Ex-All Black prop set for Super Rugby comeback with Reds
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen expects some “pleasantries” when he reacquaints himself with the Chiefs as the Queensland Reds’ new bench weapon.
The once-capped All Blacks prop hasn’t played Super Rugby since leaving the Hurricanes for Europe in 2019.
New Reds coach Les Kiss lured him back to the southern hemisphere, but a pre-season “knee grumble” meant he missed the first two rounds, including last weekend’s golden-point loss to his old club.
The experienced front-rower is now in line for a timely Reds debut off the bench at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday against the unbeaten Chiefs.
“Historically, the Chiefs always like to throw in a bit of chat,” the 33-year-old said.
“I’ve been away from Super for about five years, but hopefully there’s some chat and banter, I like some back-and-forth, within reason.”
Fellow Kiwi forward import Alex Hodgman (shoulder) and backline weapons Jordan Petaia and Hunter Paisami (concussion) will miss the clash with the unbeaten Chiefs.
A high shot on Petaia from Jordie Barrett resulted in the Highlanders player copping a three-week suspension.
The Chiefs beat the Reds 29-21 in a tight quarter-final last year, but Toomaga-Allen has seen enough of his new teammates to think they can match it at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
“Being on the other side of the fence now, you can just see how much they want it,” he said.
“Over the years you could say teams have rolled over against Kiwi teams, but we’re not that team.
“They bleed, bruise, fatigue like us – it’s anyone’s game.
“And going to dark places when you need to … that’s what I’m bringing to the team.”
Kiss said the charismatic forward had “found his engine” after missing about 10 days of pre-season scrum and maul work.
“He’s great technically and tactically, and every team’s got to have different personalities,” the coach said.
“He brings his own style and it comes out. He’s a crafty player, finds his little angles in defence to challenge.”
Coming off a morale-boosting 48-34 victory over the Force, the Rebels take on Moana Pasifika at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton in the early Friday night game.
Despite a bruising stint in the starting side, Taniela Tupou has returned to the bench, with coach Kevin Foote rotating his front row.
Game-breaking fullback Andrew Kellaway has been moved to the wing, with Jake Strachan taking over the No.15 jersey.
Lock Darcy Swain returns from injury for the ACT Brumbies, who have shifted Tom Hooper to the back row to accommodate another injury to the in-form Charlie Cale.
Tamati Tua will start at inside centre against the Force at home on Saturday, while the visitors have replaced injured English No.13 Sam Spink with Bayley Kuenzle in their only change to the team that lost to the Rebels.
Izaia Perese will return from concussion to face the Highlanders on Friday at Allianz Stadium after missing the NSW Waratahs’ defeat of the Crusaders in Melbourne, while Ned Hanigan will start in the No.6.
Comments on RugbyPass
Unfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
35 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to comments