Karmichael Hunt has made his debut for the Queensland Reds, but the former rugby league and AFL star couldn’t stop his side going down to the Melbourne Rebels 28-13 in their Super Rugby trial at Barlow Park in Cairns.
Hunt played just over 60 minutes at fullback on Saturday night in his first rugby game since his stint with Biarritz almost five years ago.
He was offered few opportunities in a forward dominated match, but looked comfortable in defence.
Rebels prop Cruz Ah-Nau scored a rare double, with both his tries coming off pick and drives, while Tom Sexton also powered over from close range.
Reds recruit Duncan Paui’aua struggled at times in his first match filling in for injured star Quade Cooper, throwing a poor pass to Hunt early and making a number of basic errors.
Beau Robinson scored a double for the Reds, with both tries coming off rolling mauls, as the Queenslanders struggled for continuity in their backline.
Meanwhile, star centre Tevita Kurindrani scored a double but it wasn’t enough as the ACT Brumbies surrendered a 19-0 lead against the Highlanders to fall 23-19 in Wagga Wagga.
Kurindrani scored one try by finishing off a 60 metre bust by blockbusting winger Henry Speight, before combining with Christian Leali’ifano to score under the posts.
Speight grabbed a try of his own shortly before halftime after some clever lead up work by Robbie Coleman, but the sin-binning of halfback Nic White shortly after halftime proved to be the turning point, with the Highlanders scoring 23 straight points.
The night was soured somewhat by an injury to Highlanders centre Shaun Treeby, who was taken to hospital after suffering a bad concussion.
Former Wallaby skipper David Pocock continued his return from injury, playing the entire first half.
The Western Force won their trial against the Asia-Pacific Dragons 38-19, but skipper Matt Hodgson suffered a hamstring injury in the win.
Hodgson hobbled off after less than 10 minutes but the extent of the injury will not be known until Sunday.
Hertryk
Guest
I think Pocock has alot of catching up to do... in my very humble opinion ... but what do I care.. ?? C'Arn the Force.. :)
Hertryj
Guest
Unfortunately Hodgo is out for up to 8 weeks.. we have the cover.. but we want him back asap. Good on Foley taking him off the field as soon as the injury occurred.. .... Counting the days until the start of the season ..Bring it on..C'Arn the Force :)
RobC
Roar Guru
Dunno if Im seeing things or if its his bikie beard. But it looks like Quirk has bulked up, and is going to do serious damage this year.
Anto
Guest
Gawd! The season hasn't even started yet and the Reds are going down line ninepins. Holmes (thumb ligament); Cooper (collarbone); Simmons (shoulder nerve damage); Tapuai (hamstring); Turner (collarbone); Quirk (knee).
Stray Gator
Roar Rookie
Centres were Naivalu, English and Inman. Timani needs to get his attitude sorted - he's not hard or fit enough yet for S15.
Markus
Guest
That backrow assumes Timani will live up to his potential . For the time being I suspect it will be: 6. McMahon 7. Faingaa 8. Higginbotham Not a huge backrow, but a massive workrate between McMahon and Faingaa with a strong runner in Higgs at the back. Fuglistaller makes a lot of tackles but I have never seen much more from him beyond that. I'd have a fit Faingaa comfortably above him, he forces more turnovers and runs the ball stronger in tight.
ethan
Guest
The rebels backrow solution seems simple to mine. 6. Higgers. 7. McMahon. 8. Timani That's my starting backrow. I don't see Higgers as an 8, while Timani can provide some physicality getting over the advantage line they were missing last season. The only issue is that Fluglistaller is a real leader in the pack and deserves a lot of game time. Faingaa is quality as well, but down in the pecking order for mine. Rob C, who played centres for the Rebels? Inman and Naivalu? Ellison still in Japan I guess?
RollAway7
Guest
I hope now RG will come to his senses at put JOC at 10. The new kid should come in off the bench, Super rugby is tough all the teams are good and if the reds want any chance of making the finals they will need to win from the get go. Its a shame about Cooper but JOC is the next best thing for the reds. They need experience at 10 or the entire backline won't fire.
Stray Gator
Roar Rookie
Yep, I like McM better at 7, too, but I'm not sure that Jordy can jump, or break the line. Great fetcher, though.
Dru
Guest
Let's see how the next trial in Bris goes.
RobC
Roar Guru
Though he started a few games at six, he's too small for that post. If I recall he does prefers six. Jordy's profile is closer to blindside imo. Later in SR14, SeanMc came on to replace the openside - and did v well. I think he has better prospects for the Rebs, than Colby and Scotty F
Squirrel
Guest
You mean Pocock has a lot to do. He is the one who has the work to do
Stray Gator
Roar Rookie
Sean Mc will play 6 for the foreseeable future - Fa'ainga, Fuglistaller and Reid (in that order) have a mortgage on 7, whereas the Rebels' blindside stocks are much, much leaner. Rotten rugby weather - like playing in a sauna, poor bastards. Well done and thanks, Reds, for the stream. All is almost well with the world.
RobC
Roar Guru
They're all injured Dru. I think most are back in Ballymore. K kicks? His first touch finder was v long, but missed the mark. After that he was more conservative. Scrum aside, there were too many systemic flaws by the Reds after 50' replacements. It will probably be addressed by next week. Also generally speaking the Reds attack pods seemed to be split between forwards and backs. Especially midfield. This is easily isolated by opponents. Conversely, after 60' the Rebs combined beautifully and delivered awesome turnovers. Good linebreaks, gainline runs and raids
Dru
Guest
Oh, I also loved Hunts verbal organising of the defence when they were on the line... But being completely out of position. This works for me if the backs are responding... And the rest of the back three are covering. Love the intent. And the attitude. But wondering how well they can pick up with one more trial.
Dru
Guest
I was astonished by the number of "extended squad" members paying from the Reds. Presumably management is dictating RG rewards to the clubs? 11new red jerseys. I get this in a trial, but I don't get it two weeks from season start. Paia' looked poor but we should give him time. I did not mind Frisbey's stint at 10 at all. I didn't mind the intent of the Reds pack either. Holding scrums etc. but at no stage were the backs given a real chance to strut their stuff. Liked the look of Higgers too, a real pest until Gill started hitting him hard to clear in the rucks. When both packs were down a man, Rebels chose to keep playing an 8, with 7 playing half. This left tight head without a dual push. Failed scrum was predictable. Hunts kicking was a highlight!?! Got to be kidding. An ex Ausie a Rules guy should have been clearing an easy additional 10m.
Dru
Guest
I really appreciated the live stream from the Reds. 10/10 blokes!
RobC
Roar Guru
SeanMc played six. I hoped he play seven this year. Harris Placido did good. Rebs centres were excellent! Any sign of Fardy? How was Sio Vaea? Pocock, please stay fit. The more options at seven the better. Also, I hope he doesnt fall into the same trap as Gill last year. Forget trying to become a centre. Just focus on the core job. Samu K, Chris K both deadly with the ball. Special K pretty good in attack and D. Ant F: without him Reds defence is shocking
Daz
Guest
grape I think we're in trouble. I'd forgotten Special K plays with his socks down. I'm going to have to rethink his entire future.
matty
Guest
I think Poey should forget about Hooper because unless he can stay on the field and play close to his form of 4 years ago he will be lucky to oust Jared Butler last years Brumbies best.