Karmichael Hunt has been named to make his first appearance in a Queensland Reds jersey in Saturday’s trial against the Melbourne Rebels in Cairns.
But fellow recruit James O’Connor is among a 10-man casualty list of players unavailable either due to injury or recent surgery.
O’Connor is carrying a knee injury but coach Richard Graham said he will be fit for the Reds’ second pre-season clash with the Highlanders at Ballymore next week.
With O’Connor and playmaker Quade Cooper sidelined, all eyes at Barlow Park will be locked squarely on Hunt as he tackles his third code of football.
Hunt also has history in Cairns – Cazalys Stadium was the scene of his greatest moment as an AFL footballer, when he kicked the winning goal after the siren for the Gold Coast Suns against Richmond in 2012.
Graham said he was excited to finally see Hunt in a game situation.
“There’s no doubt you’re going to see a guy that has a lot of confidence in the game,” he said.
“If you’ve watched Karmichael through the pre-season, he’s very vocal, very dominant, very confident in the way he’s gone about his work.
“There’ll be times where he’ll find himself in situations he hasn’t in the last couple of years.
“I go back to (Israel) Folau’s first game against the Reds two years ago – he certainly looked lost.
“But the thing about the best players is they pick it up quickly. It only took Folau one game.”
Another rugby league convert, 20-year-old Brisbane Broncos recruit Duncan Paia’aua, will get the first opportunity to step into the fly-half position made vacant by Cooper, who had surgery on his fractured collarbone on Tuesday.
Paia’aua grew up watching Hunt, Cooper and Genia as a youngster and admitted he didn’t expect to get his chance this early.
“I’m very grateful for Richard having the confidence in me to put me in the squad straight away,” he said.
RobC
Roar Guru
Rebs scrum alright, but still needs work: - One or two calls against them were dodgy. - But Reds scrum did the job, despite missing three of their big locks - Great to see Pett do the deed, marching back the Rebs when he stepped on. Rebs lineout had the advantage. Too much timber. Rebs attack and loose scrum, were just too powerful in contact, and moved very quickly. A tonne of turnovers by outrucking the Reds. And bursts through the middle channels well in early phase. Higgers, continues to be a penalty magnet. Stop it. Youre the Captain. Reds. missing a tonne of players: - Scramble defence C. Goal line defence F. Structured defence B+ - BD / rucking, by quarter B B- F F. There was little / no turnovers by the Reds in contact area - Forwards attack A. Backline attack D- - Reds had tonnes of opportunities to put away Rebs in the first half. It looked like the Reds wanted to let the backs have a run and try a few tricks. But Duncan P wasnt prepped on how to deal with a rush Rebs d-line Anyway, I thought Reds did good, all things considered. Look forward to next week Good job Rebs. Next time it will be for real.
RobC
Roar Guru
Yeah, its not good Dru. RG starting squad is walking wounded: - Short term niggles: JOC. back next week - Returning wounded: Holmes Daley EoD. back next week - DaveMcD Tapuai Turner Tsui, out for a week or two. Quirk longer - Cena (Thompson) Tsui will join in a week or two, after the Japan comp finishes - Longer term: QC (round 9/10) Simmons (round 3) Some are recovering from last year Some niggles from opposed training Some still overseas For the show, just click here around 10 minutes before time: http://www.redsrugby.com.au/ or here: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeKNkdNPa1eZbwz3uYcXFbw
Dru
Guest
Rob, thanks for the reply. My concern is that with 11 players from OUTSIDE the (main) squad, are they actually achieving any of this? We are two games from the season start and we are not even playing with combinations from the squad, but from outside it. I can understand checking who fits where, but seriously how many from this 11 are in contention? The answer from the published Reds squad is appears to be "none of them". In which case what is the trial achieving. Anyway, I am now struggling with my rudimentary computer literacy to get Reds live streaming on a big TV for the game. Going to love it anyway.
