Jock Campbell - One to Watch in City Versus Country Derby!

Big week for Reds fans following the NRC. It’s time for the annual Brisbane City versus Queensland Country game! They call it the “Andy Purcell” cup round and this year, they’ve chosen to host the game in Gladstone! Of course… the game will be broadcast on www.rugby.com.au. But before the game… make sure you read my interview with a true “Country” boy and Reds star, Jock Campbell! 

Hi Jock, so with the Country versus City grudge match this weekend… Has there been a little bit of banter between the two teams around Ballymore this week?

Jock is loving being based at Ballymore full-time.

Absolutely. Always is. [City head coach] Jimmy Mackay’s leading it, he loves a bit of banter. Also Fraser. No malice, but all laughter. It’s fun.

There’s a bit of a coaching divide, cos obviously Crapper and Jim are with City, Seiby, Toddy are Country. Actually not Toddy. He stays cool, but with the others, it’s fun.

2019 has been a big year for you. You’ve debuted for the Reds and even scored a couple of tries. What have some of the highlights been for 2019 so far?

Obviously debuting was pretty special, overseas in Pretoria. It was a pretty awesome atmosphere. But the whole year in general has been awesome. Just being here every day and being around the boys, it’s a really good group. I really enjoyed travelling and the away games, you get to play in South Africa, New Zealand… when you take a step back and think of that, it’s pretty cool.

Congrats to you and the UQ side on winning the Hospital Cup this year! That’s 4 out of 4 finals appearances and two championships. What do you love most about playing for UQ?

Yeah, I’ve played 5 or 6 years there. I’ve learnt a lot, but it’s just fun. I used to play footy at school for fun, I never expected anything like that. I know a lot of people there, it’s just comfortable playing around them…

2 out of 4 for the grand final, it’s awesome to be a part of such a great team. There are great coaching staff too. I owe a lot to the staff there, they’ve taught me a lot. And to beat the Brothers boys was sweet, I’ve always said I can’t go 1 from 4. So 2 from 4 was inevitable.

Can you tell us about your rugby journey and how you ended up playing for Queensland?

I grew up in a country town, Inverell. I played mostly Rugby League, a bit of Union.. but League is huge in Country New South Wales. Then I went to boarding school on the Gold Coast at TSS and they only play Rugby Union there, so I played that for five years. I just love footy and cricket, I just played lots of sport.

Then I moved to Brisbane for Uni, I lived at Kings, so I played for Uni cos it was around the corner. I played for them for 3 years, then made the NRC, played a couple of years of NRC and now I’m here. So it was a bit of a longer journey than most, but I wouldn’t change it. I really enjoyed my footy all the way through. So that’s sort of my journey.

What have you loved most about being based at Ballymore full-time and playing for the Reds?

Just playing full-time, it’s cool I guess. To say it’s your job just to come in and train, where as before you did uni and work… I’d say it’s just cool. To come to Ballymore, I haven’t experienced anywhere else, but yeah it’s awesome. The gym’s a bit old school (they’re gonna knock it down soon), but I really enjoy everything here.

[It was at this moment Jim Mackay walked across to say hi. So Jock invited him into the interview.]

[Jim:] I was just going to say… big game this week Tom, but he’s a real danger man for us. We’ve got to watch this bloke, big Jock. We have to try and wrap him up mate.

[Jock:] I told him you’ve been leading the banter, between the sides.

[Jim:] Oh really? No, I’ve been very quiet this week. (Laughs). I’ll let you go. See ya guys.

See you soon Jim, all the best this weekend.

[Jock:] Not really though Jim.

Ok, so back to you Jock… what’s your favourite position to play?

I prefer fullback, just because you get to do a bit more. You get to roam and it’s a bit more of a ball playing role. But in saying that, wing is fine, I love playing there too. Especially here under Jim and Brad’s attack, they really want us to be not just on the wing but roaming, so that makes it really fun and you don’t get stuck out there. You get the license to roam and be where you want to be and so it’s fun. So overall, fullback, because you get your hands on the ball a bit more. But either or.

I know your focused on the NRC right now, but are you excited about 2020 with the Reds?

