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Former All Blacks prop handed first start with Reds in Super Rugby Pacific

26 Mar 2024

Jeff Toomaga-Allen of the Reds celebrates the victory during the round three Super Rugby Pacific match between Queensland Reds and Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium, on March 09, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Former All Blacks and Hurricanes prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen will start for the Reds for the first time in Super Rugby Pacific when the Queenslanders host the Brumbies on Saturday evening.

Toomaga-Allen, who was more recently capped for Samoa, has been promoted to the First XV along with wing Jordan Petaia as the only two changes to the run-on side.

The 33-year-old, who has played more than 200 first-class games in New Zealand, Europe and Australia, has been called on by coach Les Kiss three times to date this season.

“Our scrum has been a great platform for us. Jeffery’s experience will be valuable in this area. Zane (Nonggorr) has done a fantastic job starting and the finisher role is an important one,” coach Les Kiss said in a statement.

Wallaby Jordan Petaia also returns to the starting side as a replacement for Suliasi Vunivalu who drops to the bench.

The third and final day to the Reds’ matchday 23 is the inclusion of playmaker Lawson Creighton who has been selected ahead of 19-year-old Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.

“Suli has played a lot of minutes this season. This is another rotation. We want to maintain our No.13 and No.15 in position and we know Jordie has regularly shown his quality on the wing,” Kiss continued.

“Lawson has been very impressive in training and in the games he has played for our Development XV and Brothers.

“We are very happy with the progress of Harry McLaughlin-Phillips coming into Super Rugby as a 19-year-old. He will no doubt feature again.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

Draws

Wins

Average Points scored

First try wins

20%

Home team wins

40%

The Reds were the form Australian side in Super Rugby Pacific across the opening four rounds, with the Queenslanders placed second-overall with just the one defeat.

But a shock round five loss away to the Western Force in Perth has seen the Queenslanders drop down the ladder, with the Brumbies now the top-ranked Australian side in third.

“We’re excited to play against the best Australian team over the past few seasons. They’ve earned that. We’re keen to test ourselves in this one,” Kiss added.

“It’s a big day for the Reds women’s team as well. We’ll be supporting them to open the double-header against the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium.”

The match at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium is scheduled to get underway at 6:35pm AEST on Saturday evening.

Reds team to take on Brumbies

Peni Ravai
Matt Faessler
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
Seru Uru
Ryan Smith
Liam Wright (cc)
Fraser McReight
Harry Wilson
Tate McDermott
Tom Lynagh
Mac Grealy
Hunter Paisami
Josh Flook
Jordan Petaia
Jock Campbell

Reserves

Josh Nasser
George Blake
Zane Nonggorr
Cormac Daly
John Bryant
Kalani Thomas
Lawson Creighton
Suliasi Vunivalu

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 5 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 5 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 5 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 5 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