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‘Another tough challenge’: Reds name team for Blues clash
After shocking the rugby world with a stunning upset win over the Chiefs in New Plymouth last Friday, the Reds have named their team to take on the Blues this week.
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The Reds, who are set to play their final home game of the season on Friday night, have welcomed rising star Josh Flook back into the starting side.
Flook will line up at outside centre after recovering from a quad injury, while Sef Fa’agase and Taj Annan are the two other changes to the first XV.
Having beaten the previously undefeated Chiefs last week, the Reds are looking for their second consecutive win over New Zealand opposition.
The Reds are set to host the Blues at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium at 7.35pm AEST.
“It’s great to have our last home game this Friday at Suncorp Stadium.” Thorn said in a statement.
“We’re looking forward to playing in front of our Queensland fans for Indigenous Round.
“We face another tough challenge in the Blues who are a top-five team in the competition. We look forward to another competitive game on Friday night.”
Since making his Super Rugby Pacific debut, prop George Blake has been more than impressive for the Reds. After scoring two tries in three games, Blake retains his spot in the run-on side.
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Blake will pack down in the front row alongside Richie Asiata and Sef Fa’agase, while Angus Blyth and Connor Vest round out the tight five.
The backrow trio of Liam Wright, Fraser McReight and Seru Uru also remains unchanged going into the round 13 trans-Tasman derby, with Harry Wilson set to come off the bench once again.
Flyhalf Lawson Creighton will partner Wallaby Tate McDermott in the halves this week, as they look to steer an exciting backline around the park.
Taj Annan and Josh Flook with combine in the midfield, while Wallabies Filipo Daugunu, Suliasi Vunivalu and Joc Campbell have been named to start as the teams’ outside backs.
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Reds team to take on Blues
- George Blake
- Richie Asiata
- Sef Fa’agase
- Angus Blyth
- Connor Vest
- Liam Wright (cc)
- Fraser McReight
- Seru Uru
- Tate McDermott (cc)
- Lawson Creighton
- Filipo Daugunu
- Taj Annan
- Josh Flook
- Suliasi Vunivalu
- Jock Campbell
Replacements:
- Matt Faessler
- Dane Zander
- Zane Nonggorr
- Ryan Smith
- Harry Wilson
- Louis Werchon
- Tom Lynagh
- Mac Grealy
Comments on RugbyPass
This team does not beat the ABs sadly
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to comments