Reds just full of hot air, claim Waratahs
THE Waratahs have lashed out at Queensland’s trash talking ahead of tonight’s Super Rugby season restart with a sledge for all time, dismissing the chest beating from their bitter arch rivals as being nothing more than “hot air” while ridiculing their choice of beer.
Desperate to restore some state pride to Suncorp Stadium after the comical performances by the Brisbane Broncos, the Reds have vowed to turn the traditional grudge match into a “bloodbath”, lampooning NSW’S decision to invite State of Origin hardman Paul Gallen to address the Waratahs in camp.
But NSW vice-captain Alex Newsome has hit back at Queensland’s threat to smash the Waratahs, saying the warnings are as weak as the amber nectar north of the border. “I reckon it’s a bit rich for a mob that drinks mid-strength beer,” he said.
“I’ve heard some of those comments and over the last few years they always come out with a bit of hot air.
“From our perspective, we’ll do the talking on the field. It’s always a fiery contest and there’s as much passion on their side of the border as there is on ours and I think that’s going to make for a really exciting game.”
The Reds will go into the match as favourites against a youthful NSW team featuring 10 rookies but Newsome says the Queenslanders should take a quick look back at the history books before talking up their chances of winning because the Waratahs won their past 11 Super Rugby encounters.
“We haven’t talked about the record but we’ve obviously talked about the derby,” Newsome said. “It’s always such a passionate game, NSW v Queensland, because the rivalry goes back for years.”
Queensland five-eighth James O’connor said the Reds don’t need to be reminded about the grisly statistics by the Waratahs because their own coach Brad Thorn won’t let them forget it.
“What is it, something like 11 games over seven years but that’s history now,” O’connor said. “We’ve got a new group now and we’ve put in the work in this isolation period and the guys are hungry.
“I know they’ve had Gallen come in but we’ve got our own guys. We’ve got Brad for one.”