The former title winning Queensland mentor John Connolly believes the ''stars have aligned'' for the Reds to end their 16 season Super Rugby drought.

Connolly was the first Reds coach in the professional era in 1996, following Super 10 triumphs in 1994 95, and expects Quade Cooper and Will Genia to lead them back to the promised land.

The 2007 World Cup Wallabies coach said the superiority of the Genia-Cooper halves combination will ensure Queensland topple the Blues in Saturday night's semi final in Brisbane.

The Reds host the Blues on Friday at 9.40pm.

Story by: Dreu Vukailagi
Source: planetrugby