1
Hunter Paisami starts as Reds prepare for ‘tough’ Force out west
Wallaby Hunter Paisami is back at the perfect time for the Queensland Reds as they prepare to make the trek out west to take on the Force at Perth’s HBF Park.
ADVERTISEMENT
Paisami will start at inside centre for the Reds as a direct replacement for the injured Issac Henry, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during the win over the Rebels in round four.
Henry is set for a six to nine-month recovery period after undergoing surgery to repair the ruptured patella tendon he suffered last time out at AAMI Park.
But Paisami comes in as a timely replacement, with the more-than-20-Test Wallaby’s inclusion coming as a major boost to the Reds as they search for what would be their fourth win in five starts.
Queensland are second on the Super Rugby Pacific standings behind the Hurricanes. The Canes are the only team who have beaten the Reds this season, but that was a golden point thriller during Super Round in Melbourne.
“Before being sidelined, Hunter was in top form with his consistently solid performances. He is a plus for us,” coach Kes Kiss said in a statement.
“Our analysis of the Force shows they are playing periods of really good rugby. We played and lost to them in a trial at Ballymore six weeks ago so we know how tough an opponent they will be on their home ground.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We have to concentrate on our own game to keep our standards high. We know we put ourselves under pressure against the Rebels in the second half last game so there have been areas of our game to work on.
“The guys are a very tight group and this opportunity on the road is another chance to keep improving.”
The other big change for the Reds sees 19-year-old playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips make way for 20-year-old Tom Lynagh to start in the No. 10 jersey this week.
McLaughlin-Phillips was impressive in the starting role during the commanding win over the Rebels on Friday night, but Lynagh has emerged as a genuine Wallabies bolter.
ADVERTISEMENT
2023 Junior Wallaby Taj Annan has also been named on the bench with Australia international Jordan Petaia ruled out as he goes through HIA protocols.
The rest of the matchday squad remains the same with the likes of Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson and Josh Flook looking to continue their purple patch of form in Perth.
Queensland will take on the Western Force at 6.35 pm AEST in Perth on Saturday evening.
Reds team to take on Western Force
- Peni Ravai
- Matt Faessler
- Zane Nonggorr
- Seru Uru
- Ryan Smith
- Liam Wright (cc)
- Fraser McReight
- Harry Wilson
- Tate McDermott (cc)
- Tom Lynagh
- Mac Grealy
- Hutner Paisami
- Josh Flook
- Suliasi Vunivalu
- Jock Campbell
Reserves
- Josh Nasser
- George Blake
- Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
- Cormac Daly
- John Bryant
- Kalani Thomas
- Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
- Taj Annan
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately 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.
37 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!
5 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.
5 Go to comments