Reds remain positive after loss to Brumbies in season opener
THE slate has already been wiped clean - the Queensland Reds are looking forward and not back, following the 24-6 loss to the Brumbies in their Super Rugby opener in Canberra on Saturday night.
The Reds tackle arch rivals, the NSW Waratahs, at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Saturday and director of coaching Ewen McKenzie has wasted no time in putting what happened in the nation's capital behind him.
"We are disappointed with the outcome, but the challenge for next week doesn't change," McKenzie said.
"You need to be good at flicking the switch and moving on to the next opportunity. If you fall off the horse you get back on it and keep going.
"We've already started work on the Waratahs."
Full-back Mike Harris kicked the only points of the game for the Reds in Canberra, but McKenzie said he was sure his attack will have more say against the Waratahs.
"There were aspects of our defence that I was pleased with and that is always a very good indicator to where the team is at attitudinally," he said.
"One of the things you talk about on day one at pre-season is that you want to get your defence right and then you build your attack. I've got no doubt our attack will improve."
While Brumbies captain Ben Mowen was happy with the result, he admitted that there was still plenty of work left to do if his side is to be challenging for honours come the business end of the year.
"We are realistic about where we want to go," he said.
"It's a great start, but in terms of where we want to end up we have a lot of work to do."
The Brumbies winning margin could have been bigger had they not missed five attempts at goal - something coach Jake White admitted was an area that needed improvement.
