Henry Speight and Sharks powerful backrow exactly what Reds need to get back on track

THE jaw-dropping impact of Brumbies winger Henry Speight and the mighty Sharks backrow show just how far off the pace the Reds are in Super Rugby.

THE jaw-dropping impact of ACT Brumbies winger Henry Speight and a Sharks backrow overflowing with power demonstrated just how far off the pace the Reds are in Super Rugby.

The two essential elements missing from the Reds make-up this year were irresistible factors in the way knockout finals were won in Canberra and Durban over the weekend.

Two of the most important jigsaw pieces to any side are wingers who can storm through tackles to ignite play out wide and backrowers who can buckle defences in the tighter exchanges.

Speight has been a revelation over the past fortnight. He monstered the Western Force and did an even bigger job on the Chiefs with a 186 running metres and 13 tackle busts.

His knockout final display against the Chiefs has made September 11 one of the most important dates in recent Australian rugby history because the Fijian becomes Wallaby-eligible that day.

The Brumbies directed play to his wing and the long-striding Speight invariably got them rolling forward or showed extra signs of class with backhanded pass or offload.

The first weekend of finals produced two brilliant spectacles with 14 tries, multiple lead changes, rousing fightbacks and two excellent refereeing displays from Craig Joubert and Steve Walsh.

In Durban, there was a duel of contrasting styles that rugby league can never throw up.

The Sharks did everything to stick close to the crunching power of their pack and the Highlanders did everything possible to avoid set pieces for fast, spontaneous attack.

The Reds would sell one of Ballymore’s old grandstands for 109kg flanker Marcell Coetzee or 110kg bruise brother Jean Deysel, who both had monster games.

The Brumbies-NSW Waratahs semi-final in Sydney on Saturday night will be a beauty dripping with meaning.

The Brumbies can win it too with tries like the Robbie Coleman touchdown from slick Nic White and Jesse Mogg counter-attack which just wasn’t in their armoury a year ago.

An Australian side will be in the August 2 final, the best outcome of all.

Originally published as Henry Speight and Sharks powerful backrow exactly what Reds need to get back on track