Reds brains trust rue blown opportunities

Fri, May 18, 2018, 12:15 PM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
The Queensland Reds travelled to Wellington to take on the Hurricanes after being embarrassed by the Sunwolves in Japan last match out. Brad Thorn and Scott Higginbotham answered questions post match about the result.

A disappointed Reds brains trust has rued blown opportunities, having fallen four points short of a huge upset in Wellington.

Queensland refused to relent against the Hurricanes, responding with a try each time the home side threatened to kick clear.

It was a performance more reminiscent of their win over the Lions and while there were plenty of positives to be taken from the 38-34 defeat, coach Brad Thorn cut a frustrated figure post match.

"The guys went out, put on their Queensland jersey and competed hard but it was disappointing in the end, though," he said.

"We competed and we were in the wrestle of the game.

"We kept on getting ourselves in the game, we played some good footy.

"The guys were committed and that's what you need - that's the standard in professional level footy.


"But there were some basic errors that really hurt us and it's obviously still disappointing to lose that game."

While expectations were very low given the Reds started $19 underdogs, captain Scott Higginbotham said it was a game they will long view as one that got away.

"We didn't look at it as a game in which we just wanted to compete - we looked at it as a game we wanted to win and we had our opportunities," Higginbotham said.

"It was definitely our own fault, why we didn't win that game."

The Reds played arguably their best attacking rugby of the season on Friday night and Thorn said that was all part of the learning curve for his troops.

"It's the mindset," Thorn said.

"When you're a young guy, you're just learning your trade.It was a disappointing result for the Reds despite an improved showing. Photo: Getty Images"You're learning about skill sets and other things but also about turning up each week.

"You get a routine, you get a feel for being battle hardened and playing week to week.

"It takes time but we're easily the youngest team in the comp and I'm so proud of those boys.

"I'm asking a lot of them but they love it, they bring it and it bodes well for Queensland rugby going forward."

Taniela Tupou was the star of the show, scoring a well earned pick and drive try before setting up another with a devastating run but Thorn took a more wholesome view of his performance.

"He's a big lad - 133kg - but there are big lads all over the world and they all know how to tackle," he said.

"You want to have a complete game and I guess any player, they're searching for that complete game.

"He's at the beginning at tighthead of perhaps a 15 year career.

"He's got that special X-factor about him which is really cool - it's all part of it."

Share
McDermott demands more of Reds' defence as Brumbies blockbuster looms
'We're not here for a holiday' - Fines-Leleiwasa parks Fijian heritage
Liz Patu and Ivania Wong set to become Queensland's all time Women's cap leaders
Super Rugby Pacific Round Six Preview