Queensland Reds assistant coach Tony McGahan is confident that the Brisbane Super Rugby side’s defence will be vastly improved in 2018 compared to last season.
The Reds leaked 61 tries in 2017 in former Rebels coach McGahan says poor tackling will be a thing of the past in 2018.
The Reds kick off their Super Rugby campaign in 2018 against McGahan’s former team the Rebels on Friday but the coach says his inside knowlege of the Melbourne side is already irrelevant.
McGahan led the Rebels for four seasons (2014-17) but is now fully behind head coach Brad Thorn’s drive for higher standards at the Reds especially their defence.
“No, there won’t be those tries scored against,” McGahan said.
“There are a number of factors that go into a good defence,” McGahan told News.com.au.
“It’s not only your defensive system and some really good tacklers but the attitude that Brad’s developed, not coughing up needless ball and avoiding bad kicking.”
“As for the Rebels, they have a really different look to the club I left last year.
“It’s top to bottom with the drastic changes to the playing roster, a new coach (Dave Wessels) and the running of the club.”
McGahan said that the Reds are eager to get their first game of the season underway.
“For the players, the most important thing is believing in the hard work they have done in the pre-season and Brad’s strong line on who they are representing,” McGahan said.
“Brad has done a tremendous job and has a great respect from the players.”
