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TWO homeless men on the chilly streets of Auckland have shouted the simplest team talk this season at the desperate Reds as they strive to find the clear heads to beat the chaos of the Blues in their do-or-die clash.
"Ball retention, bro, to beat the Blues ... ball retention," came the bizarre advice from two hardheads who sleep their nights on a shopfront pavement between the Reds' gym and their team hotel in downtown Auckland.
One slept last night in a Reds beanie. Whether it was gratitude for the tip or simple kindness from a player doesn't matter.
The Reds have to follow his simple words. Coach Richard Graham has made four key changes to find the clinical edge and all are vital against a team as big, as dangerous and as unpredictable as Keven Mealamu's Blues.
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"We have to keep shape to our game in the chaos that is going to be out there on Friday night because that's just the way they can break out with their size and athleticism if we let them," Graham warned.
"Give them unstructured situations, a poor kick or don't hold onto the ball and you pay the price and we had that lesson against the Hurricanes last weekend."
Switching Mike Harris from centre to fullback ahead of Ben Lucas puts 12kg of bigger body in the back field defence.
Equally, Anthony Faingaa's return at inside centre adds more defensive starch although he again finds himself in a mismatch against All Blacks powerhouse Ma'a Nonu, who has a 13kg size advantage.
Rod Davies' pace and superior experience has won him a wing spot ahead of Jamie-Jerry Taulagi. Source: Getty Images
Rod Davies had to return to the wing to replace uncertain defender Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.
Up front, Liam Gill's presence at openside flanker, after missing four matches with hamstring trouble, offers breakdown expertise and flexibility in attack.
He will go as long as he can with the strong likelihood that Beau Robinson will finish the game as an impact weapon from the bench.
Getting the most out of the Reds scrum necessitated the recall of veteran prop Greg Holmes, for Ben Daley, against a Blues pack which gives away the most penalties at scrum time but also earns the most in this key battleground.
"With Anthony back in the midfield, his defence and work ethic will do a very good job for us there. Mike, at fullback, provides us with a big body in the back three and also an alternative link to Quade Cooper," Graham said.
Greg Holmes returns to help anchor the Reds scrum against a formidable Blues pack. Source: News Limited
"Rod's inclusion in the back three demonstrates a need for experience and he brings genuine speed which we know the Blues have plenty of."
Graham made it clear the time for big words was well past.
"At some point talking gets you only so far. We've got to deliver in our actions," Graham said.
"This is as incredibly tight group. They recognises the situation they have got themselves in (with three straight losses) and the turning point comes through what we deliver."
Reds: M Harris, C Feauai-Sautia, B Tapuai, A Faingaa, R Davies, Q Cooper, W Genia, J Schatz, L Gill, E Quirk, J Horwill (c), R Simmons, G Holmes, S Faingaa, J Slipper. Res: J Hanson, B Daley, J Owen, E O'Donoghue, B Robinson, N Frisby, B Lucas, JJ Taulagi
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