0
April 02, 2009 Queensland Reds coach Phil Mooney is eager to kill two birds with one stone when his charges tackle Super 14 rivals Western Force at Subiaco Oval.
A win to the 11th-placed Reds would not only keep their finals hopes alive, but also end an 18-match winless streak on the road dating back to 2006.
Queensland came close to ending their away hoodoo in narrow losses to New South Wales and the Stormers earlier this year and Mooney is confident his team can get over the line against the Force, whose record of eight wins from 22 appearances at home in Perth is hardly daunting.
"We went very close in South Africa, we went close in Sydney so I think we are ready now," Mooney said.
"I get asked questions about hoodoos back at home and why we are not doing well, and I think my answer is Queensland hasn't had a good record at home or away for the last few years.
"With this team we've worked hard to get a different dynamic to it and I think we've got that now and I think we are not too far off winning home and away consistently.
"Our whole approach has changed and I think it's going to bear fruit soon."
The Force and Reds both sit 10 points adrift of fourth spot but Mooney has not given up hope of his team making a late assault on the top four.
"The way the competition is at the moment whoever wins jumps right back into the mix," Mooney said.
"If this isn't the last opportunity for both teams, it's just about that."
Western Force skipper Nathan Sharpe admitted it was a do-or-die clash for both sides.
"It's a desperation game for both teams and that's a focus for us," Sharpe said.
"At the moment, a lot of teams are knocking teams off that you might not expect each week, so that 10 points can be claimed back pretty quickly.
"There might be a couple of teams that shoot away but certainly third and fourth spot are very attainable."
Reds captain James Horwill fired the first derby barb when he stated his goal was to knock Wallabies lock partner Sharpe off his perch.
But Sharpe said he was unfazed by the comments.
"Certainly that's fine with me if he wants to take it on a personal level but I'd be pretty happy to win the game for my team," he said.
Mooney declared Digby Ioane a certain starter against the Force despite the star back struggling with a knee complaint earlier in the week.
Ioane, who left the Force at the end of 2007, has been in sparkling form in his new role at outside centre.
"He has far more involvement and in attack we all know how threatening he is but he's getting the ball far more and defensively he's been excellent as well," Mooney said.
"I think Digby is probably one of the form backs in the competition."
Meanwhile, Western Force lock Tom Hockings and 22-year-old flanker Richard Stanford re-signed with the club for a further two years.
AAP
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...002381,00.html
Reply With Quote
