Queensland Reds centre Josh Flook believes the pursuit of 'excellence' is motivating the club in 2022 as they adapt to the challenges of COVID.
The Reds enter the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific eager to find another level after their Super Rugby AU triumphs, hurt by a lack of results in Trans-Tasman.
According to Flook, this has seen the entire squad raise their standards as they hunt for the title.
“It’s just about getting better overall. We have the word ‘excellence’ that we put forward at the start of the season and that’s what we’ve been working through the whole time,” he told the media.
“We’ve just based our pre-season on everyone getting physically and mentally better in all aspects of the game. It’s been really good and all the boys have bought into it, making it a great pre-season and good fun with all the boys.”
The Reds have already run into significant hurdles during their pre-season trials, losing a number of key players before last week's defeat to the Force, including James O'Connor and Jordan Petaia.
They will return as they travel to Roma to face the Waratahs, however, Wallabies Tate McDermott and Hunter Paisami remain unavailable.
“Obviously it sucks to see a couple of boys come down with COVID but it will be good to see how we can adapt to that and see which boys step up and fill those roles,” Flook said.
“It’ll be good to see how the boys play this weekend and we’re looking forward to getting them back next week.”
They were joined in isolation by coach Brad Thorn, forcing assistants Jim McKay and Michael Todd to step up in his absence.
Thorn is expected to join the squad in Roma, with Flook and fullback Mac Grealy expecting his presence to galvanise the squad.
“It’s a bit different, bit of his spark up isn’t there so the boys have had to find their energy within ourselves and other coaches,” Grealy said.
“It’s certainly been a bit different but that’s just life at the moment, business as usual and we’ve just been ticking our boxes and getting ready for this weekend.
“(Brad Thorn) is just that leader to look up so it was a bit different not having him around the group so it’ll be nice to have him back and leading us,” Flook added.
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