Queensland Reds must reverse horror derby record to reach Super Rugby finals

QUEENSLAND don’t even need to beat a Kiwi rival to reach the finals as long as they crunch the right results in their local derbies. Unfortunately, there lies the problem, writes Jim Tucker.

Scott Higginbotham is shown red.

WITH the way that Super Rugby has been rewired, the Queensland Reds don’t even need to upset a Kiwi rival to reach the finals as long as they crunch the right results in their local derbies.

Unfortunately, there lies the problem.

Dropping last Friday’s opening match against the Melbourne Rebels means the season is already at a critical junction with the ACT Brumbies headed to Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

Beating a rival in the Australian Conference almost carries a double-points value and dropping one goes in reverse at the same speed.

Skipper Scott Higginbotham is shown red during the loss to the Rebels.

Over 2016 (0-6) and 2017 (2-4), the Reds won just two of their 12 derbies against the rivals they should know most about.

There are eight derbies on the table this season so the Reds could conceivably win eight-of-eight, pick up three wins against their four South African opponents and lose by 30 to every Kiwi rival and still claim the Australian Conference with 11 wins.

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That fantasy formula has been eroded already. No game will be a gimme now Japan’s Sunwolves, under shrewd Kiwi coach Jamie Joseph, have shown their improved mettle by leading the Brumbies at halftime in Tokyo before bowing out 32-25 on Saturday.

The 45-19 tumble to the Rebels wasn’t a complete wipe-out for the Reds.

The Reds scrum was impressive, even when winger Chris Feauai-Sautia was a fill-in flanker, the attitude to keep tackling was strong, debutant backrower Liam Wright showed a bit, lock Izack Rodda will build on his encouraging 48-minute comeback from shoulder surgery and there was a willingness in attack.

The Reds started strongly against the Rebels.

“I saw some character and fight and I liked that but it sucks that we lost and I’m not going to cover over that,” coach Brad Thorn said.

It’s early days but the Reds have a lot to tidy up to match the Brumbies.

Three of the four Australian sides opened with victories. There were few rounds like that last year so celebrate the Brumbies win from behind, the highest score posted by the Rebels after going 1-14 last year and a thrilling NSW Waratahs victory on the bell over the Stormers.

Some things don’t change with the Kiwis setting the pace. The 4.35pm Friday night TV game from New Zealand is invariably brilliant fare and the standard of skills to the nine-try opener between the Blues and Highlanders was superb.

Originally published as Queensland Reds must reverse horror derby record to reach Super Rugby finals