Reds v Waratahs Super Rugby clash has all the ingredients for fireworks

A TEAM backed into a corner, a pack of disgruntled retired Reds and a confident Waratahs XV have set the scene for an explosive Super Rugby clash.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 05: James Slipper and Curtis Browning of the Reds look on during the round 18 Super Rugby match between the Western Force and the Queensland Reds at nib Stadium on July 5, 2014 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

A TEAM backed into a corner, a pack of disgruntled retired Reds and a confident Waratahs XV massing at the border. Saturday’s interstate Super Rugby climax has everything it needs to ignite.

The only greater surprise than the public baking of the Reds by Queensland rugby great Stan Pilecki yesterday was that it had not happened earlier than the team’s sloppy loss to the Western Force last Saturday.

A firecracker had been a long time coming, and if ­Pilecki, capped 122 times in the front row for Queensland, wanted a whiff of defiance, he got one from Reds prop James Slipper, who yesterday returned fire at the team’s critics.

Slipper also lit the fuse for a potentially volatile local derby at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night by voicing his disapproval of anything blue.

“We understand they’ve had a really good year and are deservingly at the top of the table,” Slipper said of the NSW Waratahs.

“I’m taking nothing away from that, but I just don’t like seeing NSW win anything, in any sport.’’

Pilecki fronted up at Reds training yesterday, just hours after accusing this generation of Queenslanders of not having a go against the Force.

So too did a parade of proud Queensland rugby servants including Mark Loane, Jeff Miller, Tony Shaw, Paul Carozza, Kev Crowe and Bruce Brown.

Not all agreed with Pilecki, but the high expectations of the former greats were met with an impassioned retort from Slipper.

“To question our effort and our motivation and will to play for the Reds jersey is pretty upsetting,” Slipper said.

“I’ve heard some of the comments, from people I aspire to be and look up to. It’s disappointing.

“It seems everyone has a go at you while you’re down.’’

Slipper cited halfback Nick Frisby playing most of the second half with a broken jaw and skipper James Horwill spilling blood for the team as evidence the Reds had not given up.

Frisby will miss the interstate clash, leaving coach Richard Graham searching for his third halfback after Will Genia’s season-ending ankle injury.

Ben Lucas is expected to slot into the vacant halfback jumper. Coach Richard Graham could, however, inflate the resume of Australian under-20 squad member Scott Gale.

Originally published as Reds v Waratahs Super Rugby clash has all the ingredients for fireworks