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JAMES Horwill's hoodoo-busters plan to hit the Sharks pack with an aggressive "win it or ruin it'' mentality to pull off an upset in Durban.
The Reds forwards privately feel they can disrupt the leaders at their core despite an avalanche of forecasts painting the opposite picture.
Being unloved seven-point underdogs in a shot at history is exactly how the Reds like it for Sunday morning (Qld time).
This game has all the hallmarks of the 2011 visit to Cape Town when they shocked the ladder-leading Stormers.
The unrated Reds that day showed they were legitimate title contenders with a highly disciplined 19-6 win full of dominant tackles to snap an eight-year drought in the city.
New Reds coach Richard Graham should be grateful that former coach Ewen McKenzie left office with hoodoos still to conquer.
"This squad enjoys the history of the game and milestones so, yes, the boys know the Reds haven't won in Durban since 2004,'' Graham said.
"It's a challenge they are really enjoying. If we are genuine contenders this year you have to beat teams away from home.''
Rob Simmons wins a lineout for the Reds against the Cheetahs last round. Source: Getty Images
Reds forwards James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Ed Quirk and Jake Schatz have stolen lineouts this season to show they can rattle Sharks pillar Pieter-Steph du Toit and co there.
"Win it or ruin it is our mentality to affect the quality of ball from their set piece because it is a big part of the Sharks game,'' Graham said.
Only one team has a better scrum success rate than the Reds (92 per cent) while the Springbok-laden Sharks scrum (14th) has had hiccups.
"It's been highlighted that Jake White knows what makes Aussie teams tick because of his time at the Brumbies but it's fair to say we have a similarly strong understanding of the way he coaches,'' Graham said.
No team passes the ball less than the Sharks, who bludgeon momentum with runners at the gain line.
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The return of top prop James Slipper and hooker Saia Faingaa to the starting side is not just an experience lift.
Faingaa's ankle-cutting tackles are vital to fell battering-ram runners like 118kg Sharks flanker Willem Alberts and hooker Bismarck du Plessis before he gets his side rolling.
Graham said the Reds were training as if expecting Springbok JP Pietersen to play outside centre despite only this week flying home from his Japanese club.
The excellent comeback of Rod Davies has won him a wing spot. Dom Shipperley was the winger to miss out in team selections on Thursday when Lachie Turner was ushered back after beating a knee niggle.
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