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A WORLDWIDE SOS for an experienced back recruit has become a priority for the Reds in their desperate fight to stay afloat as a finals contender.
Reds coach Richard Graham revealed on Sunday night that the possibility of a short-term signing to bolster the squad's depleted backline stocks had already been discussed.
The Reds went into last Friday night's loss against the ACT Brumbies with just nine fit backs in their squad when Mike Harris (achilles) joined Dom Shipperley (hip), Aidan Toua (pectoral) and Lachie Turner (ankle) on the injured list.
Only winger Shipperley may be fit to return in time against Conrad Smith's Hurricanes on Saturday week in Wellington.
The Reds have never won at Wellington's Westpac Stadium in their five attempts since 2004 and Graham can leave nothing to chance when another loss would be a season-killer.
Dom Shipperley in his last match against the Stormers before injuring his hip. He is set to return. Source: Getty Images
"We'll check the fitness of Mike and 'Ships' but we will definitely spend time this week discussing further the idea of signing a pinch-hitter to help the squad," Graham said.
Asked if he was specifically looking for a winger or fullback with size and grunt, Graham was more general.
"We are just looking for the best available footballer. It's something we'll explore," Graham said.
Such emergency signings have been made before. Former Reds coach Ewen McKenzie hollered for Radike Samo, in semi-retirement and eating too much fast food, in Fiji in 2010.
He helped out the Reds for two games in a lock crisis late that season and won a title the following year.
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When David Pocock was injured last year, the Brumbies recruited master flanker George Smith on a short-term deal from Japanese club Suntory and he almost delivered a championship.
Former Melbourne Rebels winger Cooper Vuna is back in Australia after a Japanese season with Toshiba, so his bullocking style should warrant some consideration.
The Reds (16 points from eight games) are just a win behind the sixth-placed Highlanders (19).
It does reflect the unprecented congestion to the 15-team table that clearly gives the Reds hope but there is also a degree of mirage to tricking the mind that way.
Eight of the teams sitting above the Queenslanders have played only seven games, so the gaps will widen while the Reds have a bye this weekend.
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"We've lost three games by three points, so we are a very small way away from significant wins," Graham said.
"We've put ourselves in a difficult situation (with five losses) and it's up to us to get out of it.
"We'll come back refreshed after the bye for a very important tour to New Zealand and the solution will come from all of us."
Reds hooker Saia Faingaa savoured the rare tight-head pushover try that mangled the Brumbies scrum as the high point of his 100th Super Rugby appearance.
"Are we capable of winning four games in a row? We're going to," Faingaa said.
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