Waratahs and Reds have chance to lift the gloom over Australian rugby

The Reds and the Waratahs can show fans the game of rugby still has some relevance.

In the current instability that has engulfed Australian rugby union the clash tonight at Suncorp ­Stadium in Brisbane between the Reds and Waratahs is the perfect opportunity for Australia’s two traditional rivals to show fans the game of rugby still has some ­relevance.

Much of the conjecture over the last two months has been around the Western Force and the Melbourne Rebels, with the Brumbies also coming under scrutiny, but the time has come for our so called powerhouses to show some gumption and play rugby that will lift all our hopes.

Obviously my words are easier said than done when you consider that the Reds and Waratahs have each only won two out of their eight matches so far this year, which is totally unacceptable and helping lower people’s perception of our great game right now.

The Waratahs style of rugby is sadly declining under coach Daryl Gibson, although in a team game the captain Michael Hooper and players must also put their hands up and accept much of the blame being thrown at them from every angle.

And although many Reds fans will feel that the Tahs will come out firing tonight after the Kings debacle last weekend, I doubt that they have the game plan and ­approach to cause too much trouble for the Reds because they are showing they lack the skills and commitment to go all the way.

The return of Dean Mumm into the lock position will help the Waratahs’ lineout because he has upfront experience, although he won’t be their saviour because it takes 15 players to win a game of rugby.

And are we witnessing the first signs of panic from Gibson, dropping up and coming halfback Jake Gordon for the Wallabies incumbent No 9 Nick Phipps?

The Waratahs have a mixture of experience and youth in the side at the moment and in the amateur days coaches had more patience, allowing the younger players to develop gradually. But in the ­modern game they have to hit the ground running without excuses and this is where the Reds have the advantage.

Although it could also be said that the senior players should also lift their game to make it a tad ­easier for the rising stars but right now it looks like it is every man for himself and that is why the Waratahs are becoming more dysfunctional, rather than a cohesive unit, because under pressure they quickly fall apart.

For the Reds, Leroy Houston and Campbell Magnay will add some punch to an underperforming Reds bench while Samu Kerevi retains the captaincy despite the return of Stephen Moore at ­hooker in the starting line-up.

This is the right move from Reds coach Nick Stiles as he begins to think to the future and having the Wallabies captain acting as a mentor, Kerevi will develop and mature much more quickly.

I don’t know Kerevi personally, but he appears to be quiet and ­unassuming and as long as this ­additional responsibility doesn’t affect the way he plays the Reds will benefit from his leadership ­because he is by nature a dominant player who has the ability inspire his teammates.

The most interesting aspect of tonight’s match will be the contest between the fullbacks, Israel Folau for the Tahs and the Reds’ Karmichael Hunt who is pushing hard for the Wallabies No 15 jersey.

Folau is under pressure from a couple of reputable former Australian coaches and he definitely needs to lift his game and get ­involved rather than wasting his time waiting for the opportunities to come to him.

Hunt on the other hand is involved in every Reds play and goes out of his way to be involved, which is what I hope Michael Cheika is looking for, making it easier for him to select Folau on the wing and potentially giving Hunt the glory that he is after.

I sincerely hope that Stiles and Gibson understand the scale of ­tonight’s match, not only for their own team’s chances of making the Super rugby playoffs but for ­promoting the game of rugby to Australian audiences.

If this traditional local derby is nothing more than a kick-fest or played without any real skill or flair, Australian rugby will ­continue to feel the heat and the Force and Rebels will rightly ask why they are facing the gallows rather than one or both of these two inept teams.