Reds set for reshuffle - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Reds set for reshuffle

Jim Morton 06/04/2011 06:15:34 PM Comments (0)

Boom Kiwi recruit Mike Harris is set to make a midfield switch in a Queensland backline reshuffle aimed at cracking the Stormers' brick-wall defence in Cape Town on Sunday morning (AEST).

Harris made his run-on debut at fullback in the Reds' 30-25 victory over the Lions last week.

But the surprise packet's goalkicking and all-round game has him in line to join playmaking forces with Quade Cooper in the top-of-the-table Super Rugby clash.

Coach Ewen McKenzie is expected to make a string of changes for the Reds' moment of truth with tackle-shedding Wallabies flyer Digby Ioane also expected to shift back from the centres to the wing at Newlands.

The changes could see Anthony Faingaa line up at the unfamiliar position of outside centre in what will easily be second-placed Queensland's biggest test of the season and provide a real gauge of their title hopes.

The unbeaten Stormers have conceded just four tries in their six wins and unlocking their defence is currently the toughest challenge in the competition.

The Stormers, who have crossed for just nine tries themselves including six in their 51-16 thumping of the Force, play an effective field-position game and tackle opponents into error and punish largely through penalty goals to Peter Grant.

Queensland boast one of the most dynamic backlines in the competition but McKenzie won't reveal whether they aim to take on the home side with their up-tempo attack or challenge the Stormers at their own game, repeating the conservative style that undid the Brumbies 31-25 in round three.

"That's the $64 question," McKenzie told AAP from Cape Town.

"If you look at the Brumbies game, we've developed both approaches which we probably didn't have last year.

"We'll see how it pans out but we have the ability to do both and also do both in patches at different times when it suits ... but we certainly prefer to play attacking rugby.

"You won't find two more different teams than the Stormers and Lions so (the Reds team) will be different."

North Harbour recruit Harris, who is eligible for the Wallabies through an Australian-born grandmother, first made his mark coming off the bench for the Reds, scoring two tries and setting up another in a 20-minute cameo at inside centre against the Melbourne Rebels.

The No.12 position looms as his most likely spot against the Stormers, giving the Reds an extra kicker beside the in-form Cooper to get them out of their half as well as create chances with the ball in hand.

While Harris struggled under the high ball at altitude against the Lions, he did slot six-from-six goals with the boot and can land penalties from beyond half-way.

Queensland upset the Stormers, grand-finalists last year, in 2010 when they matched them in a torrid Suncorp Stadium battle which Cooper secured with a perfect cross-field kick for a Will Chambers try.

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

0 Comments about this article

Post a comment about this article

Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.

« All sports news