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'Watch this space': Queensland Reds backline reshuffle could see some surprises
Jock Campbell has emerged as a surprise playmaking option for the Queensland Reds while Jordan Petaia’s first minutes at fullback only strengthened the argument for more.
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But last year’s domestic champions will still enter Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific opener against the Melbourne Rebels with many questions to answer after back-to-back trial losses.
The Reds were lucky just to get some game time in Roma on Saturday night, power returning just as officials were set to cancel their clash with the Waratahs after the regional Queensland town was plunged into darkness minutes before kick off.
The hosts struggled in a flat first half, Petaia’s cameo at fullback and Jock Campbell’s move to five-eighth two bright spots in a 21-14 loss.
Both men, as well as James O’Connor and coach Brad Thorn, missed last week’s trial loss to the Western Force after contracting COVID-19.
O’Connor, last year’s Australian Super Rugby player of the year, started at five-eighth and will look to dominate that position and entrench himself in Wallabies coach Dave Rennie’s best 15 ahead of the 2023 World Cup.
But with Bryce Hegarty departing for the English Premiership, Campbell has surfaced as the Reds’ new Swiss army knife.
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“It’s competitive … James did a great job last year and if there’s an injury you’ve got Jock there,” Thorn said.
“We know he can play wing, at 15 and he’s been working at 10 over the summer and he looked pretty sharp.
“He brings a big kick and he’s a threat as well.”
Youngsters Tom Lynagh and Lawson Creighton could also come into the equation, while Suliasi Vunivalu is nearing a return from a recurring hamstring injury to create further gridlock for spots on the Reds’ edges.
Petaia could open up a spot on the wing for the former NRL star if he continues the shift to fullback many in Australian rugby have been long calling for.
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Fullback remains a wide open spot ahead of the World Cup and Petaia’s confident showing came with Rennie watching from a scissor-lift above the ground.
“It was good to see him out there, have a crack at fullback,” Thorn said.
“He enjoyed that, looked good there and there’s been a bit of chat about that last year.
“I was talking about it four years ago; he likes the fullback role … at the minimum it brings competition.”
Thorn admitted the Reds needed to improve quickly and that the COVID-19 cases over the last fortnight – Tate McDermott and Hunter Paisami missed the Waratahs game – had left them flying partially blind into the first round.
“You’re probably right (we are a bit underdone),” he said.
“It affects you doesn’t it; who you play and combinations.
“But some of the teams haven’t had any COVID and most of our team have had it, even the coach.
“So watch this space as far as how it plays out.”
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
5 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
5 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments