Super Rugby: Queensland Reds wary of hurting Hurricanes in Wellington
The Reds want to finish their season on a high against the Hurricanes, who remain a slim hope of making the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final.
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The Queensland Reds are bracing themselves for a Hurricanes backlash in Wellington on Friday night.
The Hurricanes’ hopes of reaching the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman suffered a near-fatal blow last Saturday when there were beaten 12-10 by the Brumbies.
It was just the second time since the start of the new competition that an Australian team had beaten a New Zealand team.
To make the final, the Hurricanes must beat the Reds and rely on other results to go their way in this weekend’s final round of the regular season.
“Results don’t always go to the script and we have seen the Australian sides becoming a lot more competitive as this competition has gone on,” Hurricanes coach Jason Holland said.
“We’ve felt that first hand and we know the Reds are going to provide a massive challenge.”
“While we were bitterly disappointed to lose in Canberra the boys have picked themselves up and are really determined to put on a good performance for a number of reasons.”
Reds captain Liam Wright said the Queenslanders expected the hosts to attack from the opening whistle.
“We’re going to be prepared for them to really front up from the beginning, (and) play some really attacking footy in chase of bonus points and that elusive win,” Wright said.
“We’re just fronting up for it. We’re ready to throw it back at them, not sit back and wait for them to attack us, and try to go back at them.”
Having also tasted success against New Zealand opposition this season, the Reds are equal on points with the Brumbies, who host the Highlanders in tonight’s later game.
“We’re not playing for the title or anything but we’re playing for Queensland,” Wright said.
“There are no such things as dead rubbers when we’re in that jersey and we’re really looking forward to doing it proud.”
Originally published as Super Rugby: Queensland Reds wary of hurting Hurricanes in Wellington
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