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!