Samu Kerevi is set to captain the Queensland Reds for the rest of the season despite the return of Stephen Moore for Saturday’s crucial Super Rugby derby against the NSW Waratahs.
Rested for their last start win over the Southern Kings two weeks ago, Wallabies skipper Moore replaces Alex Mafi at hooker, with the out-of-favour Andrew Ready dropping out of the squad once again.
But Moore and coach Nick Stiles both agreed the time was right to give Test centre Kerevi a decent run as the team’s official leader in the injury-enforced absence of James Slipper.
“If you look at the way the club can grow over the next few years, having a guy who’s 34 just taking over the captaincy is maybe not the best option,” Moore told reporters on Thursday.
“I observed Samu and Stilesy did as well.
“He’s shown over the last few years he’s got those capabilities and he’s done it really well.
“We need to start developing more leaders in Australian rugby and the Reds are no different.
“My role is to help Samu now as much as I can and he’s been really good, he’s got the right characteristics to be a really good captain for the club and he’s starting to learn about what it all means.”
The other changes are to the reserves, where lock Izack Rodda, back-rower Leroy Houston and utility back Campbell Magnay are in for Kane Douglas, Adam Korczyk and Chris Kuridrani.
Douglas is still to replicate his 2015 World Cup form for the Reds and is proving an underwelming recruit, with Stiles saying he paid the price for being “off his best” at training and on game day, with a competitive mix of second-rowers squeezing him out.
Houston, meanwhile, is set for a rare opportunity after going through a frustrating period in which he was stuck behind the likes of Scott Higginbotham and George Smith in the selection pecking order, while also battling a number of injuries.
“I hadn’t worked that much with Leroy at all. Boy, he impressed me,” Stiles said.
“We didn’t pick him at the start of the year, but he kept his head down and you wouldn’t have known he was sulking or upset or disappointed.
“He kept on setting a really good example for the non-starting guys. I really hope he comes off the bench and has a big game because I reckon he’s earned that.”
Queensland Reds: Karmichael Hunt, Izaia Perese, Samu Kerevi (capt), Duncan Paia’aua, Eto Nabuli, Quade Cooper, James Tuttle, Scott Higginbotham, George Smith, Hendrik Tui, Lukhan Tui, Rob Simmons, Sam Talakai, Stephen Moore, Sef Fa’agase. Reserves: Alex Mafi, Kirwan Sanday, Taniela Tupou, Izack Rodda, Leroy Houston, Nick Frisby, Hamish Stewart, Campbell Magnay.
mania
Guest
Ruckin' Oaf - yeah u are way off this would be the equivalent of making SBW captain
Charlie Turner
Guest
That's pretty much what I was thinking RO.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
The ordinary Reds Vs the hopeless Tahs. Yawn! Fortunately we in WA will all be en route to the Force V Lions games so won't have to watch it. Whatever the result it will be a very entertaining contest between two teams that are actually trying.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
So he plays like most backs do. I might be way off here but I'm wondering if he'd face as much criticism as captain elect if he had a lighter skin tone ?
Armchair Sportsfan
Guest
Douglas has always been a complete myth to my mind. His performances this year are pretty consistent with 90% of his career. Apart from a couple of good games for the tahs, and maybe 1 or 2 in a wallaby shirt against crappy opposition.... All that being said, he's without peer when it comes to tough and angry facial expressions.....
UTB
Guest
Scoring 50% of your chances against a hopeless defense then losing all shape and conceding loads of points in the last quarter - 'switching off' makes it sound like they conceded a token score. Actually they nearly shelled the game. As above - we must have different expectations (or definitions)- the skill level was about right for the bottom 5 teams in the comp. Nothing to be pleased about IMO. Last week - in the second half the 'canes blitzed the Brumbies (who recently spanked the Reds) - accuracy and execution and an exceptionally high skill level - butchered nothing. Suggest you compare and contrast.
Dwards
Roar Rookie
If that's true its a shame. He is a bit raw but has potential. More reason for a national player pool maybe?
Dwards
Roar Rookie
Is it possible to agree with Hoy and UTB and Fionn all at the same time. Cause I kind of do.
Dwards
Roar Rookie
Is it possible to agree with Hoy and UTB and Fionn all at the same time. Cause I kind of do.
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Haha, indeed it caters to all genetic backgrounds and dietary habits. And you are rugby personified, piru!
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
The Reds scored about 45 points then switched off when they had the game won. That's a blitzing.
mania
Guest
haha Piru. I started as a hooker and flanker. then moved to the wing and fullback. got a bit slower and moved to centre , then 8, then back to hooker.
AJ
Guest
Hard to know from an outsiders perspective but tend to agree, difficult to imagine Kerevi leading guys like Hunt, Higgers, Smith, Cooper. Maybe it's a decision based on who is least likely to be dropped? I wonder if leadership ( i.e. the large amount of leaders in the group but apparent lack thereof sometimes) is actually causing some on field issues. I keep suffering Gill departure regret.
Cynical Play
Guest
Ready was a decent hooker on the way up. Moore's recruitment remains a mystery to me but I'm not Stiles. But you've got to feel for Ready. Hard to have confidence when you don't have the coach's confidence. I think he's better than Roach (Tahs)
piru
Roar Rookie
You'd be surprised, I actually started life as a halfback - got taller and moved to 15 around colts, but got progressively slower and fatter and moved further and further back inside till I found myself in the front row. Isn't rugby a wonderful sport?
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Yeah I find that hard to understand, too. The last 20 min is often where the game is won and lost.
Markus
Guest
Brumbies picked up Lolo Fakaosilea, think he has far more promise than 30 year old Houston. And while he is not a 'real 8' I would keep preference for Jarrad Butler too.
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Let me guess where you played, piru... ;)
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Steve I quite agree, Hