Reds taking care of business
According to coach Ewan McKenzie the Reds are intent on taking care of business no matter who plays against the Sharks in Brisbane this weekend.
The Queensland outfit won their last six games to claim the Australian conference at the last minute and earn a home play-off match, but will have to face up to the Sharks without star flyhalf Quade Cooper who was handed a one-week ban for a dangerous tackle on Berrick Barnes last week.
After delaying their decision on whether to appeal the ban the Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) decided on Thursday to accept the punishment in order to avoid further disruption to the team's title defence.
QRU Chairman Rod McCall and CEO Jim Carmichael believe there is now insufficient time to lodge an appeal after receiving transcripts of the hearing on Thursday.
"We initially anticipated we would gain a better understanding of the decision by the Judicial Officer though obtaining the full SANZAR transcripts,"Carmichael said.
"However, they failed to reveal any further detail or clarification on why the judgement was made and the delay in receiving these documents has made it near impossible to mount an appeal," he added.
McKenzie explained that despite the disruption the defending champions are focused on the task of taking down the Sharks at Suncorp Stadium this weekend
He told AAP: "It's not just about the tackle, there are other things at play. From a business point of view we feel pretty strongly about it.
"To be honest the business is running that side of it. We are getting on with the Sharks and we've asked the players to really concentrate on that," he said.
The Reds mentor said that although to lose Cooper would be a major blow, he is confidence that the team will be able to adapt and overcome the challenge.
"No doubt Quade gives us a lot but we have had to deal without him for two-thirds of the season so we have had to adapt and overcome – we will continue to do that," he said.
"We get on with the next guy and back him to do it – that's the culture of this team," he said.
The Reds staged an impressive turnaround this season to put themselves in this position, and will be keen to take advantage of the momentum they have built up towards the business end of the competition.
McKenzie said that their loss to the Sharks in Round Four had been particularly difficult to deal with as they had built up a commanding early lead, and cited his team's pride as the key to turning things around and storming into the play-offs.
"We didn't finish it off the last time against them but it is more about us than them.
"We thought we were capable of winning it. We got out of the blocks, had a good strategy and it didn't happen – it sticks in our craw a bit.
"There were periods there where we weren't the Reds we wanted people to know. We are quite keen to atone for that. A win against the Sharks would certainly be a good tonic.
You've got to remember the history of this team. Three years ago we could barely beat anyone. Now we are …a proud side," he explained.
The Reds will announce their team on Friday, with Ben Lucas the favourite to take the No.10 jersey in Cooper's absence.
