Italy-bound centre Josh Flook is confident his Queensland career will extend beyond this weekend despite the Reds having fallen at Super Rugby Pacific's qualifying final hurdle four times in succession.
The Reds must beat the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday to avoid another exit in the first week of the finals. If the Queenslanders' run of qualifying finals defeats extends to five, Flook's time at the Reds will be over – at least for the time being – with the 24-year-old outside back having signed a deal to join Italian club Benetton Treviso.
"We've spoken about that we've got to this stage for the last five years now but haven't been able to get over this hurdle," Flook said. "There's definitely that hunger. Everyone's got that little bit of taste to reach that next level and go two steps further and be in the big one (the Super Rugby Pacific final) in three weeks' time. We've got take it one game at a time, but the goal is definitely to be there at the end."
"We've just learnt our lesson from the past few years. We've been such a tight-knit group for so many years now, and we know each other so well. We can build off that and really fly into this final. We know that it's going to have to be an 80-minute performance because the Chiefs are such a good side. They don't have too many weaknesses."
Flook admitted he had been emotional about the reality that his Reds career would be coming to a close some time this month. "This has been my home for the past eight years. This is all I've ever known, so to leave this place eventually, hopefully in three weeks' time, is going to be something new, but I'm excited for the next step in my rugby journey," he said.
"To be able to branch off and learn more, not just on the footy field but about myself as a person as well … I've never lived out of home. That's a new experience for me as well. To challenge myself against international players as well … I've had the privilege of playing against all the best Aussie and New Zealand talent for so long, so it'll be nice to test myself against some people I haven't played against before."
Before Flook leaves for Italy, he hopes to have the chance to add to his six Wallabies caps. "It came into my mindset that potentially I wouldn't be able to put on that gold jersey for a year (due to his move to Italy), but I'm hoping that I've been able to play good enough at Super Rugby level this year that I will put my name in the minds of the coaches and potentially be able to be in and around the squad and participate in that arena," he said.
