The controversial admission of the hated Blue Paul Gallen to the Waratahs camp further reinforced the sense of the country of origin of the Queensland-NSW Super Rugby AU clash on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Much to the surprise of Reds coach Brad Thorn, the former Blues Rugby League captain, Gallen, was invited last week to speak to the Waratahs team about the rivalry between the two states.
“I didn’t know our blisters should bring people in,” Thorn said, asking why Gallen was allowed to defy the COVID-19 isolation rules to speak to the Waratahs.
Red captain Liam Wright declared former Queensland striker Thorn “our Paul Gallen” to motivate his troops.
“He doesn’t have to inflate it too much,” Wright said.
“We are Queenslanders and Queensland wants to smash NSW. It’s up here in the water.
“We can hardly wait and it was definitely the usual intensity for an NSW game. In the first round we can’t wait to get involved.
“We are really looking forward to smashing a few New South Welshmen. Ask one of the boys, this is game number one on his calendar. “
Thorn repeated his captain’s views before the start of the Super Rugby AU competition.
“Who better to fight the Waratahs?” said the Reds coach.
“The game means a lot to both sides. They prepare as best they can.
“New South Wales-Queensland, it is the oldest rugby rivalry in Australia.
“It’s just fantastic what a great start to the Super Rugby competition. We hope we have a really good turnout.”
It is assumed that up to 14,000 fans may participate in the game due to social distance regulations.
“We were in a moment in history – 100 years since the Spanish flu. It was a difficult four months, but as a group – both players and employees – we worked hard for each other and adapted to the challenges, ”said Thorn.
The teams last met in Dalby in January. The Reds ended a series of eleven defeats against the Waratahs with a 28:19 win.
But Thorn said that little can be said about this result.
“You have had a lot of dominance in the past three, four, five years. Any team that has test players on the bench (like Jack Dempsey) will be up here to do a job, ”said Thorn.
Lock Tuaina Taii Tualima and full-back Josh Flook are a chance to make their Queensland debut after both were named on the bench.
Captain Wright switches to the blindside flanker in a newly mixed Reds striker package, and the open-side flanker Fraser McReight starts for Queensland for the first time.
After overcoming a torn MCL, Harry Wilson will land in 8th place.
Tate McDermott will be partner of James O’Connor in half, while Hamish Stewart and Hunter Paisami have been named at the centers.
Jock Campbell was placed in the wing, Bryce Hegarty was elected as full-back.
Reds team for Friday’s game against the Waratahs – 1st Harry Hoopert, 2nd Brandon Paenga-Amos, 3rd Taniela Tupou, 4th Angus Blyth, 5th Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6th Liam Wright ©, 7th Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson, 9th Tate McDermott, 10th James O’Connor, 11th Philip Daugunu, 12th Hamish Stewart, 13th Hunter Paisami, 14th Jock Campbell, 15th Bryce Hegarty. Bank: 16th Alex Mafi, 17th JP Smith, 18th Josh Nasser, 19th Fifth Five, 20th Angus Scott-Young, 21st Scott Malolua, 22nd Chris Follower-Always, 23rd Josh Flook.
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