Reds determined to put Crusaders off game
LUKHAN Salakaia-Loto has been told to be at his disruptive, wrecking-ball best in his new backrow role to knock the Crusaders out of their winning rhythm at Suncorp Stadium.
It will take far more than one aggressive 116kg figure acting on those instructions to create a boilover for the Queensland Reds tomorrow.
You have to like this change-up because it is part of a mass pact to play an aggressive, hustling game to jolt the fluency of a side that has won 17 games in a row.
Now freed of the more technical focus of playing lock, Salakaia-Loto can be more of the “hit hard, run hard” merchant he relishes being in his favourite No.6 position.
“The Crusaders are a very consistent team into their systems and they have a clear understanding of what they are doing so we need to disrupt their rhythm and flow,” backs coach Jim McKay said.
It is a flow which generated an eye-popping 90 tries in the run to last year’s title so you sit on your heels and watch them play at your peril.
Vulnerable is not a word you use for the Crusaders but the All Blacks’ rest policy has stripped Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Ryan Crotty and Codie Taylor from their visiting team.
Centre Jack Goodhue, flyhalf Richie Mo’unga, lock Scott Barrett, flanker captain Matt Todd and front-row strong men Owen Franks and Joe Moody are still five-star Test quality.
McKay was a key figure in the Reds’ backroom in 2010-11 when three straight wins were hatched over the Crusaders.
It is the classic 2010 upset that McKay has seized on this week, not so much the 41-20 scoreline but the opportunity tomorrow night offers.
“This is a great opportunity at our home ground so we’re going for it,” McKay said.
“That means putting in all the things we can control like working hard off the ball, big defence, attitude, improvements on loose kicks and other things.”