Super hard for Reds as quality of rivals rises

THE streamlined Super Rugby schedule for next season has jumped in quality yet it packs a punch of reality for the poorly performed Queensland Reds.

Cutting clubs to create a more coherent 15-team competition in a three-conference format also means three of the easier opponents for the Reds no longer exist.

The Reds have won just 11 matches over the past three seasons and five of those against clubs that have been chopped – Cheetahs (two), Western Force (two) and Southern Kings (one).

The 2018 draw released yesterday included some notable highlights.

The Reds’ first home game against the Brumbies on March 2 is one of three Friday night games among the eight clashes at Suncorp Stadium.

The traditional interstate clash against the NSW Waratahs has been restore to homeand-away status after last year’s mutated draw for 18 teams dictated just one.

The Reds will also make their first visit to Japan since 2006 to tackle the Sunwolves in Tokyo on May 12.

The Highlanders and Chiefs are the Kiwi visitors but there is no clash against the champion Crusaders.

“The return of home-andaway derbies and eight home games are a big positive from the Reds’ perspective,” QRU chief Richard Barker said.

Ending speculation around the head coach would be helpful. Barker yesterday could still offer no comment on whether Nick Stiles would be at the helm next year despite a season review being completed weeks ago.