Reds rally as floods force them out of Ballymore

The Waratahs hosted the Reds in a rain-soaked Leichhardt Oval.

Brisbane's flood emergency has forced the Queensland Reds to train at a local high school gym on Monday after Ballymore was inundated.

With their regular facilities unavailable, the Reds held a gym session at St Joseph's College on Gregory Terrace to continue their preparations for Friday's Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Western Force in Perth.

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Not all squad members were able to attend the session, however, with some Reds players dealing with flooded homes themselves.

"There are a few boys which, unfortunately, their houses are flooded at the moment," back-rower Harry Wilson said.

"We don't have full attendance today but as much of the squad got here who could.

"It's not ideal."

Footage of the damage at Ballymore, which backs onto Enoggera Creek, shows mud throughout the Reds' gym and fences bent and covered in debris after water flooded the facility on Sunday.

The gym at Ballymore covered in mud following the floods. Photo: QRU/Tom Mitchell
The gym at Ballymore covered in mud following the floods. Photo: QRU/Tom Mitchell

However, the Reds are refusing to use it as a distraction, eager to build after a 'gutsy' victory over the Waratahs.

“I thought it was really gutsy from us,” he added.

“Down in NSW, didn’t have much possession or ball at all but defensively we stepped up and gave it to them.

“That’s what we’re about as a team. We want to show up for each other and play for the state so we were pretty excited about the result

“We’ve faced many challenges over the past few years with COVID and now flooding so it’s about moving on. We know we have a big game coming this week against Force so for us, it’s not ideal but it’s a distraction with can move past."

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Meanwhile, officials are expected to meet later on Monday to decide the fate of Fijian Drua's home clash with the Rebels at Suncorp Stadium, which has also suffered flood damage.

The playing surface at Suncorp was almost completely submerged during the flooding with a decision on whether the match proceeds or is relocated is expected to be announced either late on Monday or on Tuesday.

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