Reds 'to flick the switch' after loss
The Reds will look to put the disappointment of an opening round Super Rugby loss to the Brumbies behind them when they return to Suncorp Stadium for the first time in 2013 next Saturday and host the NSW Waratahs.
The Reds were unable to continue their recent dominance over the Brumbies in a 24-6 loss in Canberra on Saturday but will regroup over seven days and set out to make amends in their home opener against their interstate arch rivals, the Waratahs.
The match has been themed as the Reds Heritage Round as part of Queensland Rugby's 130th anniversary celebrations in 2013.
“We are disappointed with the outcome but the challenge for next week doesn’t change,” Director of Coaching Ewen McKenzie said.
“You need to be good at flicking the switch and moving on to the next opportunity. If you fall off the horse you get back on it and keep going. We’ve already started work on the Waratahs.”
Saturday’s highly anticipated match was as expected a hard-fought encounter, especially at the breakdown, where the Reds earned the ire of the officials to end the game behind on the penalty count 13-8.
Despite the scoreline, the Reds will take a number of positives from their performance in defence with the Brumbies’ two tries coming off a nicely weighted grubber kick and a last minute interception.
The Reds’ only points came through the boot of fullback Mike Harris although they did show promise at various stages only to be let down by their ball control at crucial moments in the match.
“There were aspects of our defence that I was pleased with and that is always a very good indicator to where the team is at attitudinally,” McKenzie said.
“One of the things you talk about at pre-season on day one is that you want to get your defence right and then you build your attack. I’ve got no doubt our attack will improve.
“But, in the end, they were able to generate enough pressure and when you start playing catch-up you start pushing things. You saw that with the intercept at the end.
“When it was 8-6 [at half-time] it was anyone’s game at that point, but you get down to the little moments which allowed them to get in front and then we had to chase.”
