Reds V Highlanders Rd 17

This is a game where the visitors would like nothing better than to rain on the Reds' party and prevent them from making the finals.
The Highlanders put up a mighty battle against the Chiefs and only lost it close to the end - and a very intense game it was too, with the Highlanders knowing they had to win to stay in the mix, but with the Chiefs also knowing that they had the Crusaders breathing down their necks for leadership of the NZ chapter.
So will the likes of Andrew Hore, Adam Thomson, Hosea Gear, Aaron Smith et al cause mayhem at Suncorp fortress, or will the Reds, committed to maintaining their march to the finals, continue on their way?

This will a very tough one. Highlanders are brutal. I'd be stoked with a win - not even considering bonus points at the moment.

Sounds like CFS is out but Digby back and Taps on the bench?

I'll back the Reds in a see-sawing battle.

Hopefully high scoring because the Reds need 4 tries in this game.

Reds Highlanders games have been good matches in the past, I think this game will be no different. I think our team looks settled and relaxed. Also, I'm pretty confident at Suncorp these days.

We did get the 4 try bonus point against the table topping Chiefs at Suncorp so should be able to do it again.

Then again, would also be happy with a 1 point win..

I think any win this weekend will see the Reds move ahead of the Hurricanes on the table courtesy of having won more games.

Bonus point win would of course be better though to try and get clear of the Sharks too.

The Highlanders will be wanting to show everyone they were serious contenders. Jamie Joseph is gutted the team are out now. They will be bringing their A game and any reds supporters that hope that they will be going through the motions are going to be disappointed. I am picking the Clan for this one.

Mate, I would be quite worried about you if you didn't back your team! I think that the Highlanders are still mathematically still able to make the finals, but they would have to rely on a hell of a lot of results going their way. IIRC, the Clan were in the same position last year as well. They always seem to come out the blocks firing, but then drop away in the last half of the season.

Doesn't mean that this game will be easy for the Reds though. I think it will be a brutal encounter, as the Clan pack will really have a point to prove, and try and prove it against an improving Reds pack.

I'm tipping the Reds to notch up the win, but I think that it will come down to Harris' boot. One try each is my prediction.

Highlanders are a handful. a tough match, even at home.

I hate change...

Highlanders might go all out for a bonus point, which could fall into the reds hands?

Well, one can hope.

Agree reg, they are great.

Is there a point to this thread? I thought this match was a foregone conclusion. Highlanders to win by 23. Jamie Mackintosh will fall to the ground so often the pitch will end up with liquefaction. Just how we like it. Jason Rutledge will start a biff with Saia Faingaa over who has the best hairstyle, distracting his brother from tackling Jarred Hoeata who goes on to goose step past Quade for the opener. It's just bound to happen. It's all on the cards rugby fans, written in the stars, destiny, fate, potato. Reds by 11.

Hmmmm.. such insight ACR!

Good to see Taps is up for selection. How bad is F'Sautia's injury? Have Gill and Ioane been cleared to play? And the same question asked once a month, is Toua near fitness (could be needed if Ioane is also ruled out).

F'Sautia trained yesterday so it can't be to bad, they said its better then the first though.

Gill, Robinson, AWH, Lucas and Ioane are the 3 under injury/sickness cloud.

Looks good until the St George logo! I really hope St George allow for the jersey's next year not to have any form of background. I get that they want their logo to stand out (the St George Dragons jersey's look fantastic), but it just detracts from a great set of work on the jersey's!

Are they going to be auctioned off like the South African ones were to help raise a bit of cash to go back to the community?