Reds co-captain Tate McDermott is adamant the Queenslanders “don’t need to change” despite conceding 40 points to Super Rugby Pacific battlers Western Force.
The Reds’ status as competition contenders took a blow in Perth last weekend when the Force won for the first time this season, beating Queensland 40-31.
McDermott’s side now faces the tough task of securing redemption by beating the ACT Brumbies – Australia’s best performing team this season – on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium.
“We were pretty disappointed with how we defended (in Perth),” McDermott said.
“The Force were good but 40 points is too much … but we don’t need to change stuff because what we’re doing is working.
“We’ve just got to keep getting better, and that’s been our focus this week.”
The Wallabies halfback predicted an “entertaining” affair with the Brumbies, who thrashed Moana Pasifika 60-21 last Friday.
“We know the Brumbies are trying to evolve their game a little bit, and they’ve shown, particularly (against Moana Pasifika), that they’re capable of scoring tries from anywhere, particularly with the calibre of some of the backs they’ve got … guys like (winger) Corey Toole and (fullback) Tom Wright.
“What they’ve always had is a dominant forward pack, a well-drilled, well-coached forward pack as well, so we’re expecting quite a bit of a physical battle as well up front.”
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham also tipped the entertainment to “evolve” on Saturday night.
“That’s part of Brumbies DNA, and I’m certainly impressed with the way the Reds have played this year,” Larkham said.
“They’re a team that has scored some really good tries. They look very dangerous in attack (and) in all aspects of the game.
“The most important thing for us, particularly when you travel, is to come away with a really good performance.
“Hopefully on the back of that performance, you get the result that you’re after.”
Reds: Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Jordan Petaia, Jock Campbell. Bench: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Zane Nonggorr, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Lawson Creighton, Suliasi Vunivalu.
Brumbies: James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Sefo Kautai, Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford, Tom Wright. Bench: Billy Pollard, Harry Vella, Rhys van Nek, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith.
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