Wallabies prop James Slipper will attack the Super Rugby pre-season with extra hunger and confidence as the pain from missing Queensland's grand final triumph still burns.
Slipper was named yesterday as one of 10 current Test players in a strong 30-man Reds squad to play their first 2012 trial against the ACT Brumbies in Cairns.
The 22-year-old tight-head was the Queensland hard-luck story of an otherwise fairytale 2011 when he badly injured his ankle early in the final round win over the Waikato Chiefs.
It forced him out of the play-offs, including the thrilling 18-13 victory over the Canterbury Crusaders in a memorable decider, and almost cost him a shot at the Rugby World Cup.
But after a strong end to last year, Slipper admits he'll start the new season with plenty of fire in his belly.
''It's still fresh in my mind, missing the finals,'' he said. ''It was very disappointing on my behalf but in the end we won the premiership and I've got to be happy with that.
''This year I'm just hoping we can get there again so I can have a taste.''
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