Reds to focus on the man in the mirror
The Queensland Reds will spend more time this week looking in the mirror than at their next Super Rugby AU opponents NSW Waratahs after their heart-breaking loss last round. The Reds looked like they would inflict the Brumbies' first loss of the season before conceding a penalty after fulltime, which Mack Hansen slotted for a 22-20 victory.
Before their clash with the Waratah on Saturday night at the SCG, Queensland skipper Liam Wright says they were their own worst enemy against the Brumbies, incurring a 12-7 penalty count.
"Our discipline was a big factor throughout the game," Wright said on Monday.
"We knew that their game plan would be to get penalties, go to a lineout and go to their maul which they did and our defence held really strong, which was a positive, but we didn't restrict their game plan."
In addition to ill-discipline, the Queensland Reds were let down by their lineout as they lost five including one in the dying minutes to hand over critical possession.
The Waratahs impressed in that area in their round three clash with the Brumbies, putting Wright on high alert.
"That plagued us earlier in the season and it cost us in crucial moments - we had a must-win ball at the end which we lost and it gave them another opportunity to win the game," Wright said.
"The Waratahs took apart the Brumbies with their lineout and set-piece so it's a part of their game they're really strong at and we're going to have to fix up."
The Reds defeated NSW 32-26 in their Super Rugby AU round one encounter and Wright said they would revisit the match this week, but that most attention would be inward.
"The focus will be on ourselves as it's been more us shooting ourselves in the foot so it be will be on our game and our discipline," he said.
Latest Comments
Etzebeth went on to say: “I would never dream of saying that systems stay in place following a change in captain. To say that would be deeply, deeply, disrespectful of Siya. A while back an Irish person told me they would be fine without Sexton, so I’m just responding to that.”
Go to commentsClose games are what we want to see…. What a match it was…. I am sure that everyone was drained by the end of it. The reality of it all there has to be a winner and a loser. The fact that we still talking about it is almost 6 months to the day Rugby is the winner.. Asante sana… Here is to 2027 and what it will bring out.
Go to comments