Brad Thorn says the Queensland Reds want to dethrone the Brumbies as Australia’s set-piece kings after his fresh-faced pack announced their Super Rugby arrival.
The Reds didn’t score a try, but Friday night’s 18-10 win was a marker all the same for Thorn’s rebuilding side.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar admitted they were “dominated” at times by the Reds, whose scrum superiority allowed them to retain a slender lead despite a late assault from the visitors.
Without two of their best forwards in the suspended Scott Higginbotham and Lukhan Tui, the Reds still turned in a performance that few had anticipated after their blowout season-opening loss to the Melbourne Rebels
“Scrummaging’s right up my alley. The Brumbies are renowned for their set piece in Australia,” Thorn said.
“For us they were a target. We really wanted to challenge them.
“That’s where we want to head.”
If it was a seminal moment for Queensland’s new generation, a disappointing crowd of 11,034 was on hand at Suncorp Stadium to see it.
Thorn was confident those attendances will improve once word spreads about how they want to play.
“I think what will bring back crowds is what they saw out there – they saw spirit, they saw Queenslanders, in my opinion, remembering who Queenslanders are and wearing that jersey proudly,” Thorn said.
“There was a connection there with the crowd. I felt like they liked what they saw.”
Captain James Slipper agreed.
“I know everyone wants to see the tries and all that, but we’re growing something here,” he said.
“It’s more about what we’re playing for and I think we saw a lot of that.”
Meanwhile, Thorn pleaded with rugby’s lawmakers to “let us enjoy some contact” after a controversial yellow card to Caleb Timu.
Timu was punished by referee Angus Gardner for leading with a tucked shoulder on Tom Banks, but the back-rower’s contact was to the body, not to the head.
“I see mixed martial arts going gangbusters all around the world, where they just go to war,” a bewildered Thorn said.
“There’s that side of the game, that’s what I loved.
“My time’s well and truly gone but to get in big trouble you had to spear tackle someone or really take their head off.
“It’s pretty stringent (now), I know they’re doing their best … (but) it’s a contact sport. Let us enjoy some contact.”
Stephen Creagh
Guest
And the Reds conceded just five (yes, that's 5) penalties all game, including the yellow card. The Brumbies gave away 13. Discipline is certainly not a problem.
Fionn
Guest
So we can agree at least one of the referees thought it may be a try (if not both), but we aren't certain which one it was :P ?
Dave_S
Guest
Yes it was a strange interplay between the officials I thought. My take on it was that because Gardner said no try, the TMO said he couldn’t see enough to overrule that, but really Gardner was saying “I don’t know” not “I know it wasn’t a try”. TheTMO seemed like he was hinting that if Gardner changed his mind to probable try, the TMO wasn’t prepared to overrule that either, and would let him award it. Otherwise why did the TMO say to Gardner “do you want to have another look”? Wasn’t aware the TMO can do that, I suspect that he’s not supposed to.
Drongo
Guest
Ha, ha, yeah TMan, I will.
Old Bugger
Guest
Thorn doesn't appear to me as a person with a fickle mind so, you can more or less give up on QC getting run unless, the current No10s all suffer season ending injuries. But here's an upside viewpoint. Lance is heading north after this season so, if this young side are struggling by midway on the table and with no injuries in the No 10 ranks well then, there's every chance that your second option may eventuate and Lance goes to 15 but rather than use QC, Thorn gives his younger No 10s, some game time and experience for next year. Other than that, this is a young side with plenty of time, to gain some game time and experience.
Jacko
Guest
Yes 2 nil on the try count and 18-10 on the score board...
Jacko
Guest
Yeah youre right...Certainly the head contact seems to be automatic yellow these days and after the Blues ...Cheifs game on friday night it certainly hasnt reduced the phyicality from the game so its just about adjusting to the new rules i guess
Jacko
Guest
because they are young and will learn....seemed obvious to me
Jacko
Guest
No worries ADSA that would make your post a fictitous post about a fictitoius post about someone you have no idea how much they earn or what they have achieved in life eh? So glad you have decided who is allowed to post and what their opinion must be
rebel
Guest
I know how Drongo feels after my team got a win against the blues.
Fionn
Guest
I got the feeling that Gardner thought that it may be a try and the video ref thought that he didn't? Anyway, agree that was a very close call and could have gone either way.
Fionn
Guest
I think he played very well aside from goal kicking. Only took on shot, but it was awful. I suspect it will improve but even if not, not such an issue if Hodge can kick though.
Clifto
Guest
I didn't see the game, so can someone tell me how well Lealiifano played? I am nursing hopes that he will be a real alternative option at 10 for the WBs and put real pressure on Foley for the spot
Dave_S
Guest
There’s only one “eye” in “Fionn” ;) Thor got the ball down. The video ref even told Gardner to have another look at.
Hello
Roar Rookie
Agree
Taylorman
Guest
Ha ha, who’d be a Reds fan, moan when they lose, moan when they win. Drongo you’re a constant negative. Try to enjoy the rest of the weekend despite your side winning. ???
Train Without A Station
Guest
Why is it? No ACT team. No NT team. Not de-railing anybody else’s enjoyment of the game does not equal rolling over and accepting it.
Fionn
Guest
Fair. Maybe I'm wrong and I need to rewatch it.
rebel
Guest
My thoughts exactly. We've all been told how and why the Reds will struggle. That must then ring some alarm bells for a team that lost to them as well as struggled last week. Still early doors though.
rebel
Guest
I'm with you Shano. They looked like scoring quite a few times.