The Queensland Reds have dumped Wallabies No.8 Radike Samo but rushed Test centre Anthony Faingaa back from injury for Friday night’s Super Rugby clash with the struggling Blues in Auckland.
Both moves come as a surprise as Samo failed to make the 23-man squad which flew out of Brisbane on Wednesday morning while Faingaa, who will start off the bench at Eden Park, has been forced to accelerate his return due to the Reds’ backline injury crisis.
It’s the second time in four weeks the Reds’ cult hero has been left out altogether as a long 2011 season appears to have taken its toll and reduced his impact.
Samo was guilty of a terrible defensive miss in Queensland’s 23-13 loss to the Stormers when veteran five-eighth Peter Grant stood him up to score late in the first half.
Faingaa hasn’t played for nine weeks due to hamstring and foot problems but long-term injuries to Sam Lane (knee) and Ben Tapuai (collarbone) has increased the need for the tough-tackling midfielder.
Reds coach Ewen McKenzie wants to ease the World Cup centre back into action off the bench but Faingaa says he’s prepared to play a full game if required.
The man who will take Tapuai’s place at outside centre will be world-class winger Digby Ioane, who is champing at the bit following his controversial five-week Super Rugby suspension.
Queensland will unleash Ioane against the Blues’ midfield bruise brothers Ma’a Nonu and Rene Ranger on Friday night.
Among the fittest players in the game, the 21-Test flyer has a history of hitting the ground running and is confident of producing his lethal best in what’s a crunch game for the defending champions.
“I’m just hungry to get on the field – it’s been five weeks,” Ioane said.
“It’s like I just started a full pre-season. I doubt there will be any rust. I’ve been playing the game for too long.
“We’ve been struggling but I’m just glad to be part of the team again.
“I’ll just help the backline because it’s very young.
“I just want to touch the ball as many times as I can.”
With the Reds suffering four losses from their past five matches, Ioane and Faingaa’s comebacks couldn’t be better timed.
They sit third in the Australian conference, just five points from the leading Brumbies, but they enter a difficult three-match stint against Kiwi outfits the Blues, Crusaders and Chiefs.
“This is where it all counts,” Ioane said.
“The New Zealand teams are going to be tough – it’s a tough timetable but we’re all looking forward to it.”
While the under-achieving Blues are running last in the competition following five straight losses, they still boast a quality roster and have been close to toppling the Highlanders and Sharks in the past fortnight.
Likely Reds team: Luke Morahan, Rod Davies, Digby Ioane, Mike Harris, Dom Shipperley, Ben Lucas, Will Genia, Scott Higginbotham, Liam Gill, Beau Robinson, James Horwill (capt), Rob Simmons, James Slipper, James Hanson, Ben Daley. Res: Albert Anae, Greg Holmes, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Ed Quirk, Jake Schatz, Nick Frisby, Anthony Faingaa.
Harry
Guest
I'll single out Morahan, Davies, Simmons and Daley as players who have to step up and play better than they have been. All are guilty of shirking responsibility on the field, and though all still young, are now into their 3rd year of professional rugby so need to be imposing themselves. Harris and Lucas will hopefully be better after their returns from injury.
Deez
Guest
Heres hoping AWH finds his form from last year quickly. He has been off the paddock for a bit now
Dino
Guest
Does anyone know if Samo is playing club rugby this weekend? Is he still with Southern Districts?
rl
Guest
great to see AWH back, expect to see him replacing Simmons if his current patchy form continues. How Greg Holmes doesn't get a start is beyond me. On current form, I'd almost prefer to see Radike replace Rod Davies on the wing!
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Agree re the back row. better late than never i guess. Samo has always been good in a rampaging team (at Brumbies, SF, Wallabies or Reds level) but as soon as the going gets tough, his gaps in defence and around the ruck are obvious. he is not the type of forwards to help his team turn the tide i reckon.
Jutsie
Guest
He had an absolute shocker in the first half against the stormers, dropping balls, missing tackles. He looked like he was lost at sea. I don't get why mckenzie started him in the first place as the robinson/gill/higginbottom combo looked good against the brumbies.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Love the guy but you need a higher workrate at this level. But i agree with you, he's interesting off the bench(not many players around can play 4 to 8 and 11/14 for a few minutes if needed)
rl
Guest
Completely agree
redsnut
Guest
It has been soooo disappointing to watch the multitude of missed tackles this year. Waving your arms at a player moving is just a waste of time. They have to get their body into it as well.
Riccardo
Guest
"but they way they are losing... just makes me want to stab myself in the eye with a sharp instrument" Love it Shungmao! Sorta the way I feel every time I watch the Blues! On Monday we will be the blind Freddies!
Wilson
Guest
The Reds forwards have looked flat all year, I'm also going to throw Genia in too. On form there would be lucky to make the Wallabies this year which is shocking after last year. I guess some were just caught up in the momentum of a winning team. Last year there was calls for all the Reds team to just change jerseys to Wallaby ones last year. This year it has gotten very quiet on the sure thing Wallaby walk in. Perhaps they are realising that it is harder to shine and play well on a losing team. Just ask the Force stars. The ones who look impressive year in year out are ones with lasting form and talent; even in a hard situation. The Force forwards (particularly Sharpe and the backrowers) are again shining every week and it is great to see that there are some Wallabies who hold form consistantly. It will be very interesting come Wallaby time this year. Pocock is looking good for captain this year, as Horwill would be lucky to get a bench seat on current form.
Tarragon Fields
Guest
Personally, I think Samo needs to be better managed; he's not an 80 minute player anymore; if he were on just for the last 20~30 he would be awesome.
Shungmao
Guest
Moaman, you're 100% spot on, the Reds are on the fireman's pole and sliding south. Being a Reds supporter I can cop the losses, but they way they are losing and the softness of the forwards just makes me want to stab myself in the eye with a sharp instrument. I think they should use their marquee recruitment card and get a bigger 2 or a ball running 8. Yes the backs are injured but even if they weren't there is no go forward from the pigs giving the backs front foot ball. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Moaman
Guest
Just gets tougher for the Reds,doesn't it? I can see them going 0-3 on this trip and they will be lucky not to collect any more injuries en route.