RobC
Roar Guru
Gday Dru. How are you. I think in trials you have up to 11 reserves per game. There's a string of injured / niggle Reds starters. Looks like this is from the intensified competition between players Reds have created. Simmons EdO'd DMcD out of commission this week. So its Big Kev plus 'midget' NRC locks Also for this game, I suspect they just want to 1. Try out the new structures - attack, defence, leader team. Will be good to see how their 15/23 man game is shaping out. And defence systems 2. Give some of the new players a run 3. Take their set piece for a spin: - Holmes injured in NRC. So its gonna be Talakai at THP. I think he'll do v well - We know Slips is going to be good. - Its highly improbable, but I wanna see both Pett then Sef on the field I hope they start playing SeanMac seven instead of six
44bottles
Roar Guru
Damn you grapeseed. :P
grapeseed
Guest
Everything else is accurate though Marto, love your work!
Dru
Guest
RC, I get the excitement, but wtf is going on? The crew travelling to FNQ includes at least 10 names that are not listed on the official Reds site on the squad page. Yes we know a few of the names like Paraka, but what is going on? Two weeks out and the coach is that un-opinionated that he is trailing how many "maybes" exactly? Or he has a level of injury that seems unprecedented? Wtf is going on? I'm pleased for the extended squad guys getting a chance, but where is the coaches head at?
Hoy
Roar Guru
The highlights from Paia’aua as the Broncs under 20s 6 and 7 look good, and I was grateful they put in some tackles as well... too many highlights that wow people don't feature defense, just with ball in hand... annoys me. That churchie kid everyone drooled over... I did not see one bit of defense in his highlights reel... did anyone else?
44bottles
Roar Guru
*Perennial
dru
Guest
Cheers
Kevin
Guest
Saturday, 31 January, at 7:30pm AEST Fans outside of Cairns can watch the game live at www.redsrugby.com.au
jameswm
Guest
Yup - those names I got are from the trial squad they listed.
jameswm
Guest
they said not available for selection. Those names are in the squad listed for the game.
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Vince. Read somewhere QRU are going to stream it. If so, it will great to watch these guys on the field. Samu K, Special K, Chris K, CFS all on the same time. 17yo Cam Magnay. Then there's Pett Paraka, Sam Talakai. Lolo F too. Hope he has a great run, next to Gilly. Not to mention the other Reds stalwards. Would be real interesting to see how they combine. Especially against a Rebs team who will want to bring up their form as quick as poss. One more sleep!
nmpcart
Guest
Wayne, it appears Shipperley is good to go - named in the trial squad, saw an interview recently with him that said he was fully recovered and keen on facing the Reds;
Sam
Guest
Tamati Ellison
WAYNE
Guest
I doubt that Dom Shipperley will playfor a while..BROKEN and dislocated ankle from last year..
jameswm
Guest
So Rebs team maybe looking this. From the squad they've named. First named starting 1. Toby Smith/Cruze Ah-Nau 2. Pat Leafa/Tom Sexton 3. Paul Alo-Emile (is he leaving at the end of the year?)/Laurie Weeks 4. Cadeyrn Neville/Sam Jeffries 5. Luke Jones 6. Sean McMahon 7. Scott Fuglistaller/Colby Fainga’a, 8. Scott Higginbotham 9. Nic Stirzaker/Luke Burgess 10. Jack Debreczeni/Bryce Hegarty 11. Dom Shipperley 12. Mitch Inman/Mike Harris 13. Tom English 14. Cam Crawford/Telusa Veainu 15. Jonah Placid Also in squad - Steve Cummins, Ben Meehan, Sefanaia Naivalu,Jordy Reid Who's injured? Lopeti Timani? Who else is missing?
MARTO
Guest
Sorry to correct you Vince, but the QLD REDS play the perrinial CHOKER CRUSADERS at BALLYMORE next week....
JDB
Guest
QRU are streaming this game live, should be a link through the Reds website at game time. Great to see QRU keeping up the streaming of games, was great during the NRC.