Wallabis Lock Darcy Swain reflects his lowest moment as a professional player before his 50th appearance for Brumbis in their decisive Super Rugby Pacific clash with Moana Pacific on Saturday.
Swain told reporters that being dropped from the Brumbis squad for the defeat in the Queensland Reds’ 2020 Super Rugby AU Grand Final was a “sad moment” and a defining moment in his career. Cadern Neville and Murray Douglas started for Brumbis while Nick Frost was on the bench.
Asked if he doubted he could play 50 games for Brumbis, Swain reflected on his exclusion from the final. It is clear that this filled him with a similar feeling of rejection that he felt when he left Queensland as a junior to test his luck in Canberra.
“I dropped out of that 2020 grand final and I wasn’t in the best form, not playing good rugby,” Swain said.
“Dan [McKellar] I had a tough conversation, saying ‘have a good pre-season’ and it comes back to all the guys who are pushing me.
Darcy Swine (pictured by Getty Images)
“We have a really competitive culture here. It’s not that we’re trying to unite each other, we’re all trying to make each other better. If it wasn’t for the guys like fruit [Nick Frost]Tommy Hooper: I remember chasing them quite clearly because they were fit buggers.
“It’s a long way off for me, having a good pre-season, playing good football last season and having the mentality of being pushed by those guys this year.
“It simply came to our notice then. It was a difficult day to come to terms with. I love playing footy and all of a sudden you’re not in the game you want to play. “
Swain said he paid attention to his coach’s words. He responded well last season and was called up for a Test debut against France, bringing in a huge turnover for the first Test win and playing 10 times for Dave Rainey.
“It made me realize who I am today and really shaped me and taught me a lot of lessons,” Swain said of his 2020 frustration. “It simply came to our notice then. It was day after day and trying to pick that next small block. Then it nailed the pre-season, now it’s nailed the next game. “
He said the Milestone 50 cap was “quite modest”.
“I did not think I would be able to come here but many players, many coaches and family and friends believed in me in the beginning so I am very grateful.
“I could not look north and my stomach was on fire. Here’s a chance to snatch a deal, learn and then play – I’ve been here for seven years now.
“It’s just a small milestone but all the guys here couldn’t do it without the coaches pressuring me to get better every day and trust me.”
The Brumbies headed for Auckland in third place but could outrun the Crusaders if the Reds could upset the Kiwis and the Brumbies tried hard enough for a bonus point.
“We finished second, but we’re just focusing on the first win,” Swain said. “We cannot underestimate these boys. They got a game (Tuesday) night so a short turn, around but we have to get up properly. We’re going to get ready there.
“We’ve had a number of disappointing losses but I think we’re in a better place and getting better.”
The Brumbies, meanwhile, have announced the extension of a contract for tighthead prop Sefo Koutai by the end of 2024.
Kautai joined the club as an injury cover in 2021 and the 25-year-old former junior All-Black has become strong in his second season at Brumbis, making five early appearances so far.
Kautai has played super rugby with the Chiefs before.
Right Boost for Reds
Liam Wright’s possible return has boosted a timely morale for the injured Queensland Reds.
Back-rovers and co-captains are rarely seen this season due to shoulder and ankle injuries, requiring surgery after a warm-up incident just minutes before the kick-off.
It was about two months ago that the high-profile trio Hunter Paisami, Taniela Tupu and James O’Connor, along with other teammates, were injured due to injuries to the Wallabis talent.
Tupu will not play again this season when O’Connor will only get a chance if the Reds advance to the Super Rugby Pacific semifinals.
Josh Fluke’s (shoulder) promise will require further surgery after his great season against Moana Pacifica ended painfully on Friday.
Wright’s return will strengthen at least one strong back row to include match-turning Harry Wilson and Fraser McRight to face the Crusaders on Friday.
“They have a long list (of injuries), hopefully something will come back this week or in the final,” said co-captain Tate McDermott.
Liam Wright of the Reds (Tracy Nirmi / Getty Images)
“But in the end the co-captain was successful. Apart from the first game of the year, where I think he (right) got injured at halftime, we weren’t really on the field together.
“It’s great for me, especially to have another voice in our forward pack. That kind of leadership is missing. “
The Reds have regularly brought a double-figure injury list to the games this season, and after a 7-1 start against the Australian rivals, it caught on to them.
Now 8-5, the Reds are likely to finish the season in seventh place and face the possibility of a back-to-back trip to Christchurch to face second-placed Crusaders in the quarter-finals.
McDermott hinted that Lawson Creighton would get another crack in O’Connor’s No. 10 jersey this week, even though they went 0-3 with him when the first-choice five-eighth finish was injured.
But the Reds’ hopes have been dashed by a 24-20 rate in Christchurch in 2020, when current Japan-based Isaac Lucas has been named deputy for the injured O’Connor.
“It simply came to our notice then. Looking back, it was an important game (for the Reds to rebuild), ”McDermott said of their rate, even after scoring four in three.
“We need to take confidence from the first win (against the Pacific) in a moment and turn it into confidence.
“Yes, we can focus on all the threats of the Crusaders and (you) respect them as the best club in the world.
“But what we can do is show our best and play the game and not be one-out or conservative.
“It’s about using a mobile pack, bringing the initial ball of those big wings into space over time to make a decision.”
Ned’s ridiculous take on ‘Second Debut’
Ned Hannigan says he was “packing bricks” when it came time to run against the Highlanders last weekend.
Hanigan came in the second half as Tahas drove for an impressive win, with bench resources playing a major role.
“I thought I was all right, and had a good week, but when I was on the sidelines and Paulie (Taumopou, Waratah forward coach) told me to warm up, I felt as good as my debut.” Hanigan told reporters on Tuesday.
“I really enjoyed it, it was a great week and we got results that are always beautiful. Sometimes you can come back and it doesn’t work and you don’t get results so it’s really good to get a ‘W’. “
Hannigan watched from Japan last season when Tahs racked the LS and there was no W. seen.
“It’s like being a fan of Warta. You look at it from a distance and see that the team is not doing exactly as you might think or club so I think it’s sad, “he said.
“You know there are a lot of good blocks out there who put their best foot forward but it wasn’t going their way and they were on the other side of the account. This year, they’ve tied together as a tight-knit group and things are going their way.
“Feelings like everyone else, you see it as a bit of fun and rugby I love the blue of the sky, I love ‘Tahas’ … Of course in the last few weeks, I’ve been so excited to come back to the group and try and contribute and be a part of something. “
Waratara is sweating over the fitness of three key players to host the Blues at Leichard Oval on Saturday.
Suspicious for playing hooker Dave Poreki (neck), center redkai foceti (hamstring) and flanker Langi Gleason (knee).
While Easy Perez is still out, Michael Hooper is fit to play, and Darren Coleman says he will pick his potential strongest team, despite a place in the quarter-finals.
Coleman told the Sydney Morning Herald, “Mainly for confidence, to continue the winning ways we’re starting to develop and to give our fans something to cheer on at home.” “We will choose our strongest potential team to win this week. Winning becomes a habit, it turns into something you get better at. You don’t want to miss a game a week before the playoffs. “