Fainga'a twins keen to lift Red mist

Super Rugby's Fianga'a twins are desperate to stay together and help the struggling Queensland Reds out of trouble.

Blood remains thicker than water for the Fainga'a twins who remain desperate to stay together and help dig the Queensland Reds out of their Super Rugby mire.

Despite interest from interstate and overseas while Reds bosses assess their roster, hooker Saia and centre Anthony look set to remain at Ballymore.

The pair have been crowd favourites at Suncorp Stadium since 2010 and Saia said they were keen to help resurrect Queensland's fortunes after plummeting from three straight finals finishes to last place on the ladder.

The 29-Test raked confirmed he had offers in Europe but was more interested in keeping his World Cup hopes alive by staying in Australia.

He also said it was imperative he continued to play beside his brother.

The 27-year-olds have always come as a package deal, moving to the Reds for the 2009 Super Rugby season after the Brumbies weren't interested in keeping both.

"That's what we have built ourselves on - staying together," he told AAP. "We're very happy being here with our family.

"But in saying that, I'm not happy with the way the team's going and, if I did leave, I would want to leave on a good note.

"I want to stay and that's my biggest thing."

Saia had received interest from the Melbourne Rebels earlier this season in a move that could see him reunite with younger brother Colby, 23, who left the Brumbies last year.

Hooker has been a problem position for the Rebels since Ged Robinson returned to New Zealand, with Irish recruit Tom Sexton's season ruined before it began with a knee reconstruction.

But the Rebels signed the improved Pat Leafa this week and are looking at keeping Japanese rake Shota Horie at the club in an indication the Fainga'a twins have decided to stay in Brisbane.

A Wallabies Test player last November, Saia was one of several Reds who paid the price for their six-match losing streak by being dumped on Thursday from Ewen McKenzie's 32-man squad.

Both twins adamantly denied rumours there was division in the Reds' camp.

"Behind closed doors, we're humming," Anthony said. "We just have to transfer that onto the field."

Defence has been the biggest problem for Queensland, leaking 19 tries in their past four defeats.

When the Reds finished fifth last season, they conceded just 23 in 16 home-and-away matches, and it was hailed as a sign of their tight-knit culture and attitude.

"We're banging our head on a brick wall at the moment - we're overthinking and overworking everything," Anthony said.


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Source: AAP


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