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Peni Ravai looking to ‘prove’ himself at Reds after ‘dream’ World Cup
Fiji prop Peni Ravai is looking to “prove” himself to Queensland Reds coaches in 2024 after the arrival of two former All Blacks and a Junior Wallaby during the off-season.
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Former New Zealand internationals Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Alex Hodgman are two marquee recruits for the Reds as they usher in a new era with coach Les Kiss at the helm.
Junior Wallaby Massimo de Lutiis is also in the mix for the Reds, with the Queenslanders now boasting impressive depth in the front row.
Wallaby Zane Nonggorr will also push for a starting spot in Super Rugby Pacific after entering the fray of Test rugby in 2023, and Geroge Blake is another option for the Reds.
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But only two of these men can start in the front row for the Reds, with another two on the bench. Six does not go into four which creates an exciting competition for places within the squad.
Ravai, who has played 50 Tests for Fiji, played on both sides of the scrum last season. The 33-year-old started six of 14 matches for the Reds in 2023, but a new season awaits.
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“There is a lot of competition but it’s up to the coaches,” Ravai told Queensland Reds Media.
“As a player, I just need to do my job and prove myself and do all of the things that the coaches want from us. Hopefully, from there, I’ll get selected.
“It’s tight selection across the front row, all of the props are good, young and mobile. Hopefully I get a chance to play.
“The level of competition will be good for us players. If you want to play every week, you have to move up and compete with each other to get a spot in the 15 or in the 23.”
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Ravai was a big-name recruit for the Reds before last season, with the prop joining the Queenslanders at Ballymore following a stint with Top 14 side Clermont.
Following an impressive debut Super Rugby Pacific campaign, Ravai was included in Fiji’s Rugby World Cup squad.
Fiji went on to create history in France by qualifying for the quarter-finals for the first time in 16 years. On their way to the knockout rounds, the Flying Fijians ended a 69-year drought by beating Australia in pool play.
“I’m excited to be back after what was a huge year of rugby last year. I’m glad to be back with the team once again,” Ravai said.
“To come back from injury and get selected for Fiji in the Rugby World Cup squad was a big achievement for me.
“I hoped for the best and to play in a Rugby World Cup – it was a dream and that is what happened. 2023 was a dream come true.”
The Queensland Reds will kick off their 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign at home when they take on arch-rivals the NSW Waratahs in Brisbane on February 24.
Comments on RugbyPass
Danny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“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.
4 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.
38 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
4 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…
2 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 …
35 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
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