Consistency the target for QR Reds against Force on “kids free” Sunday at Suncorp
The QR Reds will be aiming for game-to-game consistency of effort and execution when they take on the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow afternoon in a “kids free” Investec Bank Super 14 match that’s crucial to both sides.
The Reds need a good win to stay in touch with the competition leaders as they head towards next week’s bye, while the Force are desperate to earn their first competition points after losing their first three games.
Sunday's match will give the Reds a second opportunity this year to achieve one of their season goals: posting consecutive wins for the first time since April 2006.
The Reds fell short in their first attempt for 2010 when they stumbled in their back to Ballymore match against the Blues, a week after their impressive win over perennial finalists the Crusaders.
Last week the Reds staged an against-the-odds 23-18 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton – only their second victory in New Zealand since 2005 – despite conceding three early tries to trail 15-0 after 20 minutes.
They have again set their sights on that second successive win to demonstrate consistency and lift spirits further going into the bye and a three game tour of South Africa, where they meet the Cheetahs, Sharks and Lions.
In the brief history of matches between these two sides, neither has been able to win away from home. The head-to-head record stands at two wins apiece, although the Force wins have been by bigger margins.
The Reds won 29-18 and 29-12 in 2006 and 2008 at Suncorp Stadium, while the Force beat the Queenslanders 38-3 in 2007 and 39-7 last season.
Sunday is Junior Day at Suncorp Stadium and there are plenty of kid-friendly pre-match activities planned after gates open at 2pm. There is also a schoolboy curtain raiser between St Paul's and Ormiston College at 2.30pm and a Junior Club march-past before the main game, which kicks off at 4.30pm.
Queensland Rugby and St. George Bank are also using Junior Day to help raise funds for the St George Foundation which helps under privileged kids in Queensland and around Australia.
St. George Bank will donate money for every point the Reds score this weekend and it will go straight to the Foundation. Reds tries are worth $1,500, conversions $200, penalty goals and drop goals $500 each.
Also thanks to St. George Bank, ticket buying adults can get a kid’s ticket free by buying online through Ticketek.com.au or on presentation of a special match coupon available at the Reds website www.redsrugby.com.au when purchasing from a Ticketek outlet. Full terms and conditions available at redsrugby.com.au
Pre-purchased tickets are also a lower price than when bought at the gate and include free public transport to and from the game.
Teams (from fullback):
QR Reds: Peter Hynes, Luke Morahan, Digby Ioane, Anthony Faingaa, Brando Va’aulu, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Leroy Houston, Daniel Braid, Scott Higginbotham, Van Humphries, Rob Simmons, Laurie Weeks, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley. Reserves: Sean Hardman, Greg Holmes, Adam Byrnes, Jake Schatz, Ben Lucas, Morgan Turinui, Will Chambers.
Western Force: Dane Haylett-Petty, Scott Staniforth, Ryan Cross, James O’Connor, Nick Cummins, David Hill, Brett Sheehan, Richard Stanford, Matt Hodgson, Ben McCalman, Nathan Sharpe (c), Sam Wykes, Tim Fairbrother, Ryan Tyrrell, Nic Henderson. Reserves: Pek Cowan, Matt Dunning, Tom Hockings, Jono Jenkins, Chris O’Young, Sam Harris, Mitch Inman
Referee: Ian Smith
