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Report: Reds lose Wallabies midfielder Hunter Paisami to injury hours out from Brumbies clash

(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

The Queensland Reds have been dealt a hefty injury blow in the lead-up to their blockbuster Super Rugby AU clash against the Brumbies in Brisbane.

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Wallabies midfielder Hunter Paisami has reportedly been ruled out of the match due to a calf injury, according to Fox Sports.

The 22-year-old had been named to start at centre for Brad Thorn’s side, but he has instead been replaced by Josh Flook, who had initially been named to start from the bench.

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Former Australua U20 representative Lawson Creighton has also come into the match day side to take Flook’s place on the pine.

Fox Sports reports that the Queensland outfit had hoped to keep the injury news quiet, but it is understood the youngster will be available for his side’s final match of the regular season against the Force in two weeks’ time.

Paisami has been a standout for the Reds since debuting for the franchise in 2019 and is part of a strong, youthful nucleus of the squad.

He – along with the likes of Jordan Petaia, James O’Connor, Filipo Daugunu, Suliasi Vunivalu, Tate McDermott, Jock Campbell and Bryce Hegarty – is also part of a lethal cohort of backs at Suncorp Stadium.

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Formerly of the Rebels, Paisami’s talent and potential was recognised by Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie last year, when he handed the former Australian Schools and Australian U20 representative a test debut against the All Blacks in Wellington.

Paisami went on to play in all six of Australia’s tests in 2020 and was included in Rennie’s 40-man training squad to congregate on the Gold Coast for a three-day training camp this month.

The Reds, meanwhile, sit atop the Super Rugby AU standings with six wins from as many matches, but a defeat to the second-placed Brumbies could see them lose their top-of-the-table status.

Victory over Dan McKellar’s side would ensure the Reds a first-place finish at the end of the regular season, which would guarantee them a home grand final for the first time since their only title-winning season in 2011.

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Kick-off for the match is scheduled for 7:45pm AEST.

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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