Decisions key to potency in attack

The Queensland Reds are looking to be more potent in attack against the Sharks this Saturday night and backs coach Damon Emtage said decision making was a big key to producing the results that have so far eluded the team.

Emtage said as well as not being able to control the ball for long periods of time, deciding when to kick, when to run and when to consolidate is something the team is still developing.

“It’s a process where everyone is learning and developing and we’re still seeking the game where appropriate measures of attack are utilised according to the situation,” Emtage said.

With plenty of talent and game-breaking potential in the backline with the likes of Ben Tune, Drew Mitchell and Berrick Barnes, Emtage said the team needs to ensure these strengths are used.

“On Friday night we got carried away with the kicking game where we aimlessly kicked a lot of possession away,” Emtage said.

“Indeed, on the five occasions we actually ran we were quite incisive and again that decision making of when we should roll the dice and attack and when we should play conservatively is one that is holding us back in that regard.

“And of course with the world-class nature of those players, we’re not getting them into the game often enough.”

Halfback Sam Cordingley agreed that the options being taken by the team had limited its strike power.

“Decision making’s a big part of rugby and I think that there’s probably (been) a lot of opportunities lost in recent games,” Cordingley said.

But he would not blame the lost opportunities on the youth of the side.

“As a team we haven’t put a lot of emphasis on the fact that we are a young side, because we don’t want to be using that as an excuse for poor performances and, you know, every team in the Super 14 has young players in it,” he said.

“It’s great for guys like Caleb (Brown) to come on and show the enthusiasm and it really lifts the guys in the side. No one’s let themselves down by any means.”

Mitchell Chapman (shoulder) and Rodney Blake (neck) are both expected to be available for selection when coach Jeff Miller announces the team on Tuesday afternoon South African time.

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