Reds rule out dead rubber against Brumbies
REDS utility back Bryce Hegarty has stressed the importance of Queensland landing a psychological blow on the Brumbies on Saturday night ahead of a potential Super Rugby AU final between the teams.
With one round of the regular season remaining, the Brumbies have already sealed top spot, a spot in the final and hosting rights to the decider.
The Reds are certain to finish second on the ladder, which will earn them a home semi-final against either the Waratahs or Rebels.
Freshened by a weekend bye, the Reds are treating Saturday’s Suncorp Stadium battle with the Brumbies as anything but a dead rubber.
The sides met on August 1 at GIO Stadium, with the Brumbies kicking a penalty after the siren to win 22-20. It’s a loss the Reds haven’t forgotten.
“They beat us by two points down in Canberra right on the buzzer, so this is an opportunity for us to play them up in Queensland where we’ve been undefeated this season,” Hegarty said. “Psychologically and mentally there are so many aspects of football that people underestimate.
“That’s something we’ll really focus on this weekend, and take that moving forward.”
The Reds will also have an eye on Saturday’s early game between the Rebels and the last-placed Force.
With the Waratahs having the bye this weekend, the Rebels have the chance to move ahead of them on the ladder and qualify for a semifinal against Queensland.
“They (the Rebels and the Waratahs) are quite different teams,” Hegarty said. “Whoever we come up against we’ll be excited for and we’ll prepare for that after this weekend.”
The Reds and Brumbies will wear special jerseys on Saturday in honour of Queensland Rugby Union’s ninth annual Indigenous Round.