Nick Frisby ready to reap benefits of three years as scrumhalf understudy at Reds

NICK Frisby has been learning about high expectations since his family barely recognised him on Reds debut fbecause of some razor mischief.

Nick Frisby. Reds coach Richard Graham and Red training at Ballymore. Pic Peter Wallis

NICK Frisby has been learning about high expectations ever since his family barely recognised him on debut for the Reds because of some Will Genia mischief with a razor.

The young halfback now aims high and sees no reason why the underdog Reds can’t pull off a winning raid in Melbourne against the Rebels on Friday night.

No Genia or Quade Cooper in the run-on side for the first time since 2008 because of injuries has ripped a huge amount of playmaking from the team.

Rather than be overawed by attempting to fill all of Genia’s roles, Frisby is taking a bite at what he can do because only a true team effort will blend into a victory.

“We lose the direction of Quade and Will but I know Benny (Lucas) and I, in the halves, want to step up and other guys will show the courage to make good calls,” Frisby said.

Flanker Liam Gill will play his final Reds game this season from the bench because sevens duties with the Commonwealth Games squad will rule him out of two games.

Gill’s absence for the July 12 interstate clash against NSW makes that night easier for Wallaby flanker Michael Hooper, when the Waratahs may be bidding for the key No.1 seeding into the finals.

Three seasons as a halfback understudy at the Reds has generated 25 games and gems of experience for just Frisby’s fourth as a starter.

“It’s been massive for my development to observe and compete in the same Reds squad as Will,” Frisby, 21, said.

“One of the main things he’s taught me is professionalism and attention to detail with practice passing and kicking because getting better doesn’t just happen.

“It’s also important that I don’t try to fill Will’s very large shoes. I’m happy to play my own game and the coach (Richard Graham) has told me that as well.

“I’m not a halfback who just likes to shovel ball to the next guy. If I see an opportunity to run or chip kick I like to have a crack.”

Nick Frisby juggles a ball during Reds training at Ballymore.

Frisby did just that in his first starting role in Melbourne last year when he finished off a superb 70m movement for a try after he ignited it with a fine flat ball to Digby Ioane.

Frisby was far less sure of himself when he was a raw teen having a bet with Genia on a flight to Durban in 2012.

“Willy bet me I’d be on the bench for a debut and I bet him I wouldn’t be. I got selected and Will shaving my head was the retribution,” Frisby said.

“I was all scalp and eyebrows for my debut and some of my family didn’t recognise me when I ran on.”

Graham backed Frisby and flyhalf Lucas to do the job for a side which will get a lift from the bench with Ben Daley, Lachie Turner and Saia Faingaa back from injury.

Naming stalwart centre Anthony Faingaa as vice-captain lifts his leadership role for the backs.

Frisby will have his hands full on Friday night because the Rebels are certain to call up former Wallaby Luke Burgess, a two-try menace from halfback when the sides met in May.

Reds: M Harris, R Davies, B Tapuai, A Faingaa, D Shipperley, B Lucas, N Frisby; J Schatz, B Robinson, C Browning, J Horwill (c), R Simmons, G Holmes, J Hanson, J Slipper. Res: S Faingaa, A Anae, B Daley, D McDuling, L Gill, S Kerevi, J-J Taulagi, L Turner.

Originally published as Nick Frisby ready to reap benefits of three years as scrumhalf understudy at Reds