Queensland Reds skipper James Horwill says he hasn’t needed to emphasise the importance of Saturday’s Super Rugby clash against the Melbourne Rebels because the team’s scenario is self-evident.
The Reds know a win is all but necessary to keep their finals hopes going following a disappointing tour of South Africa, where just one bonus point was earned and one try scored in two matches.
It means the Reds lie fifth with just three Australian rounds remaining as they take on an improving Rebels outfit seeking a club-record third-straight win.
Horwill says he hasn’t delivered a rev-up ahead of the crucial fixture, with most well aware of the scenario immediately following last weekend’s loss to the Stormers in Cape Town.
“We’re confident if we just continue to do what we do and get the detail right, that’s probably one of the things that has been lacking is a little bit of detail around our attack,” Horwill said.
“If we can do that then we feel we can get the job done that we need to.”
The one-time free-scoring Reds have managed just six tries in their past five matches, including four in one half against the Sharks.
It seems opponents have discovered how to shut down dangermen Will Genia and Quade Cooper, with little other options becoming apparent for the Reds.
Horwill is confident Cooper’s surprise omission from the 25-man preliminary Wallabies squad to play the British and Irish Lions has had no effect on his determination to succeed with the Reds and that the five-eighth still has a huge role to play in the Reds fortunes.
“He’s been excellent for us, I can’t speak highly enough of the way Quade’s gone about his work,” he said.
“He wants this team to go well and that’s something I’ve been really, really pleased with.
“He’s a very competitive person and he wants to win at every chance and he wants this team to keep winning.”