Reds finetune starters
Lucas likely to have first shot at playmaker role
THE Queensland Reds have dropped their biggest hint yet for the composition of their Round 1 side to take on the Brumbies on January 31.
Television cameras were asked to turn away as the team went through their walkthroughs at their Palm Beach Currumbin training base on Thursday but few eyes missed the blond-haired playmaker calling the shots at first receiver.
Isaac Lucas appears set to start the season at flyhalf, two weeks before his 21st birthday, partnering incumbent halfback Tate McDermott, 21.
The rookie playmaker starred in an eight-game cameo in 2019 but figures to feature more with the pre-season backing of coach Thorn.
“Playing five-eighth rather than fullback or inside centre is obviously a very different proposition because you have to take control and be a voice for the whole game,” Lucas said.
“I’ve got a lot of improvement still to come but I do feel more confident after the NRC experience and really want to have a crack in the position (at the team’s first trial) in Dalby.”
More surprises lay in wait, as recent re-signing and Wallabies top-up recipient Filipo Daugunu trained with the reserve team as wingers Jock Campbell and Henry Speight joined fullback Bryce Hegarty in the starting back three.
Presumed starting centres James O’Connor and Jordan Petaia did not train on Thursday, revealing former flyhalf Hamish Stewart and former Melbourne Rebel Hunter Paisami as the team’s first-choice replacements for the Wallabies duo.
In the forward pack, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Liam Wright and Harry Wilson started in the first-team backrow, although Angus ScottYoung’s university graduation ceremony forced him to miss the session.
Former Leicester Tigers prop Dave Feao is firming as the team’s second-choice tight-head behind Taniela Tupou.