Reds want Origin intensity
Queensland hoping to channel the Maroons
RUGBY UNION: Reds stand-in captain Samu Kerevi wants his side to play the NSW Waratahs with the passion the Queensland Maroons show in rugby league’s State of Origin.
Kerevi, who will serve as Reds captain for the rest of the season in James Slipper’s absence through injury, wants to start a long period of Super Rugby dominance over the Tahs tonight.
He said he was inspired by the Maroons’ uncompromising attitude and their winning streak over the NSW Blues.
The Waratahs are on a six-match winning streak against the Reds.
“That eight-year (NSW Origin) drought was something I was really happy about,” Kerevi said yesterday.
“They dominated for 10 years in State of Origin and we want to build that kind of mentality here in union.
“I wanted (NSW) to lose. We always hated NSW.
“Personally, I haven’t beaten NSW and it’s something I really want to change.”
The Fiji-born Kerevi said he always supported the Maroons and his heroes included Fijian flyer Lote
Tuqiri, as well as Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau, who will face each other tonight.
Super Rugby history suggests if the Reds end their losing streak tonight, momentum in the rivalry will swing their way.
The Reds were undefeated in their first nine matches against the Waratahs in Super Rugby since 1996.
NSW then won the next seven in a row before Queensland had a five-match winning run, with their last victory coming in July 2013.
Both teams desperately need a win to stay in the
hunt for an automatic finals berth, which goes to the winners of the struggling Australian conference.
Kerevi is wary of NSW’s response after its embarrassing loss to the Southern Kings last week.
“I think it definitely makes them unpredictable,” Kerevi said.
“They’ll come out with a lot of heart wanting to change the result from last week. It’s going to be a tough game. We’re not taking them lightly.”
Kerevi said it was a “massive blessing” to skipper the Reds for the rest of the season, with the blessing of coach Nick Stiles and returning Wallabies captain Stephen Moore.
“I still do the same things I do every week, I prepare the same way, but I’ve just got that ‘C’ next to my name,” he said.
Moore returns to the starting side at hooker in place of Alex Mafi.
Wallabies Nick Phipps, Dean Mumm and Sekope Kepu return for the Waratahs.