Queensland Reds skipper Fraser McReight is determined to break the club's finals hoodoo as they prepare for a crucial Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday.
The Reds have reached the finals for the fifth consecutive season, but have failed to advance past the qualifying stage in each of the previous four years. All four losses came in New Zealand, with two against the Chiefs.
"People who love Queensland rugby know how important it is to us to get a win over there," McReight said on Tuesday. "There is a hoodoo ... but there's so much belief here. The boys have gone up and down, but the trajectory has been up. It's all about our process this week."
The Reds lost 31-21 to the Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium last month, and McReight expects an even tougher contest this weekend. "It's do-or-die football. Everything is at a higher intensity," he said. "The collisions, the breakdowns, the set piece – everything. That's what we can expect."
McReight will make his 100th appearance for the Reds on Saturday, a milestone he described as "very special." "Just to get one seven years ago, and now to hopefully get 100 is very special for me and my family," he said. "It's not every day that you get to enjoy your job as much as I do. I love playing for Queensland. I'm a Queenslander. I supported the Reds, and I get to play for Australia."
The Wallabies star is confident his team has learned from past finals failures. "Learning from those experiences, knowing that we want to go out there and be physical, we want it to be a tight competition, we want it to be a tough game ... that's what it is," he said. "Stepping up in the big moments ... set piece is huge, breakdown is huge, so they're definitely two key takeaways."
The Reds will likely be without Wallabies centre Hunter Paisami, who injured his knee in last week's 45-24 win over Fijian Drua. "Hunter's outstanding, but we've got confidence in this whole squad," McReight added.
Kick-off is on Saturday in Hamilton, with the Reds aiming to end their finals drought and progress further in Super Rugby Pacific.
