Kiss goodbye to doubts about safety of betting on Reds
The statistics make ugly reading for the Queensland Reds, but the Super Rugby Pacific underdogs are hopeful a seed planted a year ago in Christchurch bears them finals fruit.
A Crusaders team on a 16-game finals winning streak, dotted with 10 All Blacks in their starting 15, will welcome the Reds on a cold, wet Christchurch Friday night.
Losses in 13 of their past 14 games, including a season-worst 43-19 drubbing this campaign, sums up the one-sided rivalry.
Rob Penney's side pipped the ACT Brumbies in Canberra in their battle for second place, while the fifth-placed Reds haven't beaten a top-four side all season.
"Absolutely formidable," Reds coach Les Kiss summed up ahead of their must-win qualifying final.
"We'll have to take a few hits, might be on the ropes, but we just have a belief we can fight back from those moments."
The belief comes from victory there last year that ended a 25-year drought - the Crusaders' only loss to an Australian side in their past 21 games - and the Reds' new-found composure behind flyhalf Tom Lynagh since.
They were able to turn the tables on the Highlanders this season, resorting to their trusty scrum to engineer a comeback win.
Named at No.8, Harry Wilson's availability after an injury scare on Saturday was a huge mid-week boost.
And super-boot Lynagh's competition-best 87 per cent conversion rate could also prove crucial in tough conditions, while the ruck and lineout will be a battle against a Crusaders team stacked with high-calibre Test talent.
"It does plant a seed for us, hopefully plants a seed of doubt for them," Kiss said of victory in Christchurch last year.
"It's a challenge; he (Lynagh) is up for it and hasn't failed a challenge yet, from what I've seen.
"There's been a lot said about what the Crusaders are good at over there and we respect that, but I'll back Tommy to stand up and direct us around the park.
"Let's go see what happens."
Wilson's combination with flanker Fraser McReight, who is fourth in the competition with 17 turnovers from 12 games, will also be a pivotal one.
McReight's influence was curbed in a 31-27 loss to the Hurricanes two weeks ago that dropped them out of the top four.
Hurricanes captain and opposing flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi managed that contest superbly.
Kiss has urged the Reds to avoid a repeat on Friday against a back row featuring Ethan Blackadder and Tom Christie.
"Control the errors and ensure the breakdown is not left up to the ref to decide," Kiss said.
"Do our job there to get the kind of ball we want."
Former Reds playmaker James O'Connor will come off the bench for the Crusaders as the 34-year-old strengthens his case for a Wallabies recall.
He has played just 328 minutes this year - Lynagh has logged 703 - but been impactful at the late stages with his kicking and decision-making.
"He's been brilliant there, hasn't he," Kiss said of O'Connor, who left Ballymore after an injury-riddled 2024.
"I can only say good things about James. He was good here ... gone over there and done a similar job.
"Good luck to him, just not too much on Friday night."
HISTORY AGAINST THE REDS
* Lost 13 of past 14 games against Crusaders
* Crusaders on a record 16-game finals winning streak dating back to 2016
* Reds' 2024 win the Crusaders' only home loss to Australian opponents in their past 21 games.
* Three straight quarter-final losses for Reds and only one score of 25+ points in club's 13 finals appearances
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