiwi outfit at Suncorp Stadium.
After winning four successive games, the Reds’ Super Rugby Pacific campaign is in danger of imploding after back-to-back losses to the Hurricanes and Western Force.
The Reds can ill-afford another defeat this weekend, but face a tough task against the competition’s reigning champions.
“We’ve had plenty to work on … and really delivered on what we wanted to this week,” a confident McReight said.
“We’ve had some key focuses that we’ve worked really hard at. When you look at games of rugby that don’t go your way, when you look at what really goes wrong, it’s your fundamentals, your basics.
“The Crusaders are a world-class team … so for us it’s a collision battle, winning that physicality. They’re going to be coming at us really hard because they love that area as well, and for us it’s about just getting up for it.”
If star flanker McReight and the Reds needed any extra motivation to lift, it comes from trying to emulate the feats of Queensland’s 2011 team that beat the Crusaders 18-13 in a memorable final at Suncorp Stadium.
“I was there at the final in the stands as a 12-year-old,” McReight said.
“You look back now at flashbacks and hype reels of Digby (Ioane’s) try and the Willie (Genia) try as a key turning point.
“I just remember the crowd and everyone in Queensland talking about the Queensland Reds and how positive it was around rugby here in Queensland, and how everyone was so happy to support the Reds.
“That’s something we always try to resonate with and try to get back to – making our fans happy to support us.
“As a young fan, watching that (final) and supporting the Reds … it was such a big moment in my youth.
“I loved going to every game. Hopefully we’re returning that favour to juniors, mums and dads and for everyone out there.”
The Reds also want to ensure that winger Filipo Daugunu can celebrate his 100th Super Rugby appearance in style.
“Filipo is outstanding. He dominates in everything he does. He might seem quiet but he’s a real character in our dressing-room,” McReight said.
Reds coach Les Kiss echoed McReight’s sentiments about Daugunu.
“He’s a fantastic character in our locker room and on the field,” Kiss said
“He makes so many crucial plays whether that’s in attack, a big moment in defence or one of his trademark jackals at the breakdown.”
