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Reds name team to crash Chiefs' playoff party in Hamilton

Reds celebrate a Suliasi Vunivalu try after the final siren during the round nine Super Rugby Pacific match between Queensland Reds and Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium, on April 19, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

The Reds are up for the challenge of facing the Chiefs in a quarter-final contest in Hamilton, with confidence built from recent notable wins.

Les Kiss has named a balanced team for the knockout clash, with size up front to challenge the Chiefs pack and dynamism aplenty across the backline.

Still, the team weren’t shying away from the difficulty of the task at hand.

“Finals footy…it’s exciting and a different beast. You’ve got to love it,” Kiss said

“Winning in Hamilton will be a difficult task. If we commit to playing our style, we’ve got a chance against a good Chiefs side.

“We have had some positive results against New Zealand teams this season. Of the three wins, one was crucially in Christchurch.

“That experience and what we’ve learnt in close matches will stand us in good stead but it doesn’t guarantee you anything.

“We’ve got to be able to handle the purple patch they’ll have in the game and that’s going to take a massive collective effort.

“I’m more than comfortable we have the players to turn up for those special moments that come in games like this.”

Naming two young star playmakers in Tom Lynagh and Lawson Creighton in the matchday 23, Kiss was looking for impact from his hungry young talents.

“Tom’s finals experience last year pays forward for us. With Lawson from the bench, it’s a combo that’s worked well for us this season,” Kiss said.

“I’m very confident in the job they’ll do.”

Lock Seru Uru starts in his 50th game in Reds colours, partnering Ryan Smith in the second row. A couple of familiar faces return to Hamilton in the form of Alex Hodgman and Jeffery Toomaga-Allan, making up the front row along with hooker Matt Faessler.

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The loose forward trio of Liam Wright, Fraser McReight and John Bryant will look to continue their dominant form.

Tate McDermott joins Lynagh in the starting halves, with Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook in midfield. It’ll be a long night for Mac Grealy, Tim Ryan and Jock Campbell diffusing the threats of the Chiefs’ back three, but the Reds trio pack plenty of X-factor of their own.

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      How would Super Rugby teams fare in the Champions Cup? | Aotearoa Rugby Pod

      The lads have plenty of big club games to react to this week after finals in Europe and Japan as well as some huge results in Super Rugby Pacific. We start by dissecting the games in Christchurch and Hamilton before casting an eye over the Champions Cup final.

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      Reds team to play the Chiefs 

      1. Alex Hodgman
      2. Matt Faessler
      3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
      4. Seru Uru
      5. Ryan Smith
      6. Liam Wright (cc)
      7. Fraser McReight
      8. John Bryant
      9. Tate McDermott (cc)
      10. Tom Lynagh
      11. Mac Grealy
      12. Hunter Paisami
      13. Josh Flook
      14. Tim Ryan
      15. Jock Campbell

      Reserves

      16. Josh Nasser
      17. Sef Fa’agase
      18. Zane Nonggorr
      19. Connor Vest
      20. Joe Brial
      21. Kalani Thomas
      22. Lawson Creighton
      23. Taj Annan

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      R
      RedWarriors 15 minutes ago
      The Springbok selection experiment is far from over

      SA and NZ were the main countries “Whining” about the draw that put SA/NZ/IRE/FRA all on the same side of the draw. Ireland, France and Scotland are well used to it. Most countries have come face to face with the biased draw and scheduling many times since the RWC was inaugurated in 1987.

      Everyone agreed the draw was a farce , but yes someone had to pox their way through and that was SA. You get to play a France team in the QF before they have a knock out win under their belt. You won as the inferior team, the world saw that. If the draw had been harder for SA and you were scheduled to play Scotland the week before then you were out.

      England were stronger for most of the match with a 9 point lead with 10 to go. They will be massively disapointed to lose from there especially with the non peanalty awarded at the end.

      Lastly, you needed a red card to beat NZ. 100%. Not in doubt. It was a 1 point game. You were losing without the red.

      SA beat what was in front of them. Not in doubt. That they were lucky is not in doubt either. That the draw made the win significantly easier for SA to get past the QF, is not in doubt either. You play France in the SF or final, you are losing badly.

      So well done on teh wins. But less stop with the ‘Are SA the greatest team in history” rubbish.

      ‘Butt hurt’? Thats an Americanism to imply homosexuality? On about raping women now lobbing homophobic comments. Some of you Saffers, past and present have a very very disturbing attitude…historically and present day.

      54 Go to comments
      N
      NB 2 hours ago
      Have England suddenly become a 'lucky' team?

      I think you need to look at some examples in order to get your facts straight.


      If you look at the second gif in the article https://imgur.com/a/6QNcVtB#NG27wFf , you can see that Scotland are running the shape I describe, and the ‘flat option’ does not actively impede a tackler so has no need to retreat.


      Ditto this one https://imgur.com/a/hNktXel#gbQSsT4 . There is no significant contact with a defender by the flat option, so why does it need to [over-]refereed?


      I feel you’re trying to address an issue that exists mostly in your own imagination, not one that exists out on the field of play.

      83 Go to comments
      LONG READ
      LONG READ The Springbok selection experiment is far from over The Springbok selection experiment is far from over
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