Reds’ Gold Coast wingers Henry Speight and Jock Campbell could be Super Rugby’s best in defence

They say wingers only score their tries because they’re defended by other wingers but Henry Speight and Jock Campbell are out to disprove that dated theory.

Queensland Reds winger Henry Speight. Picture: QRU / Brendan Hertel

They say wingers only score so many tries because they’re defended by other wingers but the Queensland Reds’ Gold Coast duo of Henry Speight and Jock Campbell are out to disprove that dated theory.

Speight is the grizzled veteran of 119 Super Rugby games with the Brumbies, who adopted Bond University as his club when he moved to Queensland this off-season.

Campbell, a TSS graduate who rose from the school’s Second XV to become the Reds rookie of the year last year, is on the opposite extreme of the experience scale.

Queensland Reds winger Henry Speight in Dalby on Friday night. Picture: QRU / Brendan Hertel

Together they have formed an unlikely contender to become the best defensive wing combination in the competition.

MORE GOLD COAST BULLETIN RUGBY

● BOND: Sunnybank head coach joins Bond Uni as attack coach

● REDS: Gold Coasters shine as Reds topple Waratahs

● BIG RECRUIT: Hurricanes U20s captain signs with Gold Coast club

On Friday night the Reds held the Waratahs’ Wallabies-stacked backline to a single try, scored in the 77th minute.

“I think it was just our unit as a whole,” Speight said in praise of the outside backs’ defensive work.

“We knew the threats they posed with Kurtley Beale coming in and Karmichael Hunt organising the threats on the edges.

“If we could get up in their face and limit their time with the ball, there was a big focus on that tonight.

“Jock played outstandingly and he covered them well tonight.”

It took exciting Waratahs youngster Mark Nawaqanitawase – whom Speight described as Folau-like after the match - all of 76 minutes to breach the Reds’ defence.

Queensland Reds winger Jock Campbell in Dalby on Friday night. Picture: QRU/Brendan Hertel

Campbell agreed: Nawaqanitawase’s reputation was well-earned.

“I thought as a team we handled him quite well because we knew he could do some pretty special things,” the 24-year-old said.

“As a team we held them out god knows how many times.

“That’s been our massive focus over the last few weeks and (the Dalby trial) was a massive step forward for us.

“I thought we did awesome and I’m sure the coaches will be stoked.”

The Reds have allowed just one backline try in 160 minutes of pre-season action.