Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Decision made on Reds COVID-19 scare as Brad Thorn provides play-off inspiration

(Photo by Teaukura Moetaua/Getty Images)

In a side stacked with fresh faces, Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn has stepped in to fill the experience void this week.

ADVERTISEMENT

The team itself is light on post-season tales to tell ahead of Saturday’s Super Rugby AU preliminary final against the Melbourne Rebels.

But the former All Black, Crusaders, Brisbane Broncos and Queensland State of Origin dual-code great has more than enough stories to share.

Video Spacer

Redds prop JP Smith speaks to media before Super Rugby AU final play-off

Video Spacer

Redds prop JP Smith speaks to media before Super Rugby AU final play-off

“He’s spoken a lot more this week about his experiences, because he won pretty much everything,” Reds back rower Harry Wilson said.

“He’s just said to prepare better and make sure when you’re going out there you’ve got no regrets.

“So we had an intense session today; we don’t want to leave anything out on the field.”

Like many of his current teammates, the 20-year-old Wilson was a kid in the stands in 2011 when the Reds last won the Super Rugby decider.

That remains their most-recent taste of finals success, Wilson admitting the chance to play under that sort of pressure has been an unexpected bonus from an extraordinary season.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Pre-COVID we weren’t sitting in the best spot, so to have a second chance is exciting and it should help us all in pretty much everyone’s first finals series,” he said.

“We’re excited to test ourselves on the bigger stage with a bit more on the line, in do-or-die footy.”

Wilson’s slick hands and expansive mindset are a common theme of Thorn’s adventurous side, which has also tightened its defence to leak just two tries from the last three games.

That came after a 45-12 loss to the Waratahs in early August that Wilson said was a line-in-the-sand moment.

ADVERTISEMENT

“That was the week we thought ‘we can’t ever do that again’,” Wilson said.

The Reds are bracing for a 20,000-strong crowd on Saturday, more than double the Suncorp Stadium record since sport’s return.

Meanwhile replacement prop Ruan Smith, unable to train with the side on Monday after reporting flu-like symptoms, has been cleared to return after recording a negative COVID-19 test.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

R
RedWarrior 34 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

8 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors Scott Robertson responds about handling errors
Search