Calls for Reds youngsters to step up in wake of high-profile departures as friendships put to the side
Angus Blyth is simultaneously learning the finer points of rugby and still getting schooled in the gym by his Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn.
But it's the perfect place to be as the 21-year-old lock pins his ears back for a starting berth in a Reds side with Super Rugby finals aspirations this year.
"It's the little details in line-out work, scrum details, jumping technique - things you brush a bit when thinking about the big picture," he said of Thorn's guidance.
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And what about in the weights room?
"Not yet (I haven't out-lifted dual international Thorn); he's still pretty athletic and pretty fit for a dad."
Good mates Harry Hockings, Izack Rodda and the versatile Lukhan Salakaia-Loto are among those jostling for minutes with Blyth.
But Blyth, who measures up at 120kg and 204cm, will get a great chance to impress in Friday's trial match against the Melbourne Rebels in Gladstone.
"The goal is just to rip in," he said.
"I'm good friends with both Izack and Harry, have played with both and have a good pairing with both.
"'I've got a bit of competition in my role, which is healthy, which is needed, so I'll just give everything in the trial and see what I've got."
Absent from Super Rugby finals since 2013, the Reds have lost captain and go-to man Samu Kerevi to Japanese rugby this season.
Liam Wright, at just 22, has earned the captaincy ahead of last season's vice-captain in Rodda.
"I don't think you can actually replace someone like that, that's put in such a big shift for Queensland," Blyth said of Kerevi.
"But it's time for the younger guys to step; they'll all be putting their hand up to take that role ... and that will be good for the future."
- AAP
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The Saracens players are the ones who brought this habit into the England team and to be fair they rarely lose, they have a very strong winning culture. It is however very embarrassing when you suck.
Go to commentsYes but it will be very hard game for the ABs, Ireland will want some pay back and they are a fine team who can play the running dynamic game like we do. It was 3 tries all in the QF with some great rugby by both sides. We will probably see a good game and as you say not much in it. I am less worried than normal as I feel like our team is changing for the future at the moment, with the new coach, so we will get better over time. There is a lot of new talent coming through.
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