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'They let us go': Fainga'a brothers say Reds-Brumbies rivalry is strong ahead of Super Rugby AU final

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

They felt it when leaving Canberra for Brisbane 12 years ago and twins Anthony and Saia Fainga’a say the rivalry has only grown due to the tribal nature of Super Rugby AU.

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The Reds and Brumbies will meet in the decide for the second-straight year, with Suncorp Stadium expected to be near capacity on Saturday for the ground’s best-attended rugby game in almost a decade.

The Brumbies narrowly won last year’s title but have lost two similarly close clashes to the Reds this season in spicy contests.

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Queensland Reds halfback Tate McDermott ahead of final

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Queensland Reds halfback Tate McDermott ahead of final

The Fainga’a brothers fondly recall the Reds’ only Super Rugby championship in 2011, having left the Brumbies for Ballymore three years earlier.

“They let us go, said ‘Anthony you’re no good’ and now, there’s been a lot of words between these two sides currently,” Anthony Fainga’a said on Wednesday.

“But you go to where you get the opportunity and now the domestic competition itself is really allowing that tribalism to build.

“When we got to the Reds (in 2009) we were coming last and there’s similarities with this side.

“Last year they were written off and this year they’ve won every game except for one, have everything to play for and such great talent.”

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Brumbies coach Dan McKellar was happy to accept the role of underdogs earlier this week and it came as no surprise to Saia Fainga’a.

“The Brumbies have been underdogs since they started,” he said.

“It’s going to be a great game … the Reds, they’re exciting, people want to come and are re-energised.”

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TI 1 hour ago
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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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Hellhound 1 hour ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


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As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

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