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Banks and Petaia to go head-to-head in top-of-the-table Super Rugby clash
Jordan Petaia has retained his place at fullback while Liam Wright returns from injury for the Queensland Reds’ top-of-the-table Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Brumbies.
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Reds coach Brad Thorn experimented with the prodigious talent in the No 15 last week against the Fijian Drua, Petaia exploding for a first-half try and several strong carries as they escaped with a tight win.
It was enough to keep him in the jersey ahead of Jock Campbell, who has been in superb form and will line up on the wing with Josh Flook, who is keeping Test winger Filipo Daugunu out of the side altogether.
The 21-year-old’s best position has been a topic of intense debate ever since he debuted in the 2019 World Cup in the centres.
And, ahead of next year’s edition in France, it sets up a tasty showdown with first-choice Wallabies No 15 Tom Banks on Friday night.
Fringe Wallabies backrower and Reds co-captain Wright will return from a round-one shoulder injury in last year’s domestic grand-final replay on the bench.
Hooker Folau Fainga’a and former Reds captain and prop James Slipper will return to the starting side for the steady Brumbies, who are one point clear of the Reds in top spot on the ladder after four unbeaten rounds.
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“We’re happy with where we’re at this stage of the season but we know Friday night is going to be our biggest challenge so far,” coach Dan McKellar said.
“The Reds are a good side; we have plenty of respect for what they do, and I think the rivalry we’ve created with them over the past couple of years is great for Australian rugby.”
For the NSW Waratahs, David Porecki returns to the starting team after recovering from a groin injury and packs down alongside Angus Bell and Harry Johnson-Holmes in the front row to face the Melbourne Rebels.
Geoff Cridge returns to the starting side after making a successful return from his ankle injury via the bench last weekend and joins stand-in skipper Jed Holloway in the second row.
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No 7 Richard Hardwick will play his 50th game for the winless Rebels as they play for the Weary Dunlop Shield at the SCG.
And Harrison Lloyd and Greg Holmes will make their first starts of the season for the Western Force in two of six changes to the starting side to face the Fijian Drua at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.
– Murray Wenzel
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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