Absolutely, I can’t wait. NRC is obviously good fun and a bit more relaxed, but we’re looking forward to getting out there and proving something as a team in 2020. I think last year, once again the team showed potential but now it’s about taking that next step and everyone’s keen to work hard and show it on the field. So hopefully we can capitalise on that. 

Thanks heaps for your time Jock!

No worries, pleasure. Good questions! Very friendly, no tough ones.

Bonus: "Rugby Rules" Question

You’ve been known to perform well at 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. If you were talking to a fan who’s still learning about the game.... what’s the difference between these positions?

So 10 is the organiser, the guy that orchestrates everything… him and 9 (half-back) touches the ball the most I’d say. Centers: There’s two types of centers I guess. There’s big ball-carrying centers like Samu, although I guess he’s more a hybrid now… he can ball-play too… but then you can get centers like James O’Connor, he’s more of a skilful guy. So there’s two types of centers, big ball runners, like Sonny Bill Williams and Samu, and your skilful players.

Fullback, is like your second play maker I guess, he can organise too, if you’ve got the big centers. These days, a lot changes, depending on the balance of the side. So you can switch out ball players into other positions and have big guys in other ones. But you sort of need 2 ball players, whether that’s at fullback, or in the centers.

So in the wing… quick, steppy, big, although I’m not very big… there’s a few big boys out there unfortunately for me… tackle them around the legs I guess.

Numbers and positions for the backs are:

9: Half-back

10: Fly-half (or first five-eighth)
11: Left Wing

12: Inside Center

13: Outside Center

14: Right Wing

15: Full-back

To rugby fans out there who would like to understand the game more: what's a rule you don't always understand? What's something you would like me to ask one of the Queensland Reds to explain?

Catching up with Adam Korczyk

Right in the middle of the Brisbane Cities NRC season, Adam Korczyk took some time to chat. Adam was one of my first interviewees for this blog and is always great to talk to! (Catch up on that interview here.)

I was told afterwards that when he runs out this Sunday with his team, he will become the most capped Brisbane City player since the team began in 2014!

Brisbane City is playing NSW Country at Norths Rugby Club in Wooloowin on Sunday!!! Even with the Wallabies World Cup campaign kicking off on Saturday, there’s still some great NRC games this weekend, so don’t miss them!

Thanks for taking the time to catch up. You were one of my first interviews when I started Reds Rugby Rules and its always good to chat.

Thanks for having me Tommy. Always a pleasure, never a chore.

Tough loss last weekend for Brisbane City. What has your team been working on this week ahead of this Sunday’s game at Norths?

Yeah, obviously it was a tough loss. Canberra are a tough team, they’ve got a lot of Brumbies players. I think this week we’ve sort of been working on our game. We probably weren’t working around the game plan as much against Canberra and sort of let them back in the game with a few turn-overs and penalties. We’ve been working on following our game plan. If we follow the plan we’ve set out for this season, I think we’ll get wins that way. We’ve got the talent, we’ve just got to work hard and the wins will come from that.

How have you found this year overall so far?

Yeah, it’s been to good to be honest. Obviously I’ve been here since the start of the NRC, as you know at Brisbane City, it’s always a different group coming in, different players, sometimes different coaches. We’ve gelled quickly, which is obviously what you want with a short season, I think we’re going well. All of the games we have had, we’ve certainly been in it, we’ve been competing well.. But maybe the lack of cohesion, not being a team for so long… that you have to get over quickly in the NRC. But yeah other than that, I’ve always enjoyed playing for Brisbane City and it’s going well so far and hopefully we’ll be going into the finals as well.

This is your 6th season with Brisbane City in the NRC! What’s been your favourite thing about the NRC so far?

My favourite thing is… Obviously, you get to play footy against Super Rugby players from different states a teams, but the best thing is always playing with club players that have come through, say the Queensland Premier rugby system, that you might not have had the chance to play… so it’s meeting new players and sort of testing yourself. When I came in, I was obviously a young guy, I always enjoyed playing the Super Rugby players. Now I’ve developed a bit and played Super Rugby myself, and I love playing with the young guys coming through. The energy and the “youth” they bring is quite contagious, you love it. I’m not that old, but there’s 19-20 year olds around and you feel young and that’s the main thing I’ve enjoyed this season.

Do you still get called kiwi now?

