Brad Thorn is confident Queensland can fill the on-field hole left by Izack Rodda and Harry Hockings when Super Rugby AU kicks off.
Queensland were left with somewhat of a void in their second row after the departures of Rodda and Hockings, who were released from their deals last month.
Thorn said he had no hard feelings towards the pair, and Isaac Lucas, and was quick to take a pragmatic view of life without them.
"With all three of those guys you wish them well as young men," he said.
"It's not as though you hate them, they made their decisions, I don't agree with those decisions, they'll do what they're doing there and in the meantime we've just got to get on with what we're doing.
"It doesn't mean I wouldn't talk to them or see them in the future but it's been disappointing."
Rising star Angus Blyth has already proven himself an exciting prospect and would be expected to fill one of the starting spots in the second row but exactly who his partner will be remains to be seen.
Brothers lock Ryan Smith was brought into the squad after training with the group in the preseason while Thorn pointed to utility forward Tuaina Taii Tualima as another option.
The latter is a Brisbane State High School product who has impressed for Brisbane City in recent seasons alongside Smith.
“We’ve lost some tall timber there, losing them, but we've had Ryan Smith come in from brothers there, got Tuaina Taii Tualima who plays in that six, lock role as well,” Thorn said.
“Something I feel like we've done really well at this club is we bring through the young talent, you've seen that happen and we also, we can bring club players in and get good results there as well, Jock Campbell, Scotty Malolua, there's a whole heap of them.
After months of training in isolation and then small groups with little confirmation about the competition, Thorn said it was hugely positive to have a concrete idea of the upcoming schedule.
“It's important that got done isn't it, that we knew we were going to be playing rugby come third and fourth of July,” he said.
“We've been in a moment of history....how good is it that we've got a date, date set and we've got a competition and we can play some rugby. It's not overly complicated is it?”
While there has been positive news in the recovery of impressive no. 8 Harry Wilson and centre Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia is still working his way back from a shoulder injury he suffered in training.
Having watch the NRL return and the AFL also back this week, Thorn said the playing group simply welcomed the chance to return to rugby.
FULL SUPER RUGBY AU DRAW CONFIRMED
“We're rugby players, we want to play some footy,” he said.
“You've seen the league, they've been ripping in, AFL is getting their stuff together. We just want to do what we do, this is what we do and hopefully provide some good entertainment.
The Reds still have three weeks to decide on their 23 for their opening Super Rugby AU clash, against the Waratahs, and they expect to have the services of some handy players
No.8 Harry Wilson has recovered from a knee injury he suffered in the final minutes of Queensland's last Super Rugby clash against the Bulls and centre Hunter Paisami is also making strides in his own return from a knee complaint
The news isn't so positive for Jordan Petaia, still with the rehab group as he works his way back from a shoulder injury suffered back in February.
The Reds take on the Waratahs on Friday July 3 at Suncorp Stadium, kicking off at 7:05pm AEST, LIVE on Foxtel, Foxtel Now and Kayo Sports.
