Reds must 'toughen up'
SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Reds will need to show a lot more resolve in 2019, if they are to shed their also-rans tag.
New recruit Sefa Naivalu said he is excited about working with Brad Thorn at the Reds – a disciplinarian, who thrives on hard work.
The Reds snapped up the 10-times capped Wallaby, Naivalu, from the Rebels in the off-season.
Naivalu, who featured in 46 Super Rugby games for the Rebels, will give the Reds some much-needed firepower out wide.
He knows the Reds have a steep hill to climb, from their 13th-place finish last year.
“We must toughen up when things don’t go our way,” Naivalu said, when asked about working under Thorn.
“[We must get] stuck in and execute the game plan.”
* Meanwhile the Reds revealed they will ramp-up their preparations for the 2019 Super Rugby season with two exciting pre-season games in February.
The Reds return to their spiritual home next month, as they host the two-time champion Chiefs on Friday, February 8 at Ballymore.
The Reds will also travel to Victoria to take on the Melbourne Rebels on Friday, February 1 in Ballarat.
“It’s an exciting time of the year,” Reds coach Brad Thorn said.
“We’ve worked hard in pre-season.
“We’re looking forward to putting together what we’ve worked on over the past couple of months against two good sides.”
The Reds kick off their Super Rugby season in Week Two – in Dunedin against the Highlanders on Friday, February 22, before hosting 2018 champion Crusaders in Brisbane on Saturday, March 2.
In addition to the Crusaders, the Reds also play at home against fellow Kiwi team the Blues, plus Australian rivals the Waratahs, Brumbies and Rebels, South African side the Stormers, as well as the Sunwolves and Jaguares.
