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Reds bench skipper Wright as teams named for Super Rugby AU title decider

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Queensland Reds captain Liam Wright has been benched for Saturday’s Super Rugby AU final with coach Brad Thorn reinstating James O’Connor as skipper to face the Brumbies. An ankle injury on the eve of the season meant Wright played once off the bench before his only start came in their only loss to the Western Force a fortnight ago.

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Before that O’Connor had impressed as captain and five-eighth in a seven-game unbeaten run to earn a home final at Suncorp Stadium, where upwards of 40,000 fans are expected. Angus Scott-Young replaces Wright in the back row, with Ryan Smith at lock and Brandon Paenga-Amosa pipping rival hooker Alex Mafi for a starting berth.

Rookie centre Josh Flook has been retained alongside Hamish Stewart in the Reds’ midfield with Hunter Paisami injured, while winger Suliasi Vunivalu (hamstring) was originally due to return in the last round but was not selected in Thorn’s grand final side.

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Brumbies coach Dan McKellar and captain Scott Sio look ahead to the Super Rugby AU decider

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Brumbies coach Dan McKellar and captain Scott Sio look ahead to the Super Rugby AU decider

The club says Vunivalu will be fit for the trans-Tasman tournament. Wallabies winger Filipo Daugunu still couldn’t earn a starting berth, though, stuck behind Jock Campbell and Jordan Petaia, with Bryce Hegarty at full-back. The Brumbies have their own injury headaches with former Reds captain and veteran Wallabies forward James Slipper and dangerous flanker Pete Samu both out following injuries in their qualifying final defeat of the Western Force.

“I’m gutted for him,” Brumbies prop Scott Sio said of Slipper. “He would have loved to have obviously played there in front of family and friends in a grand final up there at Suncorp… so we have got to do the job for him and the guys who are unfortunately missing out this week and make sure we will bring back some silverware for them.”

 

Test hooker Folau Fainga’a, who also came from the field early against the Force, has been dropped to the bench with Lachlan Lonergan named to start alongside Sio. A late inclusion in the Brumbies squad as an injury replacement, Henry Stowers is in line to make his debut for the club on the biggest stage.

“I was amazed Henry wasn’t signed by anyone across the globe, I thought he was outstanding last year for the Force and he’s worked hard to get himself in Super Rugby shape over the last few weeks and he’ll be good for us,” Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said.

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REDS: Bryce Hegarty, Jordan Petaia, Josh Flook, Hamish Stewart, Jock Campbell, James O’Connor (capt), Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Angus Scott-Young, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Ryan Smith, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Feao Fotuaika. Reps: Alex Mafi, Dane Zander, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Liam Wright, Kalani Thomas, Isaac Henry, Filipo Daugunu.

BRUMBIES: Tom Banks, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Irae Simone, Tom Wright, Noah Lolesio, Nic White, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa (capt), Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio. Reps: Folau Fainga’a, Harry Lloyd, Tom Ross, Henry Stowers, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Reesjan Pasitoa, Mack Hansen.

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TI 2 hours ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Rieko took literally years to turn from a defensive liability at 13 into a guy, who’s defensively sound as it befits the position. And it all came at the cost of him being much less of an offensive threat, than what he used to be. Proctor is a natural 13, he handles, passes, and kicks way better than Rieko ever will, he just isn’t as fast.


It’s unfair to judge Tupaea on the handful of games he’s had in 2022 before he got nearly crippled by a Wallaby lock. What could Tupaea/Proctor pairing be, if they got the same amount of chances as Jordie/Rieko?


Because no matter how you spin it, playing a player outside of his natural position is a poor asset management. No matter how talented he is, he still competes against players who had years and years of practice at the position. And if said guy is so talented that he actually CAN compete against specialists, imagine how much better still he could have been, if he had all those years to iron the toothing issues at the position. It just drives me mad.


Two things I hate in rugby union beyond description: aping after league, and playing players outside of their natural position. Especially considering, that they all admit they hate it, when they’re allowed to speak freely. Owen Farrell spent 80% of his international career at 12, saying every time when asked, that he is a 10 and prefers to play at 10. Those players are literally held at a gunpoint: play out of position, or no national jersey for you.

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