Super Rugby 2018: Reds halfback Moses Sorovi impresses

The Queensland Reds might turn to halfback Moses Sorovi to bring some urgency to their play.

Queensland halfback Moses Sorovi got his chance against the Chiefs. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Queensland Reds might turn to halfback Moses Sorovi to bring some urgency to their play early on against the imposing Lions of South Africa after coach Brad Thorn admitted they had been rattled by the Chiefs in the first half on Saturday night.

The 22-year-old Thursday Islander was brought on midway through the second half at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night to replace Ben Lucas and immediately it felt like the Reds lifted the speed and intensity of their game.

His clearance from the scrum base was more precise than it had been and it was noticeable, too, how much tackling Sorovi got through as the Reds belatedly raised the tempo of their play in what ended in a 36-12 loss.

Thorn admitted that the first 30 minutes of the match had been hugely frustrating, though he was still struggling for words to describe precisely what he was feeling.

“There are some positives to take out of it,” he said. “They showed some composure and chipped away and did some stuff, so I see that ... but if you had asked me 30 minutes in ... whooo-eee!”

Asked if he felt the Reds might have benefited from having Sorovi’s electric service from the ruck base during the period when they found themselves under such intense pressure from the New Zealanders, Thorn replied: “Possibly yes. I’m looking at the group. Don’t get me wrong, I’m trying to win matches but I’m also looking at the guys each week … trying to build depth.

“So Moses got a go. He missed out on the first seven games of the year, missed out on the tour but he just kept chipping away and he deserved an opportunity. It makes a difference when you have that speed (of pass) and it definitely gives us something to think about.” He also singled out 18-year-old Jordan Petaia for, as he put it, “ripping in” and although wingers Izaia Perese and Filipo Daugunu were among the Reds’ best, Petaia’s performance was full of promise, even if he did carry the ball like a right winger on the left flank.

Yet while there may be some finetuning around the edges, with captain and loosehead James Slipper acknowledging his fate is in the hands of team doctors and others after he was forced off with a collarbone injury, Thorn’s main work this week will focus on the need to start a whole lot more positively against a Lions side looking to win four in a row against the Reds.

“Even if you are under the pump, you’ve got to get hard-minded about it and force yourself. I thought we were a little rattled.”

On the evidence they displayed in their 29-0 defeat of the Waratahs in Sydney on Friday, the first 20 minutes of the match might be the time to strike for the Reds. NSW began well and arguably should have had a try or two in the first quarter but thereafter the Lions turned on a clinical and utterly impressive display.

“If we go in with a lack of high intensity against a quality opposition, if we are making a lot of errors, it’s going to be a tough day,” said Thorn. “They play a very good brand of footy, the Lions. I have a lot of respect for them.”

The Tahs still retain leadership of the Australian conference with five wins from eight, with the Melbourne Rebels missing out on an opportunity to regain the lead after suffering a 28-10 loss to the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria early yesterday morning (AEST).

As with the Reds, the Rebels were effectively played out of the match in the first half and at 21-3 down at the break. Worse, three of their key Wallabies, lock Adam Coleman, fullback Dane Haylett-Petty and hooker Jordan Uelese are in injury doubt for next Friday’s clash with the Stormers.

The Rebels annoyed the Pretoria crowd by deliberately slowing play down at critical periods in the first half but coach Dave Wessels was unapologetic and borrowed from the old Ewen McKenzie coaching manual.

“Our job is not to entertain the Loftus crowd … our job is to win for the people of Melbourne,” he said. “We wanted to slow the game at the appropriate time and then play with a burst of energy at the appropriate time and I thought we managed that quite well.”