Source : ABC NEWS
The Queensland Reds are one of Super Rugby’s in-form teams, riding high on a four-match winning streak that included a maiden win in Fiji over the Drua.
The Reds sit fourth on the ladder, but are just two points behind front-running Hurricanes, who they will meet in Wellington on Saturday.
This weekend marks the Reds’ first match in New Zealand this season, and history is not on their side.
The Queenslanders have not beaten the Wellington-based franchises since 2013, when tries to Digby Ioane and Rob Simmons guided the Reds to an 18–12 win in front of 30,000 fans at Lang Park.
To make the task hard, the Reds have never won at Wellington Regional Stadium, affectionately known as the Cake Tin.
The Reds did defeat the Hurricanes in 1996 and 1998 at the now-demolished Athletic Park.
“This presents the toughest game in the competition to date — playing the Hurricanes at the Cake Tin in Wellington,” Reds head coach Les Kiss said.
“The Hurricanes’ form has been imperious with their blend of forward power and back line skills run by their halves Cam Roigard and Ruben Love.
“We’ve built confidence over our last four matches, for sure. It has shown the results of playing our game and building on what we do well.”
But the Reds will be boosted by the return of fly half Tom Lynagh, who will be on the bench for his first match this season.
Lynagh was the Wallabies’ starting number 10 for all three Tests against the British and Irish Lions, but his 2025 season was heavily interrupted with hamstring and concussion issues.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will start at number 10, coming off an impressive performance against the Drua.
“They [the Hurricanes] are the best team in the comp for a reason and we know that,” McLaughlin-Phillips said this week.
“Trying to impose our game on them and trying to shut down their game is a really exciting challenge and something we’re looking forward to as a team.”
The Reds are also boosted by the return of captain Fraser McReight, who was rested for last weekend’s away trip to Fiji.
Force hold off giving Lomax first Super Rugby match
Australian rugby’s newest recruit, Zac Lomax, has commenced training with his new teammates at the Western Force, but he will not be taking the field on Saturday against the Chiefs.
The Force return to Perth this weekend to face the Chiefs, after a three-week New Zealand tour which involved a win over Moana Pasifika, and tight losses to the Hurricanes and Highlanders.
Lomax, a NSW rugby league State of Origin representative, was left without an NRL team to play for after being granted a release from the Parramatta Eels for a potential move to the now-delayed R360 rugby union competition.
Lomax was barred from playing for another NRL team until 2028, unless the Eels granted permission. The Melbourne Storm attempted to acquire Lomax, but the Eels did not accept Melbourne’s compensation offer. The saga went to the courts, before the matter was settled out of court and Lomax had no NRL team to play for.
Force coaches opted against throwing Lomax into the deep end after just days of being with his new teammates.
Force Winger Darby Lancaster, who has scored three tries in as many matches for the Perth-based side, said he was excited to see the impact Lomax could have on his side.
“I think he’s very professional. He seems to be fitting in around the group,’ Lancaster said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing where he can add [value]. He’s obviously a big body and a real danger in the air, so I’m looking forward to seeing him add his game into our team.”