I do! I think it’s sort of stuck with me now. Obviously. I got the nick-name when I moved from New Zealand, I was born there and I had an accent… I’ve lost my accent, I think, I don’t know what I have now. Probably a bit of everything. But yeah, they still do call me Kiwi. During my first year at NRC, our team manager called me Carol Brady (from the Brady bunch), because I had long hair. So people started calling me Carol. But people sort of moved on and that’s disappeared into the woodwork. I’d rather have Kiwi than Carol that’s for sure. (Laughs.)

What are your future goals as a player?

My aspiration has always been to make the Wallabies. I was lucky to be in the Wallabies squad in 2017 and I still have that hunger. I’ve been in Super Rugby for 4 years and I think I can still develop. I’m 24, I’m still young, so for myself, it’s just to get better and always aspire and have that final goal of making the Wallabies and experiencing test rugby.

Always a pleasure catching up Adam. See you at Norths this weekend!

No thank you. It’s always a pleasure chatting with you. Can’t wait to see you there!

2019 World Cup Special

Reds Rugby Rules 2019 World Cup Special

The Wallabies kick off their 2019 World Cup campaign in Japan, on Saturday against Fiji!

All the best to Cheika and the whole team!!!!

This is Reds Rugby Rules, I figured I’d post something special about all of the Reds players who are part of the squad.

Samu Kerevi

Samu has risen through the ranks to become not only the Queensland Reds captain this year, but Wallabies Vice-Captain as well. Along with captain Michael Hooper, he will be leading the charge this Saturday. Samu has always been great to talk to and has always had time for his fans and supporters at Ballymore and everywhere he goes.

We’ve had some great chats for Reds Rugby Rules… make sure you catch up on past interviews here:

http://redsrugbyrules.blogspot.com/2017/04/an-interview-with-samu-kerevi.html

https://redsrugbyrules.blogspot.com/2018/03/fellowship-with-fijians-filipo-daugunu.html

http://redsrugbyrules.blogspot.com/2019/02/captains-run-with-samu-kerevi.html

Taniela Tupou

I loved catching up with Taniela back in 2017 and have enjoyed a lot of laughs with him since then. Always one to make you smile off field, "Tongan Thor" is a serious threat on the field. He’ll be one to watch during the World Cup, for sure. Read some of his story here:

https://redsrugbyrules.blogspot.com/2017/02/an-interview-with-tongan-thor-taniela.html

Izack Rodda

Izack has also risen through the Wallabies ranks over the last 2 years. When I interviewed him back in 2017, he’d just joined their training squad.

You can read our chat here:

http://redsrugbyrules.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-conversation-with-izack-rodda.html

Lukhan Salakaia-Lotu

I still remember catching up with Lukhan in Samoa for this blog a few years ago, during the teams overseas match against the Blues. (He went by Lukhan Tui at the time.) I’ve enjoyed watching his rise on the international scene as well!

https://redsrugbyrules.blogspot.com/2017/06/talofa-from-samoa-catching-up-with.html

Jordan Petaia

Jordan has proved his worth during the 2018 Super Rugby season, but since then has had a run of bad luck with injuries. Even though recovering from injury, based on his track record, he’s still been named in the World Cup squad and could be making his debut on the world stage very soon. Go Jordan!

https://redsrugbyrules.blogspot.com/2018/07/chatting-with-jordan-petaia.html

James Slipper

Honourary mention, because… once a Red, always a Red. James has shown a lot of heart, working his way back into the Wallabies squad this year.

With Slips and the Reds back in Japan last year

James was my first ever interview for this blog. You can catch up on our previous great chats here:

https://redsrugbyrules.blogspot.com/2017/02/yesterday-i-was-lucky-enough-to-sit.html

https://redsrugbyrules.blogspot.com/2017/05/hows-james-doing.html

Rob Simmons

Once a Red, always a Red. Enough said.

https://redsrugbyrules.blogspot.com/2017/04/an-interview-with-rob-simmons.html

Will Genia

Can't leave out another 2011 Reds champ, Will Genia. I caught up with him earlier this year as well. Pleased to tell you he is still a gentleman.

