Star Reds playmaker James O’Connor has revealed he was decreased to catching a canoe to coaching on Tuesday as a result of devastating floods in Queensland.
The Reds overcame per week of setbacks to publish a gutsy 29-16 win over the Western Power in Perth on Friday evening.
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The floods in Queensland meant the Reds might solely practice as soon as within the lead-up to the sport.
Their flight to Perth grew to become a 14-hour ordeal because of delays and an unplanned stopover in Adelaide.
However the Reds confirmed their true spirit within the face of adversity, with O’Connor taking part in a hand in all 4 tries to arrange the bonus-point win.
“I caught a canoe to coaching on a Tuesday,” O’Connor stated of the weird lead-in to the match.
“I solely obtained to hitch the boys for one session this week.
“I truly caught a flight at six o’clock (on Thursday evening) alone as properly (as a result of) I couldn’t get out (earlier), we have been flooded in once more.”
O’Connor stated the plight of individuals battling the floods helped encourage the staff.
“That win was for everybody again house,” O’Connor advised Stan.
“It undoubtedly rallied the staff collectively.
“We caught tight, and we spoke about it so much – digging deep for Queensland.
“The staff was on the airport at seven o’clock and we didn’t fly out till 2pm. It was a 14-hour journey day.
“It was powerful. The boys needed the win. We needed to win for our state, and we did.”
The captain’s curse struck the Reds once more within the fourth minute when stand-in skipper Lukhan Salakaia-Loto limped off with an injured ankle.
Salakaia-Loto was solely filling in for injured co-captains Liam Wright and Tate McDermott, and he now faces a nervous wait to see how severe the damage is.
“I’m not too positive but (what the damage is), it’s one thing on my ankle,” he stated.
“I’m disenchanted, however I’m pleased with the way in which the boys fought.”
Western Power duo Andrew Prepared and Byron Ralston have been stood down for Friday’s match after ingesting alcohol on the flight from Melbourne to Perth final week.
Prop Greg Holmes performed because of an absence of choices at tighthead, however is ready to obtain his sanction within the coming week.
Power coach Tim Sampson didn’t really feel the distraction had any impact on Friday’s sport.
“The blokes parked it early within the week to get on with the job at hand,” Sampson stated.
“The employees had a great chat about it, and we sat down with (captain) Feleti Kaitu’u and the management group and mentioned it at size.
“We have been aligned with what we thought, and we got here to that call and the three gamers have been snug with that as properly.”
