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Reds name team to crash Chiefs' playoff party in Hamilton
By Ned Lester
The Reds are up for the challenge of facing the Chiefs in a quarter-final contest in Hamilton, with confidence built from recent notable wins.
Les Kiss has named a balanced team for the knockout clash, with size up front to challenge the Chiefs pack and dynamism aplenty across the backline.
Still, the team weren't shying away from the difficulty of the task at hand.
“Finals footy…it’s exciting and a different beast. You’ve got to love it,” Kiss said
“Winning in Hamilton will be a difficult task. If we commit to playing our style, we’ve got a chance against a good Chiefs side.
“We have had some positive results against New Zealand teams this season. Of the three wins, one was crucially in Christchurch.
“That experience and what we’ve learnt in close matches will stand us in good stead but it doesn’t guarantee you anything.
“We’ve got to be able to handle the purple patch they’ll have in the game and that’s going to take a massive collective effort.
“I’m more than comfortable we have the players to turn up for those special moments that come in games like this.”
Naming two young star playmakers in Tom Lynagh and Lawson Creighton in the matchday 23, Kiss was looking for impact from his hungry young talents.
“Tom’s finals experience last year pays forward for us. With Lawson from the bench, it’s a combo that’s worked well for us this season,” Kiss said.
“I’m very confident in the job they’ll do.”
Lock Seru Uru starts in his 50th game in Reds colours, partnering Ryan Smith in the second row. A couple of familiar faces return to Hamilton in the form of Alex Hodgman and Jeffery Toomaga-Allan, making up the front row along with hooker Matt Faessler.
The loose forward trio of Liam Wright, Fraser McReight and John Bryant will look to continue their dominant form.
Tate McDermott joins Lynagh in the starting halves, with Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook in midfield. It'll be a long night for Mac Grealy, Tim Ryan and Jock Campbell diffusing the threats of the Chiefs' back three, but the Reds trio pack plenty of X-factor of their own.
Reds team to play the Chiefs
- Alex Hodgman
- Matt Faessler
- Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
- Seru Uru
- Ryan Smith
- Liam Wright (cc)
- Fraser McReight
- John Bryant
- Tate McDermott (cc)
- Tom Lynagh
- Mac Grealy
- Hunter Paisami
- Josh Flook
- Tim Ryan
- Jock Campbell
Reserves
16. Josh Nasser
17. Sef Fa’agase
18. Zane Nonggorr
19. Connor Vest
20. Joe Brial
21. Kalani Thomas
22. Lawson Creighton
23. Taj Annan
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Latest Comments
Agreed. And I don't have much more to say on it, but I had been having one thought that sprang to mind at the tail of this discussion, and that is that it's not all about Razor.
It's not about any coach being "right". I think a lot of selections can become defense and while it doesn't really apply here I really enjoyed that Andy Farrell just gave into the public demands and changed out his team for the change that had been asked for. Like why not? This is the countries team, keep them engaged. The whole reason i've only just finished watching the game was because I wasn't interested in watching any of the selected players against a team like Italy (still actually enjoyed the first half with the contest Italy made of it).
Faz leap frogs a younger half back into start. He hands the golden child the game over July's golden child. He gives an old winger a go, a new flanker and hooker. None of them really did any good, certainly not enough to suggest they should have been promoted above others, but who cares? You won, and you gave the country what they wanted, that's all that matters after all. It's for the country, not the one in charge who thinks they have to have their own pied piper tune playing.
Go to commentsAs Naas would say... A win is a win.
It was not perfect and at times frustrating. All 3 tests were not the best by the Boks and they still found ways to win.
Rassie would have noted the sloppyness at times and silly mistakes. The 9's made amateur handling mistakes when clearing the rucks in all 3 tests.
Once the "stupid" mistakes are eliminated, this Bok team will be very very hard to beat.
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