Queensland Reds keen to fulfil spoiler role in closing games with Force and Waratahs

THE Reds have embraced the role of spoilers as they look to kill off the finals hopes of the Force and derail the top-spot seeding of the Waratahs.

Super Rugby - Melbourne Rebels v Queensland Reds at AAMI Park, Lachie Turner celebrates a try with Mike Harris as Colby Faingaa looks on. June 27th 2014. Picture : Colleen Petch

THE Reds have embraced the role of spoilers because they can kill off the finals hopes of the Western Force and derail the coveted top-spot seeding of the NSW Waratahs in their final two matches.

It is a poor second best to actually being in the finals hunt but motivating little targets to finish strongly are what the closing rounds are now about.

“It’s different for the team not to be playing for finals so we are the spoilers. Certainly all the pressure is on the Force to win to stay alive next weekend when we want to show we can win in Perth,” Reds coach Richard Graham said.

Before rugby fans face up to the revamped 2016 Super 18 model of great teams, competitive teams and rubbish teams lets lap up the big plusses of this Super 15 format.

There are still nine teams in the race for six finals spots and myriad possibilities on where each team will finish and in what country they will play.

It is high stakes and never more so than for the table-topping NSW Waratahs, who are doing it in style.

Two home games in the finals is a $1 million-plus pay day.

The Waratahs potent backline, with all major weapons fit and available, should deal with the Highlanders and their suspect defence in Sydney next Sunday afternoon but it is the visit to Brisbane on July 12 that is their worry.

There is no way a Quade-less and Will-less Reds can beat them yet no one predicted a season-best six tries without them either in Melbourne last Friday night.

The opening half against the Rebels was the best of the season in some respects because the Reds had a clear way they wanted to play and they did with discipline.

The Reds coaches had identified that the Rebels always dropped back a winger in defence to cover kicks and still did in the gale even when the Reds weren’t putting the boot to it.

Presto. Fulback Mike Harris and winger Rod Davies joined the line and a fine Davies pass put Lachie Turner away against the man-back Rebels.

The Waratahs could even have the crucial No.1 seeding and home ground advantage for the finals locked up by beating the Highlanders but it will no stroll from there.

They may have to beat two top Kiwi sides to win the final, as the Reds did in 2011, because three are destined to surge into the top six.

Remarkably, just six points separate the five Kiwi sides although there will be some cannibalising of chances in the final two rounds with four Kiwi derbies to come. The Crusaders are looking good with trumps Dan Carter and Kieran Read, back in action from the bench last round, and wing giant Nemani Nadolo returning from a hat-trick of tries for Fiji.

I like the Hurricanes brand of rugby but no Conrad Smith (broken hand) is a major handicap for the fifth-placed side which has a tough game in Hamilton, a bye and a maximum of just five points still on offer.

The injury-hit ACT Brumbies will squeeze into the top six by beating the Force in the last round.

THE ROAD TO THE FINALS...

IN: Waratahs (48 pts) v Highlanders (H), Reds (A)

IN: Sharks (45) v Cheetahs (A), Stormers (A)

BOX SEAT: Crusaders (42) v Blues (H), Highlanders (H)

SLIPPERY DIP: Highlanders (42) v Waratahs (A), Crusaders (A)

VULNERABLE: Hurricanes (41) v Chiefs (A), Bye

LOOKING GOOD: Brumbies (40) v Bye, Force (H)

****

NEAR MISS: Force (36) v Reds (H), Brumbies (A)

NEAR MISS: Blues (36) v Crusaders (A), Chiefs (H)

SIXTH BY A WHISKER: Chiefs (36) v Hurricanes (H), Blues (A)

Originally published as Queensland Reds keen to fulfil spoiler role in closing games with Force and Waratahs