James O’Connor

Life has led James O’Connor to Queensland for next years Super Rugby season and I couldn’t be more excited. I had a quick chat with him during Wallabies training in Brisbane earlier this year. I’m looking forward to interviewing him when he’s at Ballymore sometime soon!

All the best to all of the Wallabies this year, including this guy!!

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Catching up with QLD Red and Country Lock Angus Blyth

The NRC season is full swing!

Last Sunday last week was an awesome day of rugby. I travelled down to Bond Uni to watch two games in a row. Brisbane City took out Sydney and right after that, our Queensland Country team beat the Canberra Vikings! It’s the first time I’ve ever witnessed two back to back NRC games live and to watch both of our teams win was even more special.

While preparing for next weekends game against Sydney, I caught up with Angus Blyth, a QLD Red and Country lock.

I’m also bringing back a new segment this week - see below for my “Rugby Rules” section that Angus helped me out with. This is for rugby fans who are still learning the finer points of the game.

Enjoy!

Hey Angus, thanks for taking the time to catch up.

[Angus:] No worries!

Congrats to you and the Country boys for a great win last weekend! I loved being there to watch it.

Yeah thanks. It’s pretty awesome, having our first win! Bit of a shaky start against Perth the week before, so we were happy to beat Canberra. 

Are you looking forward to playing in Sydney this coming weekend? (Sorry I can’t make it to that one…)

(Laughs.) That’s alright. I am looking forward to playing another away game! I think as a Country team, we almost play better away. We have a better schedule, everything timed for us, that sort of thing. We need to watch them and take them seriously… Hopefully we’ll be fine-tuning our defence and our attacking structures, it’ll be a good challenge.

One of the things I love asking people about is their rugby journey. How did you start playing the game?

So I grew up in a place called Kingscliff, which is in Northern New South Wales. That’s where I went to school up until year 10. I just played in a local rugby competition, pretty much lost every game through out the season. Luckily enough, I got offered a place at TSS, a Southport school in the Gold Coast. It’s a big rugby school down there. I went there after year 10 and played in the First XV for two years.

After that, I was lucky to get a development contract after school and came through the 20s program.. then NRC.. then I was lucky to get my first game with the Reds last year and I played another eight games this year.

What do you love most about being based here at Ballymore and playing for Queensland?

Admiring a painting in the hallway, a tribute to the 2011
Championship winning Reds

Being here at Ballymore, it’s such an old place, there’s a lot of history here, looking at the paintings and cool photos and stuff of the winning teams, the greats… And it’s close to home, only an hour and a half away. I’m also studying down at Bond, I got the rugby scholarship down there, it’s easy to drive down when I’m free and do my one class a week for that semester.

I just love the Queensland whether, it’s nice and warm, it’s never really rainy or cold like Canberra - it’s only an hour or so down to the beach, you can go there for a swim or a surf… I love Queensland, it’s home.

How good is it having your brother Wilson around, as a part of the Reds development squad?

Yeah I’m pretty excited about that, he’s pretty excited as well. Me and my brother are really close, we get along really well. He always tries to one up me, everything he does (laughs), so he’s always trying to beat me in something. So once he gets here and starts training and eventually training full-time with me up in the main squad, he’ll be really competitive. It’ll be good to have him here, we can always move in together and do the same thing as the Smith brothers. I’m really looking forward to him coming along.

What are your thoughts on next years Reds season and with that, what would your message be to Reds supporters coming into next year?

Could the current Reds players be future champions?

I’m really looking forward to next season. A lot of the young guys coming through the main squad, like Isaac Lucas, Harry Wilson and Fraser, they’re all playing well. It’s gonna be another big year. We’ve been saying we’re a young side for a few years now so now that everyones come through the ageing process.. the bleeding process, to Super Rugby, we should get some results. This year, we fell short by one try for a one try or something for a few games, you know, that Chiefs game where we were edging within seconds and meters… we could have won that game. I think that added experience of an extra year will help us get over that winning line. And for the supporters, keep hanging around, I’m sure there’s good things coming in the future here at Ballymore.

Angus, thank you very much for your time, all the best for the rest of the NRC season, I’m supporting you all the way.

Awesome. Not a problem Tommy. Thanks for interviewing me, it’s been awesome.

