Higginbotham urging Reds to finish strongly
SCOTT Higginbotham is clear on his allegiances … he’s happy to back the Melbourne Rebels for the Super Rugby finals tomorrow but only after beating them tonight.
When you captain the Rebels during their tough, formative years (2013-15), it’s hard not to feel a twinge of support for all they have achieved in this 7-7 season. Those reflective moments can wait because he is Queensland skipper tonight when urging and inspiring an overdue win is all that matters at Suncorp Stadium.
“Squaring up with the Rebels at one win apiece for this season and winning an Aussie derby is our motivation, not stopping the Rebels from making finals,” Higginbotham said.
Just how much the Reds have advanced since the February opener against the Rebels in Melbourne is up for debate.
Higginbotham’s red card and a yellow for Lukhan Tui fed into that rollicking 45-19 win for the Rebels.
Just a week ago, the Reds were copping another big loss because two players were yellow carded.
“We were way too passive with our tackling against the Blues a week ago so our defence has to be fired up with the line-speed to pressure Michael Ruru and those around him,” Higginbotham said.
“That’s when we’ve played our best and the last two games of the season are absolutely games we want to win.”
Halfback Ruru has been in excellent form directing big ballrunners like lock Matt Philip.
It’s a method the Reds will turn on the Rebels if half Moses Sorovi’s passing game is organised.
No.8 Higginbotham played 45 times for the Rebels when he was in Melbourne.
“Yeah, I’ll be behind the Rebels making the finals for the first time but not by beating us.”