Queensland Reds vs. Brumbies ‘in hands of rugby gods’

The Queensland Reds have no choice but to launch an all-out first half offensive in Canberra tonight as bushfires threaten the cancellation of their Super Rugby season opener.

The Queensland Reds have no choice but to launch an all-out first half offensive in Canberra tonight as bushfires threaten the cancellation of their Super Rugby season opener.

The competition’s governing body have this week introduced new safety guidelines around air quality as bushfires burn around the ACT.

Queensland Reds captain Liam Wright at the team's trial match with the NSW Waratahs in Dalby. Picture: QRU / Brendan Hertel

If smoke from the nearby Namadgi National Park fire enters GIO Stadium the match could be called off, leaving whichever team leads at halftime to claim competition points in a Duckworth-Lewis-inspired twist.

MORE GOLD COAST BULLETIN RUGBY

● REDS: Full house of GC talent headlines Reds squad v Brumbies

● BRUMBIES: TSS product to be unleashed against the Reds

● SNIPER: Reds star loads up on blocks of chocolate before final trial

Rookie Reds captain Liam Wright said his team would focus on outscoring their opposition and leave smoke policy deliberation to higher powers.

“If the wind changes direction and the smoke comes onto us there are different rulings about who is ahead, before and after halftime,” the flanker said.

“We’ve left that in the hands of SANZAAR and the rugby gods.

“We’ve got to come out of the gates firing and just put our best foot forward right from the start.

“We’re looking forward to playing but in the big scheme of things, lots of people have lost their lives so safety comes first.

“It is what it is and we can’t control it.”

The Reds will attack the first half with the most explosive backline Queensland crowds have seen since Quade Cooper and Will Genia thrilled a decade ago.

Livewire halves pairing Tate McDermott and Isaac Lucas loom as the heirs apparent to the freewheeling Reds partnership of ‘old’, while a Brad Thorn forward pack will provide the muscle to set them loose on the competition.

Queensland Reds hooker Alex Mafi. Picture: QRU / Brendan Hertel

Bond University hooker Alex Mafi has taken his demotion to the bench with good grace.

“We’ve got a really good group of hookers and front rowers at the Reds who are not just good blokes but are really talented,” he said.

“It’s good to be a part of and we bounce off each other well.

“Starting or coming off the bench doesn’t really change your approach because at the end of the day you’ve always got a job to do.

“You do that job at the start or the end so it doesn’t change.”

Temperatures are predicted to flare up to 41 degrees in Canberra today with only slight relief forecasted by kick-off at 6:05pm AEST.