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Reds hope man-of-the-match midfielder can help break their 2020 duck

By Online Editors

19 Feb 2020

Hunter Paisami. (Photo by Getty Images)

The Super Rugby emergence of Hunter Paisami and return of Fraser McReight has lifted the mood at the Queensland Reds as they battle with the loss of Jordan Petaia to another season-ending injury.

Teenage Wallabies centre Petaia dislocated his shoulder at training in Argentina last week and missed the clash with the Jaguares.

Scans this week revealed the 19-year-old will require surgery and a 20-week lay-off.

While still a massive blow for the Reds and Australia, Paisami’s player of the match performance in Buenos Aires has raised expectations and allowed Brad Thorn the luxury of naming an unchanged line-up for Saturday’s home opener against the Sunwolves.

The Reds (0-3) will shuffle their bench though, with Junior Wallabies back-rower Fraser McReight (thumb) back from injury while fiery prop Harry Hoopert (neck) and Samoan halfback Scott Malolua have also been added to the reserves.

Continue reading below…

Plucked from Sydney club rugby as an injury replacement for hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Eastwood product Ed Craig could also make his Super Rugby debut off the bench on Saturday night.

James O’Connor was named at No.10 for the third-straight game and Jock Campbell retained at fullback, with utility backs Isaac Lucas and Bryce Hegarty remaining on the bench.

Assistant coach Peter Ryan said it was tough to swallow the news of Petaia’s latest setback but that the Reds had the depth to cope.

“Everyone just feels for his own well-being … two years in a row he’s missed a season and unfortunately for him it was an injury in training,” Ryan said.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8u6ckdA0rI/

“You can live with it more as a player when you get an injury in-game, but in training, it’s just not supposed to happen.

“But for certain (we have the depth); Hunter filled into that position, did an admirable job, got player’s player against the Jaguares in a very physical game.”

The Sunwolves (1-1) were thumped by the Chiefs last weekend but upset the Melbourne Rebels at home in the first week of the season and will keep the Reds on their toes.

Queensland: Jock Campbell, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Hunter Paisami, Hamish Stewart, Henry Speight, James O’Connor, Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright (c), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Alex Mafi, JP Smith. Reserves: Ed Craig, Harry Hoopert, Josh Nasser, Harry Hockings, Fraser McReight – Brothers, Scott Malolua, Isaac Lucas, Bryce Hegarty.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Icefarrow 11 minutes ago

2024 in review: Beauden Barrett’s brilliance sparks thrilling All Blacks win

Yeah, Perofeta's injury opened the door for Love to debut. Love's injury in NPC ruled him out of the Bledisloe Cup matches, but Robertson saw potential in him, so he kept him around for the EOYT. However, Perofeta's recovery meant he could return, hence Love being played on the Wing.

Robertson's attitude was just pissing me off near the end of the year, with how he'd go around complimenting the new guys as if he'd always seen potential in them, despite only giving them a chance due to injuries.

4 Go to comments

SO 1 hour ago

Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’ under Razor

I would remove J Barrett from that list ofbacks with outstanding seasons

12 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I really enjoyed a couple of new locations this year. I think both stadiums crowds were pumping!?!

I said it to NB, but wasn't thinking of 3 match tours when I did (just the RC home/away games), and it would be even better to have a 5 week tour during the 6N right? Play a couple of warm ups against a SAmerican team and Jaguares, then 3 tests in a row?

197 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

What age do the kids come out of Varsity Cup, both the most talented and others that have to go all the way through?

They've tried it but I don't think their version of Currie Cup was ever able to sustain itself (if the CC does).

So you're not longer a primary Currie Cup fan? Can I ask when that changed?

197 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

In 2021, Daily Maverick crunched the numbers and found that upwards of 500 South Africans were playing professional rugby for foreign clubs around the world.

197 Go to comments

Cantab 1 hour ago

Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’ under Razor

It will happen. Watch for Hotham to become understudy to Roigard for instance. As the formerly tried & true depart there are always up & comers ready to fill the gap.

12 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

He said "if" Graham

if they had Japan type interest and Money

Its a lack of ability by SARU thats the problem. SA has plenty of wealth to be able to support it.

I think by wealth he meant rugby wise, at least that's how I read it, as he's clearly saying SA can't do it.

At least not on a big stage, it's relatively accessable to do things like inter varisty competitions, and your guys just took out a competition in Dubai? NZ does stuff like that but I don't get an excitement that their activities can ever amount to much. I'm sure theres a much different feeling of excitement within SA.

In saying that, that sort of thing is actually how they could make money too. But can they dictate things for themselves by forming an African league? That would require some wealthy individuals for sure. Personally I think they should be happy just being a part of someone else idea, or a mutual one, as it will still take the game there to the next level. You just won't get rich by doing it.

197 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Again, what's your point?

If it's anything to do with the discussion going on, I'll just say it's not going to happen in the future, as the Tuipulotu's aren't going to have grandparents from another country.

197 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Any your point is?

No one's begrudging them that. JWH just said it's not a great look for the game, and it isn't.

197 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

That's a bit of a naive statement Nick. Have a read of this article School boy contracting

197 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Whatya mean?

197 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

He included NZ in his point. They won't profit from it because it's now a 5 year residency requirement.

Are you arguing for that to return Nick? I think it would actually be great if kiwis could play for heritage countries like that and still remain eligible for the ABs. I don't think NZR arguing for that change is likely to happen, so it has to come from another means. The new Chairman?

197 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

When was the last time SA won a series in NZ (actually I was thinking about NZ in SA), or the RC? Was that the point you were trying to make?

197 Go to comments

JW 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Well said, the immediate situation is well in hand as all it would take is a little rigging. The real discussion is what happens after that, but I guess people just want to gossip about the short term.

197 Go to comments

JW 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Do you know how it's shared? Split over each URC team? Well said. The new club owners could spice things up right?