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Jordan Petaia remains on ice while Waratahs struck by hooking crisis
The Queensland Reds will keep Jordan Petaia on ice with an eye to the Super Rugby Pacific finals while the Waratahs face a hooking crisis with two regulars ruled out with concussion.
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Injury-plagued Petaia hasn’t been recalled to face the Chiefs on Friday night after missing last week’s loss to the Hurricanes with a minor hamstring issue.
Petaia has been troubled by hamstring complaints in his short career but the Reds insist it’s not a serious setback as they adopt a careful approach ahead of finals and a three-test series against England in July.
In Jock Campbell they have adequate cover at fullback, while Filipo Daugunu has lost his wing spot to Josh Flook.
Key pair Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Seru Uru return from injury and are on the bench.
Lawson Creighton will again start in the No 10 jersey with James O’Connor (knee) out for at least another three weeks.
The Chiefs will be without skipper Sam Cane, denying in-form Reds flanker Fraser McReight a shot at the All Blacks star.
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The Reds (7-2) beat the Chiefs (6-3) in Townsville last year and will be thirsty for more success in Brisbane after letting a 17-0 lead slip against the Hurricanes in the last round.
The Waratahs will be without concussed hookers Dave Porecki and Tom Horton, while Alex Newsome replaces Will Harrison (knee) at fullback to face the Crusaders.
The pair were ruled out of contention on Wednesday after failing their head injury assessments during the weekend’s game, with Mahe Vailanu named to start and his replacement on the bench still to be confirmed.
Allan Alaalatoa (neck) remains out for the top-of-the-table Brumbies, who will welcome fullback Tom Banks’ return from a facial injury for their game against the Hurricanes on Sunday in Canberra.
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Banks’ return sees Tom Wright shift back to the right wing, with Ollie Sapsford’s bench inclusion the only other change to the only victorious Australian outfit last weekend.
Following Matt To’omua’s head knock last week, Carter Gordon will start at No 10 again for the improved Melbourne Rebels against Moana Pasifika on Saturday.
Pone Fa’amausili (calf) is also back via the bench and Raymond Nu’u returns to the centres alongside Stacey Ili.
The Western Force have welcomed back a host of talent after Covid-19 woes forced the postponement of last weekend’s game against Moana Pasifika.
They’ll face the equal-first Blues (8-1) in Perth on Friday, needing a win to stay inside the top-eight that will contest finals.
– Murray Wenzel
Comments on RugbyPass
Good decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
2 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
5 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
21 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
5 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
5 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
2 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
5 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
21 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
21 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
19 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to comments