Japan-bound Wallabies veteran Radike Samo is poised to return to the Queensland pack as the Reds aim to break down the strong Stormers defence in Cape Town on Sunday morning (AEST).
In his final season of Super Rugby, the 37-year-old has finally returned to fitness following a knee injury and looks set to be included in the Reds back-row at Newlands.
Tireless workers Ed Quirk and Jake Schatz have started all 13 matches for Queensland this season and are due for a rest.
Schatz has come into his own in the last month form-wise, and blind-side flanker Quirk looms as the man more likely to make way for Samo’s impact.
Newlands has been a happy hunting ground for the Fiji-born No.8 who played a key role in the Reds’ 19-6 upset over the Stormers in 2011.
Coach Ewen McKenzie admitted he was looking closely at his back-row composition against the injury-hit home side, who are hurting after their 30-21 upset loss to the Rebels.
“They’ve got a good defence and we have to get through it so I’m cognisant of that,” McKenzie told AAP from Cape Town. “We’ve got to bend the line and get through them and Radike has done that job for us in the past.”
Samo has enjoyed a fairytale four-season stint with the Reds when it appeared his career was over in 2010. But this year won’t be his last after signing with the Kintetsu Liners in Japan.
No-frills fullback Jono Lance is expected to be the other change to the Queensland side, coming in for injured winger Digby Ioane in a backline reshuffle which should see Luke Morahan move out wide.
That change would likely see playmaker Quade Cooper revert to defending at fullback.
Wallabies and Reds great Tim Horan has called for McKenzie to put Cooper in the front-line of defence after Test coach Robbie Deans admitted his previous positioning at the back had hurt the No.10’s selection hopes for the upcoming Lions series.
“There’s been no discussions so we’ll continue doing what we’re doing and what we think is best for this game,” McKenzie said.
The Stormers have added influential lock Andries Bekker, hooker Deon Fourie and centre Juan de Jongh to their long injury lost following a tough Australasian tour.
Josh
Guest
Would love to see Radike back in a wallabies jersey against the lions just playing off the bench for an awesome last 20 to break them up
AdamS
Roar Guru
Why would Slack ever have anything to regret for talking against Deans?
Johnno
Guest
Whatever else the Radike Samo story is a good one, and one for never give up and , hope in life. Samoa came back from Japan, or Europe , basically retired in 2010. Was asked to have a run around in club footy, he enjoyed that Link needed some back up asked if he had any petrol in the tank, give super rugby another try, he did at the end of 2010. Link still thought he got it if he get's a full pre-season in him. He did that, played for the wallabies at the 2011 world cup, ran around for the wallabies last year, and is now on his last legs at 2013, and will go off to Japan to retire with a good final pay cheque. To do all that come back on the scene at 34, and last another 3 years of super rugby and a bit of test footy, good effort. and there still maybe a few 30 minute cameo's left for the Lion's series to say Sayonara. Radike Samo was awesome at the Brumbies, a young Radike was as good a natural athlete as you could see, an old school Izzy Folau lol.
Justin2
Guest
Agreed Markus, was thinking the same thing. Lance has been very poor this year and offers nothing in attack out wide.
Markus
Guest
Could even swap Lucas in for Lance, with Lucas and Morahan both covering fullback where required. I wouldn't pick Toua, he would offer a very similar game as Davies but not as high quality.
Adsa
Guest
Go Radike, give Qld the best 55 minutes you have, dent the Stormers defensive line, make their inside backs think twice with a couple of good hits and set us up for a much needed and very valuable on the road win. The Stormers are wounded, vulnerable, however they are at home and that is where they are strongest. A Reds win in this game sets them up very well with the second buy coming up.
Positive Rugby
Guest
That looks like a very good side. Come on Reds, win in SA.
Positive Rugby
Guest
Hear, hear, go Radike, you legend!
BetterRedThanDead
Guest
Just had to visit YT and re-live that try from Samo at Suncorp in 2011. That was something.....
Hoy
Roar Guru
On an up note, I am glad they are playing CFS at 13 still. I just want him to stay there and develop his game at 13. On a down note, Lance has been pretty ordinary this year. I would have gone with Morahan at the back, or even Harris at a pinch and maybe play Toua on the wing.
Nigel Imrie
Guest
Well maybe after a long rest Radike may play out of his skin and just maybe play himself into the Wallabies to take on the Lions. That would be a fairytale end to a great servant of Australian rugby. Insofar as Horans comments re QC playing in the front line, Deans made it clear on rugby HQ that Cooper in the past during his time in the Wallabies had taken on a similar role and that was not the sole reason for his not being selected. He will take one of the 6 spots on offer, it is the coaches perogative to select who he deems will be the best fit for the squad and subsequently the team. A little too much is being made of this with high profile people namely, ex Wallaby captain Andrew Slack being drawn out and making comments about Deans that he may one day regret. Cooper is a talented rugby player but he has his moments like any player, but what we require against the Lions are cool heads and I believe that Barnes will play 10 with Lealeafano at 12 and AC at 13 with Digby and Cummins on th wings with Folau at 15, he is ready to take on the Lions and should be given the chance, he will not disappoint!
formeropenside
Guest
Reds squad - Samo to start at 8. Could get a Lions call up if he can last 30 minutes! 1. Greg Holmes 2. Saia Faingaa 3. James Slipper 4. Rob Simmons 5. James Horwill (c) 6. Jake Schatz 7. Liam Gill 8. Radike Samo 9. Will Genia (vc) 10. Quade Cooper 11. Luke Morahan 12. Anthony Faingaa 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia 14. Rod Davies 15. Jono Lance 16. James Hanson 17. Ben Daley 18. Ed O’Donoghue 19. Eddie Quirk 20. Beau Robinson 21. Ben Lucas 22. Ben Tapuai
Red Kev
Guest
All we need is a good first 30 from him so Schatz or Quirk can come on and close the game out.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Well Samo would have to lift his game on what I saw the last time at Club level. Maybe he wasn't trying too hard after all it was only club level but he looked to be coasting along only injecting himself every now and again. He looked to be every one of his 37 years old. I do not mean to be insulting as he has been a great player and if he can muster up a great first up 40 to 50 minutes, he will have done his job. Going to Japan to bolster his superannuation fund is the right move next year. Time waits for no man and Samo is no exception although he has pushed the boundaries.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
BetterRedThanDead
Guest
And go you good thing!