‘Starting to find my feet’: Jock Campbell ‘excited’ as Reds find form

Jock Campbell’s season has gone a bit like the Queensland Reds’ but the understated back thinks he and the team are now finally finding their feet.

An ankle injury kept the Test fullback out of the Reds’ season-opener and, after making his Wallabies debut on last year’s European tour, he finds himself on the outer in a World Cup year.

Patrolling the backline with fellow winger or fullback Jordan Petaia, Campbell says he is finding form just as the Reds have rediscovered some sparkle.

Back-to-back wins have come since a mid-season bye Campbell rated as a crucial juncture in a stalling season that will be departing coach Brad Thorn’s last in charge.

“I’m starting to find my feet now, and as a team we’re in the same position,” he said.

“It was a positive review (of last weekend’s win over the Western Force) compared to some we’ve done this year.

“(During the bye week) we looked at our game honestly and it wasn’t good enough in a number of areas.

“It’s all to play for now. We’re excited.”

The Reds are sixth and will meet traditional rivals the Waratahs (seventh) in Townsville on Saturday, with Campbell’s sister Tina featuring for Queensland in the same day’s Super W final against Fijiana Drua.

“Much like us, the Waratahs are not where they want to be and this is a big game in respect to the season and general rivalry,” Jock Campbell said.

The Reds women came from behind to beat the ACT Brumbies last time out and lock in their decisive clash with the defending champions, who upset the undefeated NSW Waratahs to book their spot.

“It was funny, we were in the sheds about to run out and someone told us they won,” Tina Campbell said.

“We were all a bit shocked.

“The key against Fiji will be to shut down their offloads and don’t put the ball in their hands. So possession will be key … and this year we have the belief we can win.”