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Peter Hynes confident of returning for Queensland Reds against Force
By Greg Davis
March 07, 2010 Injured Queensland Reds fullback Peter Hynes is racing against the clock so he can help "bash the Force" in their Super 14 grudge match at Suncorp Stadium.
Hynes missed the Reds' stirring 23-18 win over the Chiefs with a finger ligament injury sustained in the loss to the Blues at Ballymore last weekend.
The Reds will be gunning for back-to-back wins in Super 14 for the first time since 2006 when they host the Western Force and will be full of confidence after their heroics in Hamilton.
Clashes between the two Australian sides always have extra spice after the Perth-based franchise mercilessly plundered the Reds' playing stocks ahead of their entry into the Super 14 competition.
One-on-one battles for possible Test spots also ensures there will be no love lost on the hallowed turf.
Hynes - who has been a standout at fullback after switching from the wing - is desperate to be in the thick of the action.
"These are the games you play rugby for," Hynes said.
"Matches against the other Australian teams are always very intense and very physical and I'll be doing my best to be available.
"I'd expect that I will be right to play. This is a game I don't want to miss.
"There are some games in the season that take on a lot of importance for a lot of reasons. It is critical we keep in touch with the top half of the table before we go to South Africa so this is crucial.
"The boys get a nine-day turnaround after the Chiefs so they will be rested up and ready to really bash the Force at Suncorp Stadium."
The 22-Test Wallabies flyer said the finger injury had been improving rapidly.
"It has come a long way since I did it. Once the swelling goes down and you are able to function with it again, you can basically play and the swelling is starting to go," Hynes said.
Hynes paid tribute to Reds coach Ewen McKenzie for engineering the reversal of Queensland's fortunes.
"Ewen has brought a wealth of knowledge, especially to the forwards, having coached at that level with the Waratahs and working with the Brumbies and Wallabies."
The Sunday Mail (Qld)
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...002381,00.html