Davies rockets into World Cup contention
Reds Rocket Rod Davies well and truly learned a tough mid-season lesson to finally crack a history-making hat-trick that has him poised for a Test debut.
Blistering winger Davies timed his run perfectly in more ways than one against the Blues on Saturday night when he became the first Queenslander to score three tries in a Super Rugby match.
He didn't have to be informed after the 30-13 semi-final triumph he had broken the 16-season drought - he knew from personal experience in round five.
"Against the Cheetahs I scored two tries early on and I dropped one over the line later on and the boys let me know it afterwards that no one had scored three tries for the Reds," Davies said.
A former schoolboy sprint champion who once clocked 10.8 for 100m, Davies showcased his pace with an early 70m intercept try and a blitzing second-half effort that left three defenders in his wake.
He also showed strength and good step to bust past Stephen Brett and Keven Mealamu for the game-clinching five-pointer.
The 22-year-old's pace is sure to have him down in Wallabies coach Robbie Deans' little black book for a place in a World Cup squad that is short on finishers with pure speed.
Drew Mitchell's ankle surgery has left fellow Waratahs winger Lachie Turner as the only proven Test flyer but Davies would edge them both.
Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie rates Rockhampton-bred Davies, nicknamed `Rocket', as the fastest player in the competition and said the big improver would be an asset in any team.
"It's hard to replace genuine speed," McKenzie said. "You can do a lot with it if you can get the people on the right position you can capitalise on that.
"He's a great resource for us and I think that was one of his best games."
Davies' 12th-minute intercept, boldly coming off his wing to leave three Blues unmarked outside him waiting for Lachie Munro's pass, was a 14-point play.
"It was more instinctive," he said. "You can't be in two minds when you're going an intercept ... I really went for it and it paid off."
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