Fearless ruck warrior Beau Robinson must defy a worsening foot problem to lead Queensland’s pack into a brutal breakdown battle with the Highlanders on Friday night that could define their Super Rugby season.
Robinson has carried a foot injury since May and wears a moonboot off the field to guard against a stress fracture but the defending champions have backed the flanker to fill the void left by young gun Liam Gill at Suncorp Stadium.
The in-form Gill was ruled out with a strained hamstring of the must-win match against the abrasive Kiwis who pride themselves on their counter-rucking and ferocity at the tackle contest.
However, Reds captain Will Genia has complete faith that Robinson, Queensland’s rags-to-riches fairytale story in their charge to the 2011 title, will impress against the Highlanders’ dangerous back-row of Adam Thomson, James Haskell and Nasi Manu.
“Beau has been outstanding every single time he’s played in that No.7 jersey,” Genia said on Thursday.
“It’s only recently that Liam has overtaken him so he’ll get the job done – he’ll do as good a job as what Liam has been doing.”
Genia admitted the Reds had placed a huge emphasis on nullifying the Highlanders’ ruck work in their preparations and warned playmaker Quade Cooper would struggle to spark their backline if the visitors’ big pack, hungry to finish their season with a bang, has its way.
“They’re very good at reading when to flood the breakdown,” he said.
“It’s just about being accurate … and it’s the old one bullet, one kill – where you take out one person with one of your own.
“We have to make sure we really front up in that area to give ourselves the chance to play some footy.”
The seventh-placed Reds will again be without Wallabies winger Digby Ioane due to pneumonia but coach Ewen McKenzie expects he and Gill will be fit to play arch-rivals NSW in next week’s final round.
Lessening the impact of Ioane’s loss has been exciting three-quarter Chris F’Sautia’s surprisingly-fast recovery from a shoulder injury.
“He’s unbelievable,” Genia said of the 18-year-old. “I’m in awe every time I see him at training and out on the field.
“For someone so young that has his strength, his ability and skill … I’m excited even having the opportunity to play with him.”
The Highlanders have chosen a new halves combination, robbing fans of a clash between likely Bledisloe Cup halfback rivals Genia and Aaron Smith.
Wallabies centre Ben Tapuai returns from a broken collarbone to sit on the bench alongside Wellington-born back-rower Jarrad Butler who only joined the Reds squad last week.