Queensland Reds prop James Slipper set to miss Crusaders clash after being cited for lifting tackle

JAMES Slipper is feeling the greatest pain for the Reds’ biggest crisis since 2009 because a certain ban will delay any chance of on-field redemption.

Ben Tapuai makes a charge for the Reds against the Blues at Eden Park.

DESOLATE Wallaby prop James Slipper is feeling the greatest pain for the Reds’ biggest crisis since 2009 because a certain suspension will delay any chance of redemption on the field.

Eradicating lifting tackles is a priority on SANZAR’s hit list and Slipper should brace himself for a possible two-week ban for his during the 44-14 thumping from the Blues in Auckland on Friday.

BLUES RUN RIOT OVER HAPLESS REDS

The prospect may exist later Sunday for just a single-game suspension by copping an early guilty plea for dangerous play after being charged “with dropping or driving” Blues forward Peter Saili into the ground.

Either way, Slipper’s form surge and the authority to the Reds’ best scrums has been stalled by the post-game citing because he will only be a spectator for next Sunday’s match against the Crusaders.

Reds coach Richard Graham’s slow-motion examination of Slipper’s tackle indicated Saili first made contact with the Eden Park turf with a hand and elbow. His shoulder and upper back did thud into the turf which is where Slipper’s problem will be with the Kiwi judicial officer assigned his case.

Ben Tapuai makes a charge for the Reds against the Blues at Eden Park.

Western Force lock Ben McCalman was suspended for two weeks in March for a dangerous lifting tackle when his record of good behaviour halved his time.

Slipper, 24, has never been suspended in five seasons of top level rugby and the angst that he will be able to do nothing to help the Reds out of their hole was etched on his face when he flew home to Brisbane on Saturday.

As the pressure mounts on his poor three-win, seven-loss ledger as Ewen McKenzie’s successor, Graham said panic and knee-jerk selection calls were no solution.

“I don’t think you do anything drastic. There’s no miracle fix,” Graham said.

“Mistakes again really hurt us so we just have to keep working hard to reach that turning point moment.”

Quade Cooper is driven into the Eden Park turf by George Moala.

Winger Chris Feauai-Sautia, the Reds’ most powerful ball-running back, is back on the injured list with a dislocated left shoulder.

He will have scans on Monday but is sure to be out of the Crusaders game.

Fortunately for the Reds, 2012 Wallaby Dom Shipperley has beaten his hip problem and is ready to be rushed straight in.

The Blues’ fast-rushing defenders bottled up Quade Cooper but their respect for him was clear in a noble post-match gesture in the Reds’ dressingroom.

Senior Blues quartet Ma’a Nonu, Keven Mealamu, Jerome Kaino and Luke Braid made an unexpected visit to present Cooper with a specially embroidered Blues jersey that marked the playmaker’s 100th game.

“Ma’a said a few words about the Blues having gone through some tough times to turn the corner,’’ Graham said.

“We’ve put ourselves in the same boat this season but we have a close team and they are fighters who want to win again.’’

Four straight losses for the first time since 2009 has stranded the Reds in 13th spot.

“You get beaten by 30 points and it is never good enough. We have to be better,” skipper James Horwill said.