The Reds are making no excuses for their poor performance last week as they prepare for a blockbuster matchup with the Crusaders on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium.
Heading into Super Rugby Trans-Tasman as the Australian champions, the Reds were humbled by the Highlanders 40-19, just six days after their biggest triumph in ten years.
Watch every minute of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
Whilst many will point to the short turnaround and widespread changes as the reasoning behind the performance, the Reds are taking full responsibility for the loss.
For Reds and Wallabies forwards Taniela Tupou and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, a weekend of partying and celebrating was no excuse for what they produced on Friday.
“We’re not going to sit there and make any excuses for partying, we just weren’t prepared enough for the Highlanders," Tupou said on Monday.
“We know what we need to work on especially against Crusaders which will be a big one so we’ll be up for it."
“We definitely had some days to enjoy what we did but we went straight back into work so we make no excuse,” Salakaia-Loto added.
“This week we’ve got a big job at task. The good thing that we’re back at Suncorp so hopefully, we get a good crowd like two weeks ago.”
It's uncharted territory to see two Super Rugby teams come into as champions, however, that's what will happen on Saturday when the two teams face off.
Not only that but it will be ten years since the Reds' upset the Crusaders for arguably their biggest triumph: winning the 2011 Super Rugby title.
With the Reds optimistic of a strong crowd at Suncorp, Salakaia-Loto was eager to bounce back and keep their Final ambitions alive.
“We’re up against a world-class and quality Crusaders side and there definitely no easy-beats,” he said.
“We’re going to have to be at our best and playing the Queensland rugby we know we can play.
“We can’t really drop games. We know that as does every other team so we really want to get some results and continuing our form from the start of the year.”
READ MORE:
FULL FAITH: Marinos backs Wallabies
SUPER HOOPER?: Wallabies captain could be back
POWER RANKINGS: Ranking top TT performers
After their second loss in three games, Tupou believes the side has learnt from their mistakes and are ready for their championship face-off.
"They won their comp last week and we won ours so we’re looking forward to it. It was a tough game last week and we’ll learn from that and get better this week,” Tupou added.
“It’s just the little things that we need to be better at, we’ll watch the game and work on what we need to improve.”
