Rebels bank on experience against rookie Reds

Dane Haylett-Petty is hoping his Test experience can play a critical role against the Reds rookies in the Super Rugby AU qualifying final

Rebels captain and fullback Dane Haylett-Petty is part of an experienced spine in the Melbourne team Picture: Getty Images

He showed it last weekend to get the Melbourne comeback underway against the Force and now Rebels captain Dane Haylett-Petty is hoping his Test experience and that of other senior players can play a defining role against the Queensland Reds rookies in the Super Rugby AU qualifying final at Suncorp Stadium.

The Force was leading by 10 points with only 21 minutes remaining when centre Kyle Godwin launched a clearing kick deep downfield. Haylett-Petty fielded it, sized up his options, then ran a brilliant line to link with winger Marika Koroibete and Reece Hodge, the three Wallabies each touching the ball twice before Koroibete put his captain away for a crucial try.

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Throw in the steadying influence of Wallabies five-eighth Matt Toomua and the leadership of Test forwards Isi Naisarani fellow backrower Richard Hardwick, second-rower Matt Philip and hooker Jordan Uelese and the Rebels have a solid core of experienced players in the spine of the team.

“I think it is always handy having some experience,” said Haylett-Petty. “To be honest, looking at that Reds team I can’t believe many of them have played any finals footy. Having already played in a do-or-die game, it suits us quite well. Experience is going to be really important.”

Take out winger Chris Feauai-Sautia, who was a member of the Reds squad back in 2012 and 2013, when they made the finals, and loosehead JP Smith who gained finals experience in his two years at the Brumbies, and none of the Queensland side has any history of playing at the business end of the season.

Fortunately, their coach does. As Reds number eight Harry Wilson explained, Brad Thorn pretty much has had all the experience that both rugby codes have to offer of high pressure matches – World Cup finals, Super Rugby finals, State of Origin contests and NRL grand finals. He has played in them all, winning just about everything.

So while his playing roster might be almost uniformly young, Thorn is well aware they have receptive ears to take in all the advice he is capable of giving. “Prepare more, prepare better and make sure you have no regrets,” said Wilson, summarising the coach’s message.

Tuesday training sessions are intense as a matter of course but the Reds especially threw themselves into yesterday’s hitout at Ballymore. “We didn’t leave anything out there because we don’t want any regret after the game,” he said.

Both sides are excited by the prospect of Suncorp Stadium being filled with at least 20,000 Queenslanders on Saturday night, double the crowd that witnessed the Reds’ 26-7 victory over the Brumbies last weekend. It is understandable that Thorn’s side would want as large and parochial a crowd as possible but even the Rebels are happy at the thought of playing in front of packed stands.

“I think the more the merrier, to be honest,” said Haylett-Petty. “Suncorp, for a lot of us, is one of our favourite ground. It’s an amazing rugby ground and great atmosphere and it would be great to have fans back in the stadium, even if they are cheering for the Reds. We’re more than happy for that.”

It seems like there will be minimal changes in both sides following last weekend’s victories. Haylett-Petty indicated that Campbell Magnay was looming as a member of the match day 23, and certainly he would add to the size and physicality of the Rebels out wide. Tighthead Pone Fa’amausilii, who missed the Force match after straining his hamstring executing a most un-prop-like manoeuvre – breaking the line and then chipping and chasing – is likely to be available for selection but whether coach Dave Wessels calls on him for a match of this importance remains to be seen.

The Reds, meanwhile, are likely to welcome back reserve hooker Alex Mafi who will be celebrating his 50th Super Rugby cap. In terms of general play, he offers the Queensland side so much but is throwing has added a harem-scarem element to their lineout and it will be fascinating to see whether he has been able to clean up on this core skill.

Reserve prop Ruan Smith, back at the Reds on an injury replacement contract, missed Monday’s light session because he was feeling unwell but after being cleared by a COVID-19 test, he was able to rejoin the team on Tuesday.