Five things we learned from Reds v Hurricanes clash

BRAD Thorn is building a team with real grit, Taniela Tupou displays his Test credentials and Samu Kerevi stepped up again. Some of the five things we learned from Red v Hurricanes.

Ardie Savea of the Hurricanes runs at George Smith (right) and Izack Rodda of the Reds on Friday night.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED ABOUT THE REDS

1. The fight-to-the-end attitude and physicality that coach Brad Thorn is driving at the Reds is real. It’s inconsistent but it’s real and the four-try showing against the Hurricanes was fearless and full of merit from young and old. You should always be dirty after a loss but there was honour to this one.

2. Reds winger Filipo Daugunu can score a wonderful try but his defence is not yet Super Rugby-quality. He gets bounced off too many times after making a solid-enough initial hit. He’s an unfinished project much like the Reds.

MATCH: Reds go close against Hurricanes

Ardie Savea of the Hurricanes runs at George Smith (right) and Izack Rodda of the Reds on Friday night.

3. SANZAAR referee appointments boss Lyndon Bray should yellow card himself for the dumb call to install Kiwi Ben O’Keeffe as ref a week after his poor showing in the Crusaders-Waratahs game because he made a hash of more key moments in this match.

4. Centre Samu Kerevi is growing as a player. He really stood up against the Hurricanes and constantly monstered metres through a top Kiwi defence. He’s Test centre material and the smart dabbed kicks that worked against the Lions recently are extra dimensions.

5. Tongan Thor. Aussie Thor. Whatever the tag, he’s a beauty. He’s just 22 but took it on himself to rip in and set the example with his big ball-carting but never at the expense of a solid scrum. Taniela Tupou, Test prop. It has the right ring to it.

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Originally published as Five things we learned from Reds v Hurricanes clash