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Reds lose Tupou but welcome back Petaia, Vunivalu for Highlanders

(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

The Queensland Reds hope some added strike power on the flanks will offset the loss of devastating prop Taniela Tupou for the Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Highlanders.

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Centre Hunter Paisami will miss with a shoulder injury while five-eighth James O’Connor (knee) remains out too, with the injury-hit Reds (7-3) keen to avoid a third-straight defeat this season and record fifth-straight loss to the Highlanders (5-5).

But in Suliasi Vunivalu and Jordan Petaia there is welcome respite on Friday at Suncorp Stadium, the pair back from niggles to torment on each wing after missing last week’s gutting 27-25 loss to the Chiefs.

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Why Super Rugby Pacific is still not yet where it needs to be.

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Why Super Rugby Pacific is still not yet where it needs to be.

“It’s something we probably missed quite a bit last week, just strike runners,” Reds captain and halfback Tate McDermott said, confirming Jock Campbell would remain at fullback.

“They’re the type of players that can create something out of nothing and that’s something we’ll need against the Kiwi teams, particularly the Highlanders, with good defence.”

Seru Uru and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will also return to the starting side after strong bench cameos in injury returns last week.

Victory against the Hurricanes could put the Reds back above the Chiefs, who host the Brumbies, into the top four.

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And it would silence any doubts before a tough regular season finish that features away games to the top-ranked Blues (9-1) and Crusaders (third, 7-3).

Even without Tupou (calf) in the side there will remain an elephant in the room as the Reds chase just their third win from the last 25 games against New Zealand opposition.

“No, I don’t think there is a mental barrier, but we’ve got to prove there isn’t,” McDermott said.

“We’re just coming up against better opposition and we’re learning that if we keep 15 players on the field we will win a game.”

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Indeed the Reds’ 11 yellow cards are four more than any other team, while they are second in penalties conceded behind the Waratahs.

The Chiefs controversially took advantage of the Reds’ weakened scrum once Tupou limped off at halftime, earning constant penalties that proved the difference in a loss McDermott said took days to get over.

Harry Hoopert and Feoa Fotuaika will bookend the front row on Friday, while former Reds prop Albert Anae is back at Ballymore and will come off the bench after being drafted in as injury cover from Japanese rugby.

McDermott expects the same again from the Highlanders, who will be led by savvy No.9 Aaron Smith.

“I think they will target the scrum; you look at that second half [against the Chiefs] but I back our guys to do a job there,” he said.

“I’m not into the intricacies of the scrum world, but I know those guys have done a job before and can do again.”

Reds: Harry Hoopert, Richie Asiata, Feao Fotuaika, Ryan Smith, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Lawson Creighton, Jordan Petaia, Hamish Stewart, Hunter Paisami, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell. Reserves: Matt Faessler, Dane Zander, Albert Anae, Angus Blyth, Angus Scott-Young, Spencer Jeans, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu

– Murray Wenzel

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Andrew 915 days ago

The Chiefs controversially took advantage of the Reds’ weakened scrum once Tupou limped off at ...

Controversially? What's that supposed to mean? They shouldnt have continued to assert the dominance that already buckled Tupou's leg? What was controversial about that? The most controversial matters were the first Reds non try, the illegal tackle by the Reds fb that prevented a Chiefs try yet was only penalised and the Chiefs reserve loosie getting carded at the end, which was quite rightly overturned by the judiciary. Scrum dominance wasnt a controversy at all.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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