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BURLY Wallabies lock Rob Simmons will be shifted to flanker as part of the biggest revamp to the Reds pack this season as they search for a way out of their misery.
The Reds will field their heftiest pack against the Crusaders on Sunday afternoon if they forge ahead with the idea of starting 119kg Ed O'Donoghue at lock and 115kg Simmons at blindside flanker.
The Family Round clash is still tracking to draw more than 30,000 fans to Suncorp Stadium, which is a measure of how shrewd Queensland rugby has been with their season ticket strategy to cover dives in the team's form.
Former Australian under-20 captain Curtis Browning can expect an extended run off the bench while another backrow bench spot may be created for livewire 19-year-old Easts openside Michael Gunn.
Liam Gill is tackled by Tom Donnelly. The Reds flanker has been forced to miss the Crusaders match. Source: Getty Images
With Liam Gill (calf) injured, the sudden call-up for Gunn to back up Beau Robinson would insure against the Crusaders having a field day at the breakdown through maestro Richie McCaw.
Crusaders captain Kieran Read has concussion and the IRB's 2013 Player of the Year is one backrow menace the Reds will not have to deal with on Sunday.
Simmons revealed on Wednesday he had been asked to brush up on his No.6 skills this week and had been devouring the finer points on video.
"It's a good personal challenge to work hard at so you don't let the team down if the chance comes," said Simmons, who was a fill-in Test flanker against Italy last year.
"A lot of lock skills transfer but the defensive role off scrums and lineouts is a key area where you have to be up to speed.''
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Reds coach Richard Graham was coy about whether his mind had already made up on Simmons or Browning to start at blindside flanker.
"Curtis has played a good deal in the role this season so that move would be fairly seamless. Simmo has plusses, too. I'll make the final decision on Friday," Graham said.
Graham is thinking outside the square because of the injuries to backrow regulars Gill and Ed Quirk (rib) but the team's parlous standing in 13th should have forced that mindset anyway.
Graham, as the team's defensive co-ordinator, accepted blame for the poor defensive effort on tour in New Zealand where nine tries were leaked in two losses.
"That is probably something I am critical about myself,'' he said.
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"The last two games we focused heavily on our attack but certainly this week we have a big focus on making sure we defend well.''
Simmons said there had been no blame game played between backs, forwards or coaches in the four-match losing streak when inconsistency killed the team.
"We need to move forward and look to the mate beside you, pick each other up and improve in every little area,'' Simmons said.
"There have been parts of games where we have been better than previous years. The parts that have been worse have much worse and for too long, which is the big frustration."
■ WALLABIES utility back Matt Toomua will remain with the ACT Brumbies until the end of 2017 after signing a three-year contract extension on Wednesday.
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