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'You could just see how excited he was to be back': Richard Kahui primed for Super Rugby return

(Photo by Teaukura Moetaua/Getty Images)

Western Force have set their sights on taking down the Brumbies’ all-Wallabies front row when the two sides lock horns in Sydney on Saturday night.

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The Brumbies’ front row of Scott Sio (63 Tests), Folau Fainga’a (12), and Allan Alaalatoa (37) boast a combined 112 Test caps between them.

In contrast, the Force’s trio of Kieran Longbottom, 25-year-old hooker Feleti Kaitu’u, and 22-year-old Angus Wagner have none, with 27-Test Wallaby Greg Holmes ruled out with a broken thumb.

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Wagner and Kaitu’u didn’t even have any Super Rugby experience before this year, but they’ve already proven they are no pushovers.

Longbottom has been impressed by what the duo have produced so far, and he’s confident they will hold their own against the Brumbies.

“Their growth has been huge,” Longbottom said.

“The work they did on the weekend against the Reds was massive, and you could just feel the confidence they got out of that.

“It’s a very good front row (the Brumbies have), but we see it as a challenge and an opportunity to prove ourselves.

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“It’s a Wallaby front row. So if we can have a great day out against them, we can be super proud of that and set our team up for success.”

It’s not just the Brumbies’ front row that poses a threat, with their backline featuring powerhouse runners Irae Simone, Tevita Kuridrani, and winger Solomone Kata.

The Brumbies are unbeaten after two games, while the Force have suffered tight losses to the Waratahs and Reds.

The Force will unleash World Cup-winning All Blacks centre Richard Kahui off the bench, with fellow Kiwi Jeremy Thrush to captain the side in the absence of Ian Prior (shoulder).

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“He’s been energetic and really helpful,” Longbottom said of Kahui, who won the World Cup with the All Blacks in 2011.

“We had a presentation for his jersey earlier this morning, and you could just see how excited he was to be back in Super footy, to be back with a group as open and welcoming as we are.

“He brings a lot of experience to that backline.”

The Force have lost 10 of their past 11 games against the Brumbies, but Longbottom says the team is confident of causing a boilover.

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R
RedWarrior 38 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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