Speight ready to return

Ex-Brumbie back with Reds

RUGBY UNION: Running out in front of Brumbies fans is nothing new to Henry Speight, who considers Canberra “home”, but the winger admits he will get emotional before taking the field in the national capital on Friday night.

Speight is expected to play his first Super Rugby clash for his new club, the Queensland Reds, in the Super Rugby season-opening clash at Canberra’s GIO Stadium.

“A little bit, I guess so. There’s nothing to shy away from there,” Reds recruit Speight, who spent nine seasons at the Brumbies, said of the prospect of becoming emotional in his return to the national capital.

“It is home for me, Canberra, and it’s got a very special place in my heart. I’ve got a lot of respect for the organisation and a lot of good friends and brothers in that team.”

Not that the 31-year-old, who has played for the Wallabies 19 times, will be holding back against his Brumbies mates.

“If selected, the only way to pay the biggest respect is to play the best I can against them and in front of the Canberra community and also play my part for Queensland,” he said.

“I’ll wear the jersey with pride and pay my utmost respect to the opposition and the community by playing my best on the day.”

Speight admitted he had known the Brumbies were Queensland’s first-round opponent since he signed a twoyear deal with the Reds late last year.

“The schedule came out and it was just a bit of a funny feeling seeing the first game was up against the Brumbies and back down in Canberra,” he said. “That was weird finding out when I was still living in Canberra as well.”

Speight has since settled into his new home with wife Louise and son Josefa.

Having relocated to Queensland for family reasons, Speight appears to have made up for lost time since arriving in Brisbane, recently introducing his son to his 89year-old great-grandfather for the first time as four generations gathered.

Speight has also enjoyed his short time on the field with the Reds after successful offseason knee surgery.

He played his first game in Reds colours in last Friday’s trial win over the Waratahs in Dalby but appeared to do enough to impress coach Brad Thorn and earn Super Rugby first-round selection.