Cortez Ratima (centre) of the Chiefs in action during the Super Rugby Pacific Round 3 match between the Queensland Reds and the Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Photo: DARREN ENGLAND
Chiefs v Reds
Kick-off: 7.05pm NZT Friday 7 June
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Probably the most interesting of Super Rugby Pacific's quarters happen on Friday night in Hamilton, where the Chiefs are aiming to get one over a team that has really had their number lately.
The Reds actually have a winning record against the Chiefs over the last two seasons, winning two games to one, and come in with an exciting squad and plenty of confidence. Their issue this year has been consistency - they haven't been able to win more than two games in a row, however the talent is there to change that.
The Chiefs came into the season as red-hot favourites and have not quite lived up to their billing. Whatever happens on Friday night, this will be their final home game as they only finished fifth in the regular season standings.
Fraser McReight (left) of the Reds celebrates scoring a try during the Super Rugby Pacific Round 3 match between the Queensland Reds and the Chiefs in Brisbane. Photo: DARREN ENGLAND
Here's how the teams line up:
Chiefs: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Rameka Poihipi, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Luke Jacobson (c), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa'i, 4 Jimmy Tupou, 3 George Dyer, 2 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 1 Aidan Ross
Bench: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Reuben O'Neill, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Simon Parker, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Daniel Rona
Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Tim Ryan, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Mac Grealy, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 John Bryant, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Liam Wright, 5 Ryan Smith, 4 Seru Uru, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Alex Hodgman
Bench: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Sef Fa'agase, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Connor Vest, 20 Joe Brial, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Lawson Creighton, 23 Taj Annan
Chiefs selections
Chiefs centre Anton Lienert-Brown. Photo: Bruce Lim /www.photosport.nz
Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Anton Lienert-Brown and Tupou Vaa'I are all back for the Chiefs, who went down to the Blues last weekend at Eden Park.
Jimmy Tupou retains his place at lock alongside Vaa'i, while Luke Jacobson's head clash at Eden Park has sufficiently healed so he can retain his role as captain.
Samisoni Taukei'aho starts at hooker, while a reshuffle off the bench sees Josh Ioane drop out.
Reds selections
Jeff Toomaga-Allen of the Reds celebrates. Photo: Albert Perez
Only one major change to the Reds side that pipped the Waratahs last weekend, with Tom Lynagh taking back the first five spot from Lawson Creighton.
Boom rookie Tim Ryan headlines an exciting backline that includes Josh Flook and Hunter Paisami.
Up front, there are two former All Blacks starting at prop, with Jeff Toomaga-Allen and Alex Hodgman looking to anchor what has been a strong Reds scrum.
What they're saying
"Winning in Hamilton will be a difficult task. If we commit to playing our style, we've got a chance against a good Chiefs side. We have had some positive results against New Zealand teams this season. Of the three wins, one was crucially in Christchurch." - Reds coach Les Kiss.
"We have been impressed with how the Reds have been playing. They are clear on their identity, have threats across the park to impost their game on you. They look a cohesive, happy unit. They will be up for this game." - Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan.
The last time they met
The Reds pulled a massive upset early on in round two, tipping up the Chiefs' drive to the top of the table before it had even really started.
A very fortunate try to the appropriately named Flook put the Reds into a second half lead they never relinquished, which was the first of three wins against New Zealand sides in 2024.
Last season, these sides met in exactly the same quarterfinal fixture, with the Chiefs lucky to escape with a 29-20 win in Hamilton.
Prediction
Honestly, this is a tough one. If the Reds can play as well as they are capable of playing, they will beat the Chiefs yet again. If the Chiefs play as badly as they are capable of playing, it'll be by plenty.
It is unlikely the latter will happen, and it will really come down to the set piece battle and who can start winning penalties and field position off scrums.
But it is all on for both of these teams to give the ball a decent bit of air and score some decent tries.
