Jake Schatz and Reds paying tribute to women by wearing mothers’ names on jerseys

WEARING his late mother’s name on his jersey only formalises the feeling that Jake Schatz has every time he runs out in Brisbane.

Schatz and his Reds teammates will have their mum’s name on their backs.

WEARING his late mother’s name on his Reds jersey on Friday night only formalises the feeling that Jake Schatz has every time he runs on to Suncorp Stadium.

His mother Alison lost her fight with cancer three years ago yet the all-purpose No.8 still senses her influence with every career step he takes.

It will be no different against the Cheetahs when he rips in as part of the much-improved Reds effort he knows is coming from the pack.

“She’s always there,” Schatz said of his mother. “I think of how much she loved going to the footy and I always take a bit of mum into every game.’’

Schatz cooks his mother’s recipe for the tomato-based pasta he has made his pre-game ritual.

Queensland rugby is honouring Friday night’s game as Ladies Round to salute the major role women play in the code through volunteering, playing, officiating, nurturing the new breed or turning up as fans.

Each player will have their mother’s name on the back of a one-off jersey that has a pinked-up collar, trim and logo.

“It’s a great touch,’’ Schatz said. “My mum didn’t stop at washing my gear or ‘have you got your mouthguard?’ when I started in the under-6s at Sunnybank.

“If I copped a head high tackle, she wanted to go out and do something about it.

“If she had an opinion — ‘That ref’s terrible’ — she’d make it known.’’

He is forever appreciative that his Reds teammates wore black armbands in 2011 when his mum died.

“There are guys at the Reds who will help you through anything,’’ Schatz said.

That family-style bond of strength in good and bad is powerful at the Reds.

“As tough as last weekend’s (32-5) loss was to the Waratahs, the measure is how we bounce back,’’ Schatz said.

“We play four South African sides in a block. Finding that right mentality to take them on physically is a big part of where we need to get to because we didn’t against the Waratahs.

“We have to show the Suncorp Stadium crowd why they should keep coming back.’’

■ VERSATILE former Reds forward Jarrad Butler has been switched from No.8 to openside flanker by the ACT Brumbies to cover the loss of Wallabies flanker David Pocock (knee) for the season.

Pocock said on Twitter yesterday he was humbled by the support he had received, including a visit to his Brisbane hospital bed by Wallabies great Tim Horan.

“Pretty amazing having Tim Horan visit me in hospital. He gave me a copy of his and Jason Little’s book Perfect Union (that I read as a 15 year old and loved!) that has the story about his comeback from a knee reconstruction in it,’’ Pocock tweeted.

“Great to get some advice from someone who has come back from a knee injury far worse than mine.’’