Horwill answers Reds' SOS

Reds coach Richard Graham has made a dramatic about turn in his stance on suspended Wallaby lock James Horwill.

Horwill was initially excluded from the Reds' 27-man squad for their two-week tour to South Africa, after copping a one-game ban for striking an opponent in the 15-23 loss to the Rebels.

Graham explained the decision to leave to the veteran lock at home by saying that he needed a full quota of players to prepare with.

However, subsequent to their 22-43 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria at the weekend, the reds coach sent an SOS to Horwill – who will join the team in the build-up to their encounter with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein this coming Saturday.

Graham admitted to being "disappointed" with Horwill's conduct against the Rebels, but said the former Wallaby captain's passion for the Reds means he is vital to their cause.

The Reds, with one win from eight starts – with a six-match losing streak.

And with the Cheetahs having ended their Australasian tour with a win over the Western Force at the weekend, Graham is expecting "confident" opponents, who will also have the "energy" that comes with being back home.

Graham was full of praise for the "effort" his team put in against the Bulls, especially during the opening exchanges of the second half.

Despite dominating possession and collecting a four-try bonus point, the Reds failed to push home the advantages they had in the game and lost convincingly.

The Reds' four tries were scored by Nick Frisby, Lachie Turner, Will Genia and replacement Marco Kotze. Turner added one conversion.

The Bulls' tries were scored by Marcel van der Merwe, Piet van Zyl, Burger Odendaal, captain Pierre Spies and a double to Francois Hougaard. Jaccques-Louis Potgieter added three conversions and a penalty with Tian Schoeman also landing two conversions.  

"We were probably guilty of playing too much rugby in the first half and not capitalising on a number of opportunities we created," the coach said.

He said the Bulls got most of their first-half points through "simple, methodical pressure" that saw them race into a 24-5 lead.

"Unfortunately two of their first half tries were long range from our own turnovers and the third from a high ball which we couldn't control.

"The endeavour was good, we just need to manage the game a bit better," Graham added.

With their two frontline kickers – Quade Cooper and James O'Connor – ruled out through injury, Turner was tasked with taking the kicks at goal and slotting just one from four.

However, they were never able to build the required scoreboard pressure.

"We weren't able to capitalise on that, with the opportunities we created," the coach said, adding: "No fault to [Lachlan] Turner – he spent all week practicing. At this level he just isn't a recognised kicker.

"However, that wasn't the aspect of the game that let us down – it was the soft moments that cost us the game.

"The group was confident of turning things around in the second half due to the amount of possession and position we had. We changed a few things and started the second half really well with a high tempo and points.

"From 5-24 down at half-time to 22-29 down 15 minutes later we had some momentum.

"However, failure to execute a few plays and some soft moments allowed them to regain control."

He said the Bulls have a tried and tested formula.

"It is simple, methodical and effective. It is about creating pressure and we didn't handle that well enough on a number of occasions.

"To score four tries at Loftus is a good achievement and usually enough to win the game.

"However to concede six and in the manner we did is disappointing. It is something we will need to address this week in the lead up to the Cheetahs."

The Reds could also regain the services of James O'Connor, who missed the Bulls defeat due to a calf strain.

@rugby365com