Ewen McKenzie has stressed the Queensland Reds are “not even close” to their best despite three straight wins and has demanded better finishing to be a leading Super Rugby contender.
The Reds may have beaten NSW, the Hurricanes and Melbourne Rebels on the trot but they have consistently missed or messed up try-scoring chances which have denied them bonus points.
Coaching boss McKenzie on Thursday made three expected changes to his backline for Saturday night’s home clash with the Western Force, and their attack will be bolstered by the return of halfback general Will Genia from a knee reconstruction.
But Queensland are missing in-form strike weapon Digby Ioane (stood down) and fellow Wallabies winger Dom Shipperley (back).
The dual blow has opened the door for one-Test flyer Luke Morahan to make his first start of the year after being completely dumped from the 22 for the 23-13 win over the Rebels.
Although Ioane will be sorely missed, Morahan’s return could be good timing for a player rated highly by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
The 22-year-old’s speed immediately makes Quade Cooper’s wide passing game more dangerous.
“Luke is one of the best in sniffing out tries,” McKenzie said. “He’s always there getting the last pass and is good at reading those opportunities.”
While their defence has earned rave reviews, Queensland have shot themselves in the foot with poor finishing – highlighted by Jono Lance and Saia Faingaa botching tries against the Rebels.
“There was an easy two tries we didn’t take against the Rebels and with a bit more vision we could have got another two,” he said.
“That will come with some cohesion. I always say you build your attack and we’re still building that.”
Morahan believes Genia’s return will automatically lift the Reds’ attack.
“It gives us a lot of condidence,” he said. “He’s a world-class player and he runs our attack really well so him coming in will do wonders for us.”
force winless at Suncorp
Sias – tactical weapon, scoreboard pressure – expect part of the strategy – game plan
“He changes it but that doesn’t mean there’s good opportunities for us,” McKenzie said. “We see some great opportunities with him playing so that’s how we’ve analysed it.
“We know they’ve got various strengths and they did well in that environment against the Bulls.
“Hopefully the Suncorp environment is a bit more unfamiliar to him and something we can exploit.”
playing conditions – altitude kicks go longer
chasing best performance “not even close”
up and down with form and injuries
expect his best crack after missing out
Morahan
“It’s a credit to the depth we have here and guys are versatile and able to play in different positions
bitter pill to take? never easy – right call
Lance took op with both hands
haven’t played full 80 mins
WG:
give everyone a lift, trained well, slotted straight back in
Samo
One-Test Wallabies flyer Luke Morahan has been recalled to the Queensland Reds side in one of three backline changes for Saturday night’s Super Rugby clash with the Western Force.
Morahan was dumped from the Reds 22 for last weekend’s 23-13 win over the Melbourne Rebels but will make his first run-on start of the year with wingers Digby Ioane (stood down) and Dom Shipperley (back) unavailable.
Boom teenager Chris Feauai-Sautia will start on the left wing while Morahan, who started at fullback in last year’s first Test against Scotland, will be on the right at Suncorp Stadium.
As expected, Wallabies halfback Will Genia will make his return from a knee reconstruction at halfback and is set to play the first half before handing the captaincy reins back to James Slipper.
Young No.9 Nick Frisby has kept his spot in the 22 ahead of Ben Lucas and will play the second half following his stand-out display against the Rebels.
Queensland had initially dropped veteran lock Adam Wallace-Harrison from the bench but he was hastily reinstated on Thursday morning after Radike Samo injured his knee at training.
Back-rower Jarrad Butler has been added to the bench in anticipation of a fierce breakdown contest with the Force.
Lucas – fit Frisby timely performance
AWH – managing knees
“the Force have always trad been a fierce team at the breakdown
invested in extra back-rower – tactical decision for Samo
Queensland Reds: Jono Lance, Luke Morahan, Anthony Faingaa, Ben Tapuai, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Ed Quirk, Ed O’Donoghue, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Saia Faingaa, Greg Holmes. Res: James Hanson, Albert Anae, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Jarrad Butler, Nick Frisby, Mike Harris, Aidan Toua.
AAP jsm/
It was a big ask, throwing him into his first match for us against a side like the Bulls, but I put it to him that no one in our team came close to matching his experience of playing the Bulls and he really responded well to that,” said Foley yesterday.