Reds gear up for grudge match
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The Reds face one of their most important games of the season this weekend even though the play-offs have already being decided for them and their opposition, the Waratahs.
The Reds have had a dismal season, sitting 12th on the log behind the Stormers who have four log points over them.
They would require a bonus point victory over the Waratahs this weekend, and need the Stormers to fail at gaining a single point to push them into 11th.
Over in Sydney, the Waratahs have secured top spot on the overall log with an emphatic 44-16 victory against the Highlanders last weekend.
They cannot be caught and have made sure of a home semifinal, and potentially a home Final.
With all this already decided, one could assume this match would hold little interest for both these teams, however in terms of rivalries, this is a big one.
Reds coach Richard Graham has made it clear that his team are still very focused on finishing strong on such an big occasion.
"It is a big game, the rivalry goes back 130 years, there is a long history," he said.
"The thing for us this weekend is that we put in a really good performance and that is certainly our focus."
The Waratahs performances running up to the play-offs have been impressive and have caused many people to sit up and take notice – including Graham.
"I think their performance [against the Highlanders] was a good indication of where they are at the moment, they are playing some good rugby," he said of his upcoming opposition.
"I think [their coach] Michael Cheika challenged them to finish strongly over the next few games.
"Given that they have secured a home semifinal and that they have a week off I am still expecting them to approach this with full intensity and wanting to go into the Finals with momentum.
Graham answered what many people were wondering with his own opinion on what Waratahs coach Cheika's thoughts of the dead-rubber match would be.
"I think their focus will be on wanting to take as much momentum into the Finals as they can," he continued.
"They have a week off which is guaranteed but if you rest players you lose momentum, that is two weeks off, so I expect them to bring a full side.
"We look forward to the contest on the weekend.
"There is a great rivalry that has been in place for a long time, so it is important that we put in a performance that we can be proud of.
"Playing at home in the last game of the season is something that we are looking forward to."
As the season draws to a close, many players are off to pursue a future outside of Super Rugby and the Reds are not exempt from this exodus.
Graham believes that the loyalty and pride the players have for the jersey may potentially inspire them to a match-winning performance.
"It is up to them to perform really well for their last time in the Reds jersey," Graham said of those departing players.
"Some guys have been here their whole career, some have been here for three or four years and I think as a show of goodwill and a show of mate-ship and unity, it is important that they finish the season strongly.
"There is a genuine desire to do that.
"Just because you go into a game as the favourites doesn't necessarily mean you go on to win that game.
"We have demonstrated through out the season that there are some really good periods of rugby, what is important for us is the challenge we will face against a very good side for 80 minutes on Saturday.
One big concern for the Reds will be the injury that scrumhalf Nick Frisby suffered, he broke his jaw against the Force on the weekend.
Initial hopes were that he would be able to take the field this weekend, but scans on Monday revealed the fracture, which will require surgery.
Frisby will be out for six weeks.
“It is disappointing to lose Frisby," Graham said of the injury to his second scrumhalf
"He has played some good rugby for us recently and it would have been beneficial to continue his partnership with Ben Lucas this weekend.
"Following surgery he’ll be out for at approximately six weeks.”
Frisby’s injury adds to a long list of squad members currently unavailable for selection, along with Quade Cooper (shoulder/hip), Blake Enever (bicep), Anthony Fainga’a (calf), Chris Feauai-Sautia (shoulder), Will Genia (ankle), Liam Gill (Australian Sevens duties), Ed Quirk (knee), Dom Shipperley (ankle) and Aidan Toua (pectoral).
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