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'We just didn't play the right options': Reds captain's stark admission following Force loss

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

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.

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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.

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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