Suncorp Stadium Brisbane QueenslandReds vs Blues\nSuncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 19.40 (09.40 GMT)\n\nIn no way do I intend any disrespect to the Reds — on the contrary, they have exceeded my and many other expectations this year. They would have been a popular preseason pick to end the tournament at the bottom of the log, especially after the Bulls spanked them so memorably at Loftus last year.\n\nBut the Blues will see this match as a massive lifeline for their semifinal hopes, slim though they may be.\n\nAnd in their current situation, they will probably be happy to be facing the Reds in this must-win match.\n\nThe Blues of course started the season so brightly, but fell away severely in the second half. It must be noted however that they came close to putting one past the Crusaders last weekend, pushing the Red and Blacks all the way to the end, and losing by only four points in the end.\n\nThat result will have brought some belief back to David Nucifora\'s men, and they have shown a willingness to slug it out in order to regain the fluid, destructive form we all know they are capable of.\n\nSometimes it only takes a touch of inspiration to get a team firing again. For the Blues, that time is now, and they certainly have theplayers to provide that spark. Their team is certainly littered with gifted individuals.\n\nThe Reds have lost back row forward John Roe to injury — he is replaced by teenager Scott Higginbotham.\n\nThey do have wing Digby Ioane back in the starting XV, after a very impressive stint last week againstthe Chiefs.\n\nFor the Blues, Anthony Tuitavake shone last week at outside centre, and coach Nucifora has decided to give him another chance there. The hugely promising Benson Stanley has been replaced by another potential superstar in \'Ice\' Toeava, who has been sub-par thus year.\n\nToeava gets anotherchance though, and he and Tuitavake will be facing Berrick Barnes and the in-form Morgan Turinui, who will certainly be testing their defensive capabilities.\nIsa Nacewa stays at flyhalf, while Nick Carter keeps the No.15 jersey. Nucifora clearly thinks the positional swap has worked, and both players are comfortable with either position.\n\nThe Blues pack seems as powerful as ever, but captain Troy Flavell will have to bring the best out of himself, before his men will follow. Flavell\'s attitude has been suspect at times, and he has been seen hissing at referees, and generally behaving petulantly.\n\nThat spirit will not drag his squad into the semifinals, especially considering the enormity of the task that awaits them.\n\nOne last interesting bit of info is that the Blues\' trips to Brisbane usually end in tears. They have only won their once in Super Rugby — a narrow 21-20 win in 2006.\n\nPrediction: The Reds will be no pushovers, but they have nothing left to play for this season, unlike the Blues, who have to win to retain that slim chance of a semi. With that motivation in mind, I call the Blues to win by 15 points.\n\nRecent results:\n2007: Blues won 38-13, Auckland\n2006: Blues won 21-20, Brisbane\n\nTeams:\n\nReds: 15 Clinton Schifcofske, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Peter Hynes, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 David Croft, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Van Humphries, 3 Dayna Edwards, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Coutts.Replacements: 16 Sean Hardman, 17 Rodney Blake, 18 Ed O\'Donoghue, 19 Poutasi Luafutu, 20 Will Genia, 21 Charlie Fetoai, 22 Brando Va\'aulu\n\nBlues: 15 Nick Evans, 14 David Smith, 13 Anthony Tuitavake, 12 Isaia Toeava, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Isa Nacewa, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Troy Flavell (captain), 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.\nReplacements: 16 Nick White, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Kurtis Haiu, 19 Justin Collins, 20 Danny Lee, 21 Benson Stanley, 22 Ben Atiga.\n\nReferee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)\nTouch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Geoff Acton (Australia)\nTelevision match official: Steve Leszczynski (Australia)\nAssessor: Scott Young (Australia) 14, rugby, super