The sliding Queensland Reds have reshaped their outlook with Wallaby backrower Harry Wilson insisting “no one wants to face us in the quarter-finals.”
The Reds can still be the most dangerous wildcard of the four finals teams scheduled to play on the road now the business end of Super Rugby Pacific is fast approaching.
Wilson’s words at Ballymore today will hold little substance unless the Reds bounce back with a strong win over last-placed Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
The Reds entered the trans-Tasman phase of the competition in third spot but have slipped to seventh with four straight losses to Kiwi rivals.
The Reds will field a strong side against Moana Pasifika even without Wallaby centre Hunter Paisami (collarbone) and prop weapon Taniela Tupou (calf). Key No.8 Wilson (head knock), flanker Fraser McReight (flu) and hooker Richie Asiata (flu) are all set to return to a side with James O’Connor at the helm.
Wilson is the Reds’ No.1 ball-carrier and ground-gainer and has bounced back from his worrying concussion when tackled head-first into the turf against the Highlanders.
“Obviously, it was a pretty big knock but once I got into the sheds I was pretty good. I’ve got full memory from it all and felt ready to go last week but it was thought a week off was better for me,” Wilson said.
“We haven’t won four games in a row. I guess for us there have been improvements in certain areas and we are all in a pretty good head space.
“Confidence is awesome going into finals. We know we have to get a win this round and be showing improvement
“Once we’re in the finals, it’s a matter of winning the big moments there. No one wants to face us in the quarter-finals I know that.”
That’s all fine to say.
No team in the comp wants to play the Reds when they are in the mood of their opening 30 minutes against the Hurricanes (17-0) or Highlanders (12-0) when the Reds were cutting the line, spearing over for lineout drive tries, making forceful tackles or Josh Flook was soaring for kick-catch tries.
The same goes for bursts against the Chiefs or those moments when winger Suliasi Vunivalu surged back to form against the Blues.
The blunt fact is all teams would happily face the Reds away from those excellent but infrequent periods.
Wilson admitted coach Brad Thorn and the team leadership had once again stressed the importance of the money minutes either side of half-time.
“We’ve played some really good footy over the past month but we’ve pretty much lost matches in that the time before and just after half-time,” Wilson said.
“This week has been our biggest focus on that 15-minute period. We’ve changed up little things at training to get better there.”
READ MORE:
RE-SIGN: White re-signs with Brumbies
FIGHTBACK: Brumbies looking for response
TOTW: Leota, Vunivalu shine
Having Vunivalu back in form with his running and support game is huge for the Reds’ strike power.
“That game on the weekend was awesome and it will be so beneficial for Suli,” Wilson warned.
“After being out for so long (with major hamstring issues), it takes a while to get back in the groove. We all saw on the weekend what sort of X-factor he adds to our team.
“Getting his hands on the ball can change games.”