Rugby Rules

This is a new segment, where I ask a player to explain a rule, or an aspect of the game. Today, I asked Angus to explain scrums to fans, like my mum, who don’t understand all of the rules of the game. Enjoy…

Angus Blythe on Scrums

A scrum happens when a person drops the ball forward… Instead of just handing it over, they pack a scrum to contest the possession change. Whoever knocks it on, the other person has the feed and they put the ball in to the middle of the scrum. So it’s 8 players, or the forwards, (numbers 1-8). The front row are the fat guys, or another word would be strong (laughs) or massive. But the short, strong guys (numbers 1-3), they’re the wall at the front, they cop all the force. The second row is the tallest players on the field (4-5), almost all of the time. They provide most of the power. And then you have the back row, which is 6, 7 and 8, also called the flankers. Their job is to stabilise the scrum and release the ball out the back and make the first tackle in defence.

Basically, 8 guys push alongside the other 8 guys, if you have the “feed” you have the advantage. There’s a lot of different rules about collapsing, and binding early, which is a whole other episode (laughs). But basically, whoever has the dominance in the scrum gets a penalty if it collapses.

A while ago, it used to be pretty messy and 8 guys would almost run into each other… but now it’s a lot safer, to stop people getting injured in their necks and backs and stuff… the ref calls “crouch, bind, set” and it’s a lot safer now. Basically, the scrum gives the backs more space to do their thing. There’s less defenders and gaps to play into.

I enjoy scrums - it’s a hard position being a second rower, having your head between two front rowers… It’s a lot of hard work, but it pays off when you get a dominant scrum.

Do you expect to have the dominant scrum this weekend?

[Angus:] We should do.

Tune in to watch Queensland Country play Sydney on Saturday at 12pm.

After that, Brisbane City play Canberra (also away) at 2pm! Free to watch at www.rugby.com.au!!

Captain Fraser McCreight and Brandon Paenga-Amosa: Ready to Attack

Brandon (old photo) before he cut his hair...

NRC is off already and our two teams (Brisbane City and Queensland Country) have both had close games in week 1. As we get to week 2… people keep asking which team I support, Country or City. As a Reds blogger, I am supporting the teams that come out of Queensland. :-D

Brisbane City's Ready to Attack

This week, I’m focusing on Brisbane City and am grateful to both Fraser and Brandon for answering some of my questions for them!

Last year, I caught up with Fraser about his rugby journey (click here to catch up and read it) and earlier this year about the Wallabies Under-20 World Cup campaign. Here I asked him a few questions from his perspective as City Captain!

I also caught up with Brandon (you can call him B… or BPA, if you like) about his journey since our last catch-up when he was brand new to Queensland. I also asked him what he thought of the new rules that are being trialed in the NRC. Enjoy!

Fraser (another old photo) during his first NRC season last year

Catching up with Brisbane City Captain - Fraser McCreight

You came off towards the end of the game on Sunday. What was your injury and are you ok?

Yeah, I just got hit on the hip and was just a cork... it was so painful! (Laughs.) But it’s good now and can’t wait to rip in for a bit more game time this weekend.

How did you find captaining your first seniors game?

It was an unreal experience. It was a different game than usual, as Fiji play with such freedom and there isn’t much time to speak to the ref. So you just have to try and do the best you can when you get the chance.

As expected, the Fijian attack was good. Is defence something you’re looking to improve after your first game?

Our defence we thought was very good. Especially our scramble D (defence). Obviously we can improve, but our focus this week was more about our attack and capitalising once we have gone into our green zone, something we failed to do against Fiji. 

What are you looking forward to most about the NRC season?

I’m looking forward to the annual derby clash between Country and City . I haven’t played that game really and now I know a lot more boys because of the Reds and I can’t wait to match up against some of my good Brothers [club] mates. It’s going to be a good night in Gladstone as well!

Will these Under-20s Wallabies friendships be in jeopardy during the NRC?

Brandon Paenga-Amosa tells Brisbane City and Queensland Fans to Get Ready

Hey B, Great to catch up again. Thanks for making time for our second Reds Rugby Rules interview!

That’s all good bro. It’s a pleasure. You’re a legend, all the boys and even the girls love hanging around you. It’s an honour to be interviewed by you.

