Brutal travel period sets Reds ‘on each other’s nerves’

The brutal realities of travel in the Super Rugby competition have taken a toll on the Queensland Reds as they approach the final leg of their round-the-world trip.

Queensland Reds winger Jock Campbell is tackled by Hunter Paisami during training in Johannesburg. Picture: QRU / Tom Mitchell

The brutal realities of travel in the Super Rugby competition have taken a toll on the Queensland Reds as they approach the final leg of their round-the-world trip.

The team’s taxing travel schedule has frayed the nerves of the playing group but learning to overcome those distractions will be vital if the team plans on playing into the finals.

The Reds pulled out of South Africa hours just hours after securing a losing bonus point in a 27-20 loss to the Lions in Johannesburg.

Queensland Reds winger Jock Campbell is tackled by Hunter Paisami during training in Johannesburg. Picture: QRU / Tom Mitchell

Business class flights to Sao Paulo in Brazil took the edge off but the frustrations of international travel ring true as the players edge closer to circumnavigating the globe in little over two weeks.

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“Last night the boys were getting on each other’s nerves a bit,” Gold Coast winger Jock Campbell admitted.

“After leaving ‘Jo-burg’ after the game on Sunday, a 10-11 hour flight to Sao Paulo.

“We stayed there a couple of hours and another couple of hours, I think three, to Buenos Aires.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 08: Courtnall Skosan of the Lions fights for possession with Jock Campbell of the Reds during the Super Rugby match between Emirates Lions and Reds at Emirates Airline Park on February 08, 2020 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

“We’re here now and we had a good night’s sleep and we’re all happy again.”

Campbell and the Reds were ready to leave Johannesburg behind them after errors at critical moments allowed the Lions to come back from trailing 17-20 with 15 minutes to play.

“We didn’t execute as well as we would have liked in some crucial areas, which is disappointing,” Campbell said.

“We know if we do execute we’re going to be a really tough team to beat and I can’t wait to show that to the fans and the rest of the competition.”

The Reds will host the Sunwolves at Suncorp Stadium in two weeks’ time but a challenging battle with Argentinian heavyweights the Jaguares must be dealt with first.

“It’s pretty much their national team which is an awesome challenge,” the 24-year-old TSS product said.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 08: Bryce Hegarty of the Reds with possession challenged by Tyrone Green of the Lions during the Super Rugby match between Emirates Lions and Reds at Emirates Airline Park on February 08, 2020 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

“We need to be up and play our best footy to get a result here and that’s what we’re after.

“We’ve come on this trip for a win and hopefully we can play well enough to do that.”

The Reds take on the Jaguares at 9am Sunday.