1
Former All Blacks prop handed first start with Reds in Super Rugby Pacific
Former All Blacks and Hurricanes prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen will start for the Reds for the first time in Super Rugby Pacific when the Queenslanders host the Brumbies on Saturday evening.
ADVERTISEMENT
Toomaga-Allen, who was more recently capped for Samoa, has been promoted to the First XV along with wing Jordan Petaia as the only two changes to the run-on side.
The 33-year-old, who has played more than 200 first-class games in New Zealand, Europe and Australia, has been called on by coach Les Kiss three times to date this season.
“Our scrum has been a great platform for us. Jeffery’s experience will be valuable in this area. Zane (Nonggorr) has done a fantastic job starting and the finisher role is an important one,” coach Les Kiss said in a statement.
Wallaby Jordan Petaia also returns to the starting side as a replacement for Suliasi Vunivalu who drops to the bench.
The third and final day to the Reds’ matchday 23 is the inclusion of playmaker Lawson Creighton who has been selected ahead of 19-year-old Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.
“Suli has played a lot of minutes this season. This is another rotation. We want to maintain our No.13 and No.15 in position and we know Jordie has regularly shown his quality on the wing,” Kiss continued.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Lawson has been very impressive in training and in the games he has played for our Development XV and Brothers.
“We are very happy with the progress of Harry McLaughlin-Phillips coming into Super Rugby as a 19-year-old. He will no doubt feature again.”
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
1
Draws
0
Wins
4
Average Points scored
19
24
First try wins
20%
Home team wins
60%
The Reds were the form Australian side in Super Rugby Pacific across the opening four rounds, with the Queenslanders placed second-overall with just the one defeat.
But a shock round five loss away to the Western Force in Perth has seen the Queenslanders drop down the ladder, with the Brumbies now the top-ranked Australian side in third.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We’re excited to play against the best Australian team over the past few seasons. They’ve earned that. We’re keen to test ourselves in this one,” Kiss added.
“It’s a big day for the Reds women’s team as well. We’ll be supporting them to open the double-header against the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium.”
The match at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium is scheduled to get underway at 6:35pm AEST on Saturday evening.
Reds team to take on Brumbies
- Peni Ravai
- Matt Faessler
- Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
- Seru Uru
- Ryan Smith
- Liam Wright (cc)
- Fraser McReight
- Harry Wilson
- Tate McDermott
- Tom Lynagh
- Mac Grealy
- Hunter Paisami
- Josh Flook
- Jordan Petaia
- Jock Campbell
Reserves
- Josh Nasser
- George Blake
- Zane Nonggorr
- Cormac Daly
- John Bryant
- Kalani Thomas
- Lawson Creighton
- Suliasi Vunivalu
Comments on RugbyPass
Bit 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
1 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 commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to comments