mobanmarketIt’s taken close to three full seasons but the Reds have finally found the halves combination that can lead the club out of the Super Rugby cellar.
Nick Frisby, James Tuttle and Ben Lucas have all had their chances to fill the enormous hole left by Will Genia’s departure at the end of 2015 and while Tuttle in particular has been harshly dealt with, Moses Sorovi’s first start against the Waratahs reinvigorated Queensland’s attack.
He created countless opportunities either side of the breakdown, cleared the ball with haste and delivered clean service to Hamish Stewart, too.
It was refreshing to watch a Reds halfback take the game on and refuse to kick the ball away from attacking positions – a facet of the Queensland attack which has limited their point scoring capabilities all season.
“I thought Moses was outstanding,” coach Brad Thorn said.“The thing that was exciting about those two together was the speed and a little bit of craziness.
“They’re young they might just do something and Moses is really strong – he’s quite strong around the ruck.
“There was some real willingness to use the ball as well, which was good to see.”
Hamish Stewart will be doing some extra goal kicking practice through the June break as his radar was amiss on Saturday but he was otherwise serviceable running a Reds attack which caused their opposition constant concern for the first time this season.
He looks the man to lead the club’s attack moving forward but it won’t matter what kind of attacking arsenal he develops if the Reds defence doesn’t improve.
They laid some serious hits on the Waratahs but the NSW attack appeared far too complex for Queensland’s young side.
“I guess that’s a bit easier when there is a shot there to be made but in attack when you are out in open space and there are different runners and you have to have your smarts about you – that’s a real growth for us,” Thorn said.
“You can’t let teams score some of those tries, they were a little too easy, weren’t they.”
Reds skipper Scott Higginbotham – who was outstanding on both sides of the ball – shared the same view.
“Defensively I think we’re a young team and we’ve been really good in our goal line defence but it’s being smart and being able to read attack, like Thorny is saying,” he said.
“We’re a bit young in that sense and the boys are still obviously learning their trade.”
Caleb Timu is one of those players learning his trade and his 34 minute Wallabies audition – with Michael Cheika and his staff watching on at Suncorp Stadium – will have him right in the frame to earn his first Test cap against Ireland on Saturday.
“Once he works out the rest of his game there’s no doubt that he will be a world class player,” Higginbotham said.
“You’ve just got to give him time and let him figure it out.”
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