‘Enjoy trying to prove everyone wrong’: Reds embrace Chiefs test

Harry Wilson says the Queensland Reds have another opportunity to prove everyone wrong when they host the Chiefs on Friday evening, as the home side searches for their third win against a New Zealand opponent this season.

Queensland bounced back from an opening-round defeat with a statement 31-14 triumph over the Highlanders in Brisbane, which kicked off a four-match unbeaten run. The Reds backed that up with wins over the ACT Brumbies, NSW Waratahs and the Fijian Drua.

But after falling to the ladder-leading Hurricanes 52-14 in windy Wellington, the Reds were upset by the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium. That saw the Reds’ season record drop to 4-3 ahead of a second consecutive home fixture, this time against the defending champions.

The Reds hadn’t bested the Crusaders in Brisbane since the 2011 Super Rugby Grand Final, with Will Genia and Quade Cooper starring that season. But that record tumbled last month, with milestone man Filipo Daugunu scoring late in the 31-26 victory.

Queensland fell agonisingly short against the Blues in Super Round the following weekend, with Beauden Barrett scoring the match-winner in Super Point. But the Reds have a 50 per cent record against New Zealand sides in 2026 and will look to improve that in round 13.

“In the back of your head you probably know you’ve played some better performances against them but they also play a style of footy which I think we all really enjoy playing,” Wilson said, when asked about New Zealand sides.

“We’re probably always the underdogs too and you sort of enjoy trying to prove everyone wrong.

“[We] know as a team we’ve matched up pretty well against the Kiwi teams over the last couple of years, obviously barring the Hurricanes, but we’ve been right in the end of every game we’ve versed them.

“To get [the Chiefs] here at Suncorp is a massive advantage to us and we can’t wait for it.”

The Chiefs are looking to extend a five-match unbeaten streak, having last tasted defeat on March 20 against an Australian opponent. Winger Corey Toole raced away for the match-sealer as the ACT Brumbies celebrated James Slipper’s milestone appearance with a famous 33-24 result.

Coach Jono Gibbes and the Chiefs have since beaten the Force, Waratahs, Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua. They also, of course, got the better of the Hurricanes 22-17 in a top-of-the-table Super Point thriller at FMG Stadium Waikato.

Queensland won 25-19 the last time the Chiefs visited Brisbane, with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips producing some late heroics. But the Chiefs have claimed two clinical victories since and have emerged again as one of Super Rugby’s form sides.

“We love playing at Suncorp. To get the win there on the weekend was great and now to verse a team like the Chiefs on a six-day turnaround on Friday night, it’s really exciting,” Wilson explained.

“They’re one of the best teams in the comp, they have been over the past four or five years. It’s a game we really relish and we can’t wait to get into it.

“We’ve obviously had a little bit of success against the Chiefs and we know how to beat them but we also know if we don’t turn up how much they’re going to make us pay.

“To get them here in what’s a really big match for us [with] where we’re sitting on the ladder, a win here will really definitely help us going into the last three games.”