QUADE Cooper earned plenty of plaudits but there was a lot more to be taken away from the Reds’ trial win over the Rebels — here’s five things we learned.
1 BIG GAME HUNTER
Finally, fullback Karmichael Hunt is looking and playing like a rugby player with some edge not a lightweight body struggling to have an impact.
He broke tackles and popped passes against the Rebels. A weapon again.
2 COOPER AND CO
Quade Cooper may be the general for the Reds but having a sidekick like inside centre Duncan Paia’aua really clicked because the second playmaker threw passes for two tries.
MATCH REPORT: Quade’s quality sparks hopes of Reds resurgence
3 LAME TO LUSTRE
Eto Nabuli was never involved enough last year and fellow winger Chris Kuridrani was cumbersome and without impact.
Both revelled with big involvements against the Rebels. The coach has clicked with them.
4 STATEMENT FROM GAME ONE
The Reds cared on Tuesday night. They were nervous in the dressing rooms and won the intensity battle against a team which has bossed them before in that area.
5 FITNESS
No. 8 Leroy Houston has shed the midriff and has never looked fitter. That edge runs through the entire squad so the Reds will hit Super Rugby in peak shape against the Sharks on Friday week
Originally published as Five things we learned from Reds’ trial win
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