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'We just didn't play the right options': Reds captain's stark admission following Force loss
By AAP
Queensland Reds captain Liam Wright says he will learn from his roll-of-the-dice tactics that ended up costing his team a shot at victory in Friday night’s 30-27 loss to the Western Force.
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The Reds were handed two penalties in front of the posts in the dying minutes of the match, but on both occasions they opted for a scrum instead of taking the easy three points.
A successful penalty would have levelled the scores at 30-30 and more than likely sent the match into extra time.
The Force were down to 14 men for the first scrum, but back to their full complement for the second.
The home side held firm both times, eventually winning a turnover and sealing a famous win that secured them a historic finals berth.
Queensland’s first loss of the season didn’t really matter given they had already locked up top spot and a home grand final.
Reds coach Brad Thorn wasn’t upset at Wright’s decision to go for the win, saying he backs the players out on the field to make the right call.
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Wright says he will use the experience as a learning tool.
“In hindsight we’d still be in the game if we took those three points,” Wright said. “We felt we had a bit of momentum going forward. We trusted our scrum.
“We just didn’t play the right options there towards the end. That’s something I’ve got to wear and try to learn from it and hopefully grow from that as a captain.”
Thorn felt his side’s first loss of the season could end up being a blessing in disguise ahead of their home grand final against the Force or the Brumbies on May 8.
“It’s a nice little uppercut isn’t it?” Thorn said. “You often learn a bit more from a loss than a win.”
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Queensland players and staff may have to quarantine for three days upon arriving back in Brisbane following Western Australia’s COVID-19 lockdown.
The Force, who take on the Brumbies in a semi-final on Saturday, are unsure when they will fly out to Canberra.
