Reds must keep the faith
Reds coach Richard Graham said that it is vital that his team respond positively to their defeat against the Hurricanes in Wellington.
The Queensland outfit were overhauled in the second half as the home side scored three tries to run away with the game.
The defeat leaves the Reds tied on log points with the Rebels at the bottom of the Australian conference, but Graham said that they cannot afford to let their heads drop ahead of their clash against the Blues who are yet to lose at Eden Park this season.
"We've got to continue to believe that we're a bloody good side capable of turning this around and gathering some momentum and posting a number of consecutive wins together," Graham said.
Graham said his side had entered the second half with confidence, but had put themselves under pressure down in the early stages of the second half.
"At half time, the playing group were buoyed by some very good aspects of our first half. We controlled possession well and it ultimately led to a try and a number of penalty goals," Graham said.
"The first seven minutes of the second half was chaotic and we struggled to gain shape and control, which they capitalised on," he explained.
The Reds coach said that his side had been in the game right until the end, but crucial errors at the death saw the Hurricanes get away from them.
"As was pretty consistent with the way the game had unfolded, with nine minutes to go we were just four points down and I felt we had the momentum to finish the game strongly. Unfortunately we made a few back-to-back errors which gave the Hurricanes momentum and allowed them to run away with it," he said.
Will Genia will receive scans in Auckland to confirm there is no damage to his ankle, but Reds medical staff were optimistic following the match.
