1
Brad Thorn's praise for the Reds tradies who fell short against Crusaders
By AAP
Brad Thorn is optimistic his Queensland Reds' tradies will benefit from the ultimate apprenticeship after bowing out in a Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final loss to the Crusaders.
The Reds were beaten 37-15 in Christchurch on Friday, but not within giving the powerhouse side a mighty fright.
Down 16-8 at halftime, they scored first in the second half and would have led if five-eighth Lawson Creighton's penalty kick with 30 minutes to play had been accurate.
There were moments of brilliance in the four-tries-to-two loss, wingers Suliasi Vunivalu and Filipo Daugunu both heavily involved and scoring scintillating five-pointers.
But ultimately it was 11 straight losses to the Crusaders, 20 straight losses away to New Zealand sides and a 0-6 record against Kiwi outfits this season.
That comes after a pre-season focused on narrowing the gap between them and the New Zealand teams after the Reds won the 2021 domestic competition but were blown away in trans-Tasman play.
"There's been improvement but we have to go another step, or a couple more steps, because at the end of the day we want to win," coach Thorn said.
"Good sides, that's what they do, that's why they call it the money time. You've got to make the most of your opportunities.
"We went toe to toe, but credit to the Crusaders."
Injuries plagued them this season though, with James O'Connor and Taniela Tupou notable absences on Friday to headline a casualty ward that remained in the double figures.
The sheer number sidelined allowed the likes of second-rower Connor Vest, hooker Matt Faessler and five-eighth Lawson Creighton unexpected time in the saddle.
"You'd like to think there's been some real growth in the depth," Thorn said.
"Lawson is a tradie, still does a few cashie jobs, and he's running 10 against a World Cup star player in (Richie) Mo'unga.
"Our hooker is a chippie, going head-to-head with Codie Taylor and (lock) Ryan Smith called the lineout, he's an air-con electrician.
"It's really cool and I'm sure you'll see a lot more of them next year."
Thorn said co-captain Tate McDermott had been "knocked out cold" but had recovered to be walking and talking in the rooms after he was medi-cabbed from the field.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Jasmine Joyce: 'We don't want to be the men'
3
French reports rule Michael Cheika out of Racing job
4
Duhan van der Merwe injury update leaves Andy Farrell with a dilemma
5
Latest Comments
Williams, Faletau, Lake, Morgan are the only ones who have a chance. None of them are guaranteed but I'd imagine they'll pick Williams and Morgan who could get in on merit and will likely be favoured for inclusivity.
Williams is fighting it out with Ben White for 3rd slot behind JGP and Mitchell.
Morgan is up against JVDF, Earl, Curry, Curry, Willis for 4 flanker slots, he's definitely good enough but huge call to leave any of those boys at home.
Lake and Faletau are good enough but I'd be surprised if Faletau gets picked over Conan and Lake would be up against Cowan-Dickie which I can't see happening. Blair Murray is probably 4th in the 15 pecking order behind Kinghorn, Heenan, Marcus Smith. He's probably a better 15 than Smith but Smith brings versatility so would be favoured. Since Smith may go on tour as a 10/15 hybrid, they would already have 3 fullbacks in the squad so Murray won't make it, good player though.
Nicky Smith and Dafydd Jenkins clutching at straws.
Go to commentsYep, if he really is the guy, they should have been able to know that then and stick with him despite the calamity. I think everyone knows about the other teams success that did that after having near equally as bad an exit.
If I had to put money on either side, it wouldn’t be for the RFU record making a decision like that. Tough one though.
Go to comments