Frisby, Ready dropped in Qld Reds shake-up

Apr 5, 2017 - 6:15 AM Queensland Reds insist Nick Frisby and Andrew Ready were dumped for on-field issues ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby clash in Canberra after a report emerged that the pair went drinking and missed a weekend recovery session.

Reds coach Nick Stiles on Wednesday relegated Wallabies halfback Frisby and hooker Ready to club rugby, publicly criticising their match preparation.

A News Corp report claimed the pair went out drinking after being singled out for a Stiles spray at last weekend's post-match press conference and did not attend an optional Sunday recovery.

But a Reds spokesman said Stiles had made up his mind to cut the pair from his bench straight after last weekend's 34-15 result against defending champions the Hurricanes - their fifth successive loss.

The Reds also insist they did not hold a Sunday recovery session, however, senior players did attend for optional treatment while watching the Queensland Under 20s win the national championship at Ballymore.

The Reds have already ruled out investigating whether any disciplinary action should be taken.

Stiles was critical of the pair in last weekend's post-match press conference and didn't let up when he unveiled his new look team on Wednesday.

"I flagged straight after the game at the weekend that I was disappointed with the bench and it wasn't just that game," he said.

"Over the last couple of weeks in particular Andrew Ready and Nick Frisby's preparation hadn't been spot on.

"You can't just rock up on a Saturday and expect to win.

"It's the preparation you've got to put in Monday to Friday that sets you up to perform well and unfortunately for those two it hasn't been up to scratch.

"What I'm hoping now is that they'll go back to club rugby and I'm wanting to see a response from them."

Despite also losing fullback to Karmichael Hunt to concussion for the Brumbies clash, Stiles wielded the axe on Wednesday in an effort to get more from his under-performing bench.

It comes after the Reds squandered another good first half before the Hurricanes got away in the second stanza.

Former Brisbane NRL utility Lachlan Maranta will make his run-on debut at fullback to replace Hunt.

"I saw him play as a schoolboy and he's very gifted," Stiles said of Maranta.

"Then he went into the Broncos and you don't get a better culture to really grow and flourish in than there.

"During his time there he's played in numerous big games for the Broncos and I think that experience is going to be important when we go down and play the Brumbies this weekend."

Source: AAP