MELBOURNE – Of the many surprises Super Rugby Pacific has thrown up this season, the Australian teams’ spotless record at home to New Zealand rivals ranks among the most astonishing.
Having once dominated Australian sides home or away, none of New Zealand’s six teams have breached “Fortress Australia” on their trips “across the ditch” after 10 rounds this season.
The players freed up by the collapse of the Melbourne Rebels have strengthened Australia’s four remaining teams and made the once-lopsided competition far more intriguing.
Following Western Force’s 17-17 draw with the Wellington Hurricanes in Perth last week, it will be the Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies’ turn to repel the New Zealand invaders.
The Reds’ faced arguably the harder task when they host the Auckland Blues at Lang Park last night.
Although the Blues lie eighth in the table with a 3-6 losing record, they are desperate to keep their title defence alive after a tough 25-22 loss at the Canterbury Crusaders last week.
They have won on each of their last three trips to Queensland and racked up 40-plus point scores against the Reds in their last three matches.Brumbies will face Hurricanes tonight.
