The Reds have called up former All Blacks wing Caleb Ralph as they look to cover a worsening injury crisis.
Super Rugby veteran set to play for league leaders against Chiefs
The Reds have called up former All Blacks wing Caleb Ralph from Queensland's local league as they look to cover a worsening injury crisis.
Ralph, a veteran of 135 Super Rugby games for the Crusaders, Blues and Chiefs, was playing for the Sunshine Coast Stingrays in the semi-professional Queensland Premier Rugby competition.
The 33-year-old has gone straight into coach Ewen McKenzie's 23-man squad for Saturday's clash against the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium.
He is the only change to the squad that defeated Western Force 24-21 last weekend in Perth to secure a home semi-final in the Super Rugby play-offs.
The league-leading Reds will ensure they finish the regular season in top spot if that manage to beat the Chiefs - the team which handed Ralph his debut in the competition 14 years ago.
Ralph needs one more appearance to equal George Gregan's Super Rugby record of 136 and one more try to equal Doug Howlett's mark of 59.
"Playing the Chiefs in Hamilton is a tough assignment and there are a lot of reasons for them to play well," McKenzie said.
"At this stage of our campaign we are looking for an experienced outside back and Caleb fits the bill. He is a veteran who has no doubt played many times against the Chiefs in Hamilton and therefore we think he's a good fit."
