Reds lock Izack Rodda says Queensland needs to use its muscle against the Lions this weekend.
The young Reds outfit slumped to a fourth-straight loss last weekend, going down to the Chiefs, but Rodda said he was confident they could snap that streak.
This is their first block of consecutive home matches in seven weeks, and the benefits of staying in one place will hopefully help regenerate the rookie squad.
That round four match against the Bulls was one of their best of the year and Rodda said they took some important lessons out of that clash, ahead of meeting the Lions.
“I learned personally as with every South African team you’ve got to match them physically and if you don’t match them physically they’ll just bully you out of the game,” he said.
“If you can match their physicality or go more physical than them, it’ll be good for us.
“I reckon we were hitting hard (in that Bulls game).
“We did our game plan right, we came out doing what we wanted to do.
“We knew we had to go at them at set piece and go at them when they’re carrying the ball and I think we just executed on that.”
Rodda said the side was still feeling positive despite its recent decline, a sharp downturn from a positive start to the season,
“Everyone was a bit down on the last few games, but I think there’s a good vibe coming in today, everyone’s excited to work on what we need to work on and move forward and really crack into this week against the Lions,” he said.
It will be the forwards needing to set the tone, Rodda said, and If the big men do their job, they might be able to buck their trend of low scores this season, with Queensland the lowest scoring outfit in Super Rugby.
“I reckon we’ve definitely got enough of that (attacking creativity), we’ve got good outside backs in Samu, Chrissy and Jono at 10,” he said.
“We (the forwards) need to definitely pave the way, we need to come out firing to create a good platform for the backs and create fast ball and give them the opportunity to use their speed and skills.”
One Reds player who caught attention last weekend was halfback Moses Sorovi, with the former U20s nine bringing spark in the back end of the game.
“I reckon he offers a lot of energy and a lot of physicality,” Rodda said
“For a little bloke, he’s not afraid to get in the ‘D line’ and hit blokes, which is what you want out of a halfback I guess.
“He’s just real aggressive and he just bring s a lot of energy to the team.”
The Reds host the Lions on Saturday afternoon, kicking off at 3:15pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
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