Brotherly bragging rights are again on the line at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night when the Queensland Reds host the ACT Brumbies in a crucial Super Rugby Pacific battle.
Both teams are desperate to bounce back from losses in last weekend’s “Super Round” as the battle for top-six spots intensifies a month away from the finals series.
“It’s going to come down to the wire,” Reds captain Fraser McReight said ahead of the clash for the Rod Macqueen Cup.
“They’re a quality side, and we’ve had some close run-ins over the years, and especially after last weekend and both of us wanting to get another win on the board, it’s going be a battle.”
There will also be the battle of the Pritchard brothers, Treyvon and Kadin.
Queensland’s Treyvon came out on top when the Reds beat Kadin’s Brumbies 34-31 in Canberra on March 7.
However, Kadin wasn’t totally overshadowed by his brother in the contest, having rubbed his younger sibling’s head into the GIO Stadium turf during their time together on the field.
“It’s around getting him back for rubbing my head into the ground,” Treyvon said.
“I’m going try to get one-up on him again. It’s exciting … but most important is just focusing on the game, and how we’re leading into it.
“We’ve had a good week, and now it’s just to get out there and put a good performance on the pitch.”
The 19-year-old outside back has impressed off the bench for the Reds this season.
“My comfort has grown a lot as the season’s gone on. I’ve been lucky enough to get a couple of games on the trot now, so I’m getting used to it,” he said.
“That bench role, I’m used to that as well, so it has helped a lot.”
McReight praised Treyvon for his development this season.
“He comes on, finds a bit of space, creates space, he’s young, athletic, so he’s been building really nicely,” the Reds skipper said.
“He’s got no ceiling at the moment. He can keep going. He’s performing really well, and it’s just about understanding what his strengths are and improving those, while also improving his weaknesses, and his understanding of the game as well.
“He’s surrounded by some really good people here, coaches, players that can really help develop him. That’s exciting for Queensland rugby, and also Australian rugby.”
McReight was confident the Reds could return to winning ways after last Saturday’s 36-33 golden-point loss to the Blues.
“Both starts of the halves weren’t great, and … there are some other areas where we know we need to improve. If we come out of the blocks hot, first and second half, and we take some of those key chances, it’s a different game,” the star flanker said.
