Reds eager to eradicate \"lazy\" defensive errors

Tue, Apr 17, 2018, 6:36 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Aidan Toua and the Reds have addressed some lacklustre defensive lapses. Photo: Getty Images
Aidan Toua and the Reds have addressed some lacklustre defensive lapses. Photo: Getty Images

Reds fans can expect an uptick in effort from their side this weekend, after some "lazy decisions" were made in the loss against the Waratahs.

After conceding the second least points in Super Rugby through the opening month the Reds have allowed 82 points through their last two starts.

A continuation of that trend will see the Chiefs cruise past them at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday and Aidan Toua said that had been a particular area of focus for the club.

"Against the Brumbies it was a genuine fatigue factor in that," Toua said.

“Our kicking game put pressure on them and we stayed in the right areas of the field but we just let them off through lazy decisions and looking for the easy way out.The Waratahs proved too good for Tou and the Reds. Photo: Getty Images“We will look to correct that this afternoon and leading into the game on Saturday.”

Another trend the Reds will be eager to buck is the windfall of points Australian sides have handed Kiwi opposition through their first two clashes this season.

In both the Rebels’ clash with the Hurricanes and the Brumbies’ clash with the Highlanders, a 20 minute burst has been all the New Zealand sides need to put 20 points on the board in devastating fashion.

“A common trend is being able to stick with them for 55, 60 minutes and then they just run away with it in the end,” Toua said.

“That's something we're conscious of and we will have a few little cues throughout the game when we get to different points in the game, just reminding everyone that this is where we have to dig in, stay in the game and stay switched on.Aidan Toua and Sam Treherne smile for the cameras. Photo: QRU Media/Brendan Hertel“They have so many options in their attacking arsenal, they know how to play quick ball, they know how to play slow ball, just being across everything, being switched on and converting.

“What they're really good at is converting opportunities and we just have to be ready for them.”

The last thing the Reds will be doing is pointing fingers, though, as Toua emphasised the importance of returning to what held Queensland in such good stead in their 3-1 start to the season.

“It's easy after successive losses to maybe start pointing fingers but we know the base of our game is there, we are creating opportunities, our defence has been really good for the first four or five rounds,” he said.

“We'll go back to what works for us and hopefully come up with the result on Saturday.”

The Reds face the Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS and RUGBY.com.au radio.

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