Innovation and competition for spots the formula for success, says McKenzie
QR Reds coach Ewen McKenzie says innovation and competition within the improving Reds squad is the key to getting the best out of the team.
Despite the Reds defeating the previously unbeaten Chiefs 23-18 last week, McKenzie has opted to make three changes to the starting lineup for Sunday afternoon’s Investec Bank Super 14 match against winless Aussie rivals the Western Force (kickoff 4.30pm).
Wallaby Digby Ioane returns from a knee injury to take over from Morgan Turinui at outside centre, fellow international Peter Hynes slots back in at fullback, while young lock Robert Simmons is poised to make his Queensland and Super Rugby run-on debut while hard working Adam Byrnes is given a “freshen up” on the bench.
Speed merchant Luke Morahan, who deputised in the number 15 jersey while Hynes was injured, moves to his more familiar right wing position.
“We have to keep competition going within the squad. If you keep naming the same squad every week, complacency can get the better of you. So we want to keep everyone on their toes,” McKenzie said.
“We need to become more consistent and that’s why we’re not just rolling out the same team and being happy with where we’re at so far. We’ve got to keep taking some risks to try to be better.
“Simmo coming into the second row is an example of that. I’m not unhappy with Adam Byrnes at all, but he’s carried a fair workload; he’s an industrious player on the field. He’s also been carrying a few niggles, so he gets a freshen up and Simmo gets a chance to get out there to show what he’s got.
“(Simmons) is a very talented individual; very athletic player; and a very good lineout player. I think he might provide a good foil to the work (fellow lock) Van Humphries has been doing.”
McKenzie said while the team is rewarding past performances, it was also chosen to best suit the style of rugby they wanted to play against the Force.
“It’s a good fit for this game. I think we’ve got an idea on how they want to play and we also have some ideas about how we want to play them,” said McKenzie, who insisted the Force are a much better team than their winless record indicates.
“They’re a pretty competent side and have been in every game they’ve played. While you can judge them on the final score line, they’ve been quite competitive.
“They did some very good things against us in the trial and they wouldn’t have forgotten that. (And) if you do a head count I think they’ve got more international players running around there than we have.”
Despite the changes, McKenzie has placed an emphasis on utilising his bench during the opening month of the Investec Bank Super 14 season and he said Sunday would be no different.
“I tend to use the bench pretty much every game. I’m relying on the 22 guys to deliver, so I don’t get too hung up on who is starting and who is finishing. They’re all part of the same task in getting us a win.”
QR Reds team to play the Force at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon (kickoff 4:30pm): Peter Hynes, Luke Morahan, Digby Ioane, Anthony Faingaa, Brando Va’aulu, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Leroy Houston, Daniel Braid, Scott Higginbotham, Van Humphries, Rob Simmons, Laurie Weeks, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley. Reserves: Sean Hardman, Greg Holmes, Adam Byrnes, Jake Schatz, Ben Lucas, Morgan Turinui, Will Chambers.
Thanks to St. George Bank, kids will be admitted free* with a ticket buying adult. Sunday is Junior Day at Suncorp Stadium and there are plenty of kid-friendly pre-match activities planned. We also have a schoolboy curtain raiser between St Paul's and Ormiston College at 2.30pm and a Junior Club march-past. Gates open at 2pm.
Tickets are available through Ticketek.com.au. Pre-purchased tickets are a lower price than when bought at the gate and also include free public transport to and from the game.
