Aussie teams face 'line in the sand' moment
Former Queensland Reds captain James Horwill views their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash with New Zealand champions the Crusaders as a line-in-the-sand moment for the code in Australia.
Horwill and his 2010 teammates celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their Super Rugby title – won against the Crusaders – in Brisbane on Friday.
The two sides will meet again at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday as champions of their respective domestic competitions.
But after a 5-0 start for New Zealand teams over Australian rivals in last week’s opening round their is much at stake, the former Wallabies skipper said.
“The positivity around Australian rugby is really pleasing, the most positive I’ve seen it in years,” he said.
“We know one thing about Australian sports and Queensland sports, it’s that people love winners.
“To build on that momentum there’s no better statement to make than to beat arguably the greatest ever provincial side in world rugby.”
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Seven Wallabies will return to the Reds’ starting line-up while Suliasi Vunivalu, who scored twice off the bench in his injury comeback last week, will start and push Wallabies winger Filipo Daugunu to the pine.
Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight will give the pack more potency while Hunter Paisami returns from injury and Tate McDermott (rested) add spark to the Reds’ backline.
With Jordan Petaia (thigh) on the sidelines co-captain James O’Connor admits it’s as close to full strength as the Reds have been all season.
“They’ve set the benchmark for 15 years. Let’s see what we can do,” he said of the Crusaders.
“There’s a lot to prove and we enjoy that. We’ve taken the first step and there’s many to go.”
Meanwhile Lonergan brothers Ryan and Lachlan will be the first to start together for the Brumbies in a Super Rugby fixture, against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday.
Set to start at hooker, Lachlan is the only change to the starting unit that came within two points of the Super Rugby Aotearoa champions the Crusaders last week.
The pair both made their Brumbies debuts at the ground, Ryan in 2017 and Lachlan in last year’s 26-14 win before the traditional Super Rugby season was abandoned.
“It’s a great story … they’re both great young men who come from a great family who grew up supporting the Brumbies,” coach Dan McKellar said.
“And now they get a chance to pull on the jersey together at the place they made their debuts. It’s really special.”
Still seeking their first win of the season, the Waratahs will welcome firebrand back row forward Jack Dempsey back from a foot injury to face the Blues at Eden Park.
Ben Donaldson retains the No.10 ahead of Will Harrison while winger James Turner – Shute Shield’s leading try-scorer last season – has rocketed into the starting side at the expense of Mark Nawaqanitawase after being called into the squad last week.
