Reds vow southeast Queensland’s severe weather won’t derail their Super Rugby Pacific campaign

The Reds continue to overcome adversity in a tough but successful start to their Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

The Queensland Reds have promised to “move past” the “distraction” of flooding that has engulfed their Ballymore base.

Southeast Queensland’s extreme weather forced the Reds into the St. Joseph’s College (Gregory Terrace) school gymnasium on Monday.

And ahead of their Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Western Force in Perth, the Reds are only a slim chance of training at Ballymore, which will mean at least one session elsewhere.

“For us it’s about Ballymore and trying to get it cleaned up as quick as we can and trying to get back there training,” said Reds No.8 Harry Wilson, who added that some players’ houses had been flooded.

“Obviously it’s not ideal, but for us we’ve got to get ready and keep training. We’re lucky enough that Terrace looked after us today because Ballymore’s under water.

“Over the last few years we’ve had many challenges with Covid and now with flooding, so for us it’s trying to move on as quick as we can.

“It’s a distraction, but we can move past it and prepare for the weekend. We’ve got a big game against the Force.”

Stay safe Brisbane#Ballymore#bnefloodspic.twitter.com/52ZrR2dTiJ

— Queensland Reds (@Reds_Rugby) February 27, 2022

The Reds have opened the new season with successive wins over the Melbourne Rebels and NSW Waratahs.

However, those victories have come at a cost, with injuries mounting.

Currently sidelined are co-captains Liam Wright (shoulder) and Tate McDermott (ankle), centre Hunter Paisami (knee), flanker Angus Scott-Young (knee) and prop Taniela Tupou (bank)

Halfback McDermott and Scott-Young are facing four to six weeks on the sidelines after being forced off in the Reds’ 20-16 win over the Waratahs last Friday night at Leichhardt Oval.

“I thought it was really gutsy from us,” Wilson said.

“(We were) down in NSW, we didn’t have much possession but defensively we really stepped up and gave it to them.

“That’s what we’re all about as a Queensland team. We want to show up, play for each other and play for the state.

“We were pretty stoked with the result.”

Originally published as Reds vow southeast Queensland’s severe weather won’t derail their Super Rugby Pacific campaign