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Queensland Reds craving home amid weather chaos after 'reality check'
By AAP
Queensland Reds prop Alex Hodgman is pining for home after a “reality check” loss to the Crusaders wound up their second lengthy tour less than a month into the Super Rugby Pacific season.
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The Reds were erratic and error-prone in a 43-19 defeat in Christchurch on Sunday that left both teams with 2-1 records.
The result meant New Zealand teams avoided a rare winless round after Fijian Drua, Moana Pasifika and the ACT Brumbies all notched tight victories over Kiwi rivals.
Les Kiss’s side spent the week in New Zealand after flying straight from Perth and will touch down in Brisbane on Monday having missed the build-up to and impact of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred on the region.
The Reds also toured the UK in the final weeks of the pre-season, Hodgman admitting he couldn’t wait to return to his young family.
“We’ve just been looking at the footage and it’s crazy to see,” he told AAP of the high winds and rain that devastated southeast Queensland and northern NSW.
“Straight from Perth to Christchurch … man, it’s been a long tour.
“On the back of the UK tour; it feels like we’ve been away for a bit, so I just want to get home.”
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The Reds expect to resume training on Wednesday at Ballymore ahead of Saturday’s clash with the undefeated NSW Waratahs.
Former Reds star Taniela Tupou – recruited by the Waratahs from the defunct Melbourne Rebels – will make his first appearance for the arch rivals at Suncorp Stadium.
Hodgman said it was important his men didn’t get distracted by the occasion.
“Especially after that game yesterday; it was a good reality check for us to say, ‘OK, this is what we need to do’.
“I have a feeling getting home’s going to help that.
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“We had the vision to do it but didn’t execute. This week against the Tahs … it’s understanding balance.
“Making educated decisions that make it go from a 50-50 to a 90-10, by using your vision.
“The Tahs are undefeated but it’s internal … the mental side and time back home is going to be the best thing for us and bring us together.”
Test centre Hunter Paisami is available after serving a two-game suspension for a dangerous tackle.
Steadying flyhalf Tom Lynagh, who copped a head knock against the Western Force last week, should also be fit after being a late scratching against the Crusaders.
The Reds are also without injured Test aspirants Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Flook, Jock Campbell and Seru Uru.
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