Queensland Reds coach Simon Craig is demanding a better performance from his side as they prepare for the Super W semi-final against the NSW Waratahs.
The Reds were dominated by the defending champions last week, falling to 'fire a shot' as they went down 46-0.
This ensures the Waratahs will host the semi-final at Eric Tweedale Oval on Thursday, with Craig brutal in his assessment.
“We’ve got to turn up for the game. I think across the park and all 23 players were still in Brisbane,” Craig put bluntly.
“We didn’t get there, we didn’t execute any of our shapes, didn’t fire a shot or ask any questions of the Waratahs and as a result, they easily racked up 46 points.
“If we don’t turn up mentally this week, we’ll see a similar result this week so we need to go down with a do or die attitude, we’ve got nothing to lose."
Craig has made several forced changes, with Aleena Greenhalgh ruled out after suffering a head knock during the defeat.
This allows Tina Campbell to come in for her start, with Craig impressed with her showing off the bench, whilst he opted to reinsert Sophie Holyman to the starting side to combat another slow start.
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Craig suggested the blow-out victory could leave the Waratahs suspectable of not changing up their game plan, looking to 'put some panic' in their attack and give themselves further opportunities.
“We’re going to travel differently this week and head down the day before, I think that’ll make a big difference because we won’t have the pressure of time constraints,” he believes.
“We’ve just focused on controlling our game (at training). We understand what the Waratahs will bring but I don’t think they’ll believe they need to change anything and for us, that’s a really good position to be in.
“If we play another 70% better than we did on the weekend, we’re going to ask a lot more questions and we’re going to put some panic in them and that’s what we want to be.”
