Ryan Smith’s start to 2024 feeds into every formula to compete with the Chiefs until the 80th minute because the translation prioritises “nail your tackles.”
The hardworking Queensland Reds lock has the sort of tackle equation every coach dreams of.
He’s made 22 tackles in the opening two games and hasn’t missed one. It’s the sort of completion rate that you need to put a stutter in one of the best attacking sides in Super Rugby Pacific at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
Smith is a toiling regular in the Reds’ tight five. He hurt his AC joint early in the 2023 season yet refused to give in to it and kept fronting up.
Back to full fitness, he’s relishing the fresh delivery from the new Reds coaching staff in charge of the forwards, Zane “Choc” Hilton and Jonathan Fisher.
“Choc and Fish are both super-detailed and able to explain what they’re looking for. There’s no guessing,” Smith said.
“Personally, the set-up has been super fun with a good pre-season, training in new facilities, having some new players on board, a new structure and a good start.” How the progress has manifested itself on the field amongst a tight group is something Smith has seen in both matches to date.
“We’re always keen to work for each other. Against the Hurricanes, there were always blokes stepping up for tough carries and unselfish acts like pick-and-drive stuff around the 22,” Smith said.
“It was also there to see when ‘Wilso’ (Harry Wilson) got away an extra pass to Tate (McDermott) for his try on the edge when he might have been able to score himself.” Smith said the narrow loss to the Hurricanes last Sunday in Melbourne had to be seen in the proper light.
“While it’s a positive to show we can stick with tough New Zealand teams, we’ve really got to ice close games,” Smith said.
“We’re not resting on that. We’re all looking forward to this opportunity against another strong NZ side.”
Limiting chances for Chiefs sniper Damian McKenzie and his attacking teammates will take a smothering defensive effort.
“The importance of a good defensive connection is crucial and you don’t want to provide them with opportunities in parts of the field when the defence is disconnected,” said assistant coach Jonathan Fisher.
“We have to look after our breakdown, particularly on the edge, and not give the Chiefs opportunities in transition.”
The Reds’ improved discipline is partly a result of how the defence is working.
“We are a defence that prioritises connection and numbers on feet. As a consequence, we’ve had to make sure we’ve developed decision-makers around the ball that are going to contribute to our connection,” Fisher added.