It’s week 2 of the NRC already! How are you feeling?

Yeah, I’m feeling really good. It’s good I get a break this week, I wasn’t named in the 23. But I know the boys are gonna do the job. Last week was amazing to be a part of, the boys really turned up. I feel like we got the victory, but in the end rugby’s rugby.

I’m really enjoying the comp so far, the boys are awesome, especially the City boys. Such a good vibe.

Big weekend for City AND Queensland Country fans coming up! What’s one thing your team is focusing on ahead of the game against Sydney!

Yeah, good question bro. So this week, I guess for us as City, we pride ourselves on our physicality… Queensland does in general. You know, running hard, putting big shots on and being very physical when it comes to the scrum, line-outs and mauls etcetera. So that’s one area we definitely want to focus on. I know us and Country will be bringing that.

I love how the NRC is also a testing ground for the Reds season next year. I know your focused on this week, but are you looking forward to next years Reds season?

Yeah definitely. I actually can’t wait. It’s gonna be a good season for us. We’ve been talking about a young squad and developing, but I think next years gonna be a year when we start delivering. A lot of the young boys in the squad are starting to step up and I actually cannot wait to see that. To see what we’ve been working hard for. Not every games gonna be perfect, but I know that we will get results next year.

What do you think of the new rules being trialed for NRC? And do you think they’ll affect you much in your position?

With the scrum rule… I love being able to put my head onto the other hookers shoulder and use that to help my props win the bind. Definitely it helps me a lot and us hookers are still trying to find a way to help our props when it comes to binding on to the other pack… we’re not used to it, but the rules to rugby are always changing so we’ve just gotta adapt. 

In terms of the other rules - the 50:22, honestly, I really do like that. It doesn’t affect me, it’s more for the wingers and the fullbacks to worry about. Obviously, when I’m out there and my lungs are dying, it sucks (laughs) but in terms of watching it, I definitely agree it will speed the game up. I know our kickers will get better and start getting those, so that we can get attacking line-outs going towards our try-line.

What do you enjoy the most about playing as hooker?

I haven’t been in the position for a very long time. One thing I hated about being a hooker, I hated scrummaging, this is when I was down in Sydney… I hated getting cauliflower ears… I also hated that I had to throw because I sucked at throwing.. I still stuck a bit at throwing now, I’m still learning. But I think, being up in Queensland, it’s changed my perspective my whole perspective on things. Here at the Reds, we pride ourselves on our scrum and I’ve fallen in love with scrummaging. 

Obviously sometimes I wish I could be standing out wide, chucking chips over the top, catching it and scoring tries, or putting grubbers through for myself.. Or kicking the winning field goals… but I guess God had a different plan for me (laughs). I’m unlucky with my genetics. Nah, I love playing hooker.

Brandon with some of his team-mates

I’ve seen you practice your throwing quite a few times, I don’t think you suck at throwing… What’s been the highlight of your last 2 seasons with the Reds?

A big highlight for me was actually playing for the Reds, my debut down in Melbourne against the Rebels. That was probably the biggest for me. All the club players know it’s hard to crack Super. The amount of time we put in and still a lot of us fall short, it’s hard to crack it. So yeah, playing for the Reds was a dream come true for me, literally. Also, debuting for the Wallabies, I really enjoyed that, having my family there.

Honestly, I couldn’t put it down to one moment… but the biggest thing I love about rugby is how much we get to travel, how much of the world we get to see. We’ve travelled to Argentina, different parts of South Africa, Japan, New Zealand, for me going back, home and seeing all the fam in New Zealand was special.

And finally... what’s your message to Reds and Brisbane City fans, ahead of this Sunday’s game?

I guess the biggest message I could say is get ready, Brisbane City, Queensland, we’re about to tear it up. And that’s not just City, that’s Country as well.

Thanks BPA for your time. I’ll be watching this weekend!

Thank you, my brother. Thank you for actually spending time. Thank you for coming out and interviewing players, we love it, we love this stuff. We appreciate you and I’m speaking on behalf of all the players, the boys and the girls. We love you so much.

Brisbane City play against Sydney this Sunday at Bond University at 1pm.

We're ready!

QLD Country are playing the Canberra Vikings at 3pm at the same location!