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'Keep the zoo quiet': Reds looking to bury Highlanders on way to the play-offs

Sef Fa'agase of the Reds is tackled during the round 10 Super Rugby Pacific match between the Queensland Reds and the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium, on April 29, 2023, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

A trip to the Highlanders’ zoo stands between the Queensland Reds and a Super Rugby Pacific finals berth.

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But the Reds have a zookeeper in their midst in forward Sef Fa’agase, who’s drawing on his time at the Dunedin club in 2019 ahead of Friday’s crucial match.

The Reds (23 points) are seventh, just four points or one win ahead of the ninth-placed Highlanders entering the penultimate round.

After this weekend, Brad Thorn’s men head to Fiji to face the 10th-placed Drua (17 points) and could need wins in both games to feature in the finals in the coach’s last campaign.

Fa’agase isn’t looking any further than Dunedin though, where the well-travelled campaigner played at provincial and Super Rugby level in 2019.

Forsyth Barr Stadium has a roof and a boisterous home section dubbed the ‘Zoo’, powered by university students.

“It was a great experience; I learnt a lot about how the Kiwis think and how they want to play their footy,” Fa’agase said of his New Zealand stint.

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“It’s pretty vocal; i don’t think many of the boys have experienced anything like it.

“It’ll be a new experience and a fun one too. Hopefully we can keep the zoo quiet.”

“Just be prepared to run. It’s a fast deck, the elements don’t play too much into the game.”

The Reds were humbled by a Blues team resting five All Blacks last week, crashing them back to earth after a historic defeat of the Chiefs a week earlier.

“We’ll need to treat it like a final,” Fa’agase said.

“They really need a win and so do we.”

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GabrielArthur 44 minutes ago
Conor Murray: French giants weigh up shock move for Ireland star

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GS 2 hours ago
James O'Connor, the Lions and the great club v country conundrum

Whilst I dislike what is occurring with the French clubs, they are not the only parties involved in this activity. You can also look to Ireland and its “Project Player” Scheme, or how Scotland picks players with zero background who have never lived in Scotland.


But market forces will dictate where players will end up.


If RA wants to retain these players, then it should offer them remuneration in line with or better than what the French clubs can. The NZRFU should have offered Aki, Lowe, or Fergus Burke a higher salary than what was offered by the likes of Irish Rugby, Sacarens, etc., if it wanted to retain them.


These kids going to France and the aforementioned Kiwi players are attempting to build a career and financial security in a career that can end with one injury. Think about that—one bad injury, and your career is over, so just like anyone, they have to make the smart, informed decision that is right for them and their families.


If the likes of Oz and NZ can’t or are not prepared to match the $$$, so be it - this is the reality of professional rugby, and whilst it turns the international game into a glorified club comp, I’m not sure if there is any solution.


And let’s remember it’s not all negative. This movement of players from Nth to South gives kids like Blair Murray or Taine Plumtree the ability to earn good $$ and experience international rugby, when let’s face it, they would at best be on the fringes of a Super Rugby squad - so it’s not all bad!

3 Go to comments
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GabrielArthur 2 hours ago
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