Hype no problem for the Reds
Keeping a lid on the hype around new Super Rugby leaders the Queensland Reds will be easy, judging by coach Ewen McKenzie on Tuesday.
At least 30,000 fans are expected to pack Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night when the Reds line up against defending champions the Bulls attempting a record sixth straight win.
Adding to a big week, veteran lock Van Humphries (fractured finger) and fullback Ben Lucas (groin) came off the Reds' injury list, onto the training track and back into team calculations on Tuesday.
It's enough to bring a smile to any coach's face - any coach, that is, except McKenzie.
The Reds mentor did not drop his poker face at Tuesday's media call despite saying how much his side hoped to "adjust history" this weekend.
"Those little targets we take note of but it's not the main act - it's to get the win," he said.
"But to be able to subtly prove to the group that we are making progress relative to previous Reds teams, it's a good thing.
"Those little moments of history ... we have been able to regularly tick those off over the last 16 months - it's nice to set a little record along the way."
While weary from their weekend top-of-the-table triumph over the Stormers in Cape Town, the Reds are buoyed by the fact they beat the Bulls this time last year under the same circumstances.
Not that McKenzie was talking up their chances - especially after the Bulls fell 27-0 to the Crusaders last Saturday, the first time they have been held scoreless since 1999.
"This week is the same circumstances we were confronted with last year and we made it work," McKenzie said.
"We know we have done it before, that's a good thing, but we need to do it again.
"They (Bulls) will want to get their title chances back on track.
"We understand it is a big task.
"We are playing the incumbent champion side, the team that has been the most consistent over the last three years, there is no forgone conclusion."
The return of Lucas and Humphries to the training paddock left only Wallabies No.15 Peter Hynes (knee) on their injury list, but McKenzie was taking that with a grain of salt.
"We haven't had too many tough times on the injury side of it but with that said we didn't have Hynes, Van Humphries or Ben Lucas with us (in previous weeks)," he said.
"We get two of them back today on deck training and we didn't pick up injuries on the weekend.
"But you only have to look at last year when we were travelling well and then we fell in a big hole and had 13 guys standing on the sideline at the end of the season - you just have to take the good when it comes."
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