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Reds debut for ex-Blues and Melbourne Storm U20 player
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealander Matt McGahan faces a torrid debut in the unfamiliar position of fullback as the Queensland Reds aim to end their long losing streak to Super Rugby rivals NSW Waratahs on Saturday.
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The son of New Zealand rugby league great Hugh McGahan has been thrust into the No.15 jersey with Hamish Stewart (shoulder) injured and Isaac Lucas on Junior Wallabies duty.
The 26-year-old playmaker suffered a broken leg in pre-season after joining the Reds from Japan club rugby but has proven his fitness with a handful of games in Brisbane club rugby.
Nonetheless his first Super Rugby appearance since leaving the Blues at the end of 2016 is a high-stakes one with the Reds having lost their past 10 matches against the Waratahs.
“It’s not his regular position. He’s normally a 10,” Reds defence coach Peter Ryan said.
“He’s played there before definitely but not a great deal of time.
“His efforts and his understanding of the position are pretty good from what I’ve seen so far defensively.
“Him getting to the end of the line or communicating what he’s doing in his role there is second to none so I don’t think he’ll have a problem.”
McGahan is one of two changes to the Reds’ starting XV from the team which fell 30-24 to the Rebels last Friday in Melbourne.
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Coach Brad Thorn has shuffled his pack with Angus Scott-Young moving to No.8 while Lukhan Salakaia-Loto comes into the team in the back row and veteran Scott Higginbotham dropping to the bench.
Just one points separates the traditional rivals, who both have ground to make up on the Brumbies and Rebels in the congested Australian conference.
With a trip across the Tasman to play the Chiefs next week, Ryan admitted Saturday’s match could be a decisive to the Reds’ finals hopes.
“It’s a big moment for us in the game this week,” he said.
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“It means we can either go on or we can fall by the wayside. That’s completely up to our players and us as staff to ensure that doesn’t take place.”
The Reds went down 28-17 to the Waratahs when the two teams last met in March, a match more memorable for the state of the SCG turf than any of the action.
Ryan said a key challenge for the days leading up to the game would be keeping the young Reds team’s emotions in check.
“We want to make it realistic so that we don’t burn ourselves out before we get there on the weekend,” he said.
“We still want to have it to the point where when they get out on the field they really want to hit everything that’s out there in a blue jumper and hurt it.”
Reds: Matt McGahan, Jock Campbell, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Samu Kerevi, Sefa Naivalu, Bryce Hegarty, Tate McDermott, Angus Scott-Young, Liam Wright, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Alex Mafi, JP Smith. Reserves: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Hoopert, Ruan Smith, Scott Higinbotham, Caleb Timu, Moses Sorovi, Duncan Paia’aua, Seb Wileman.
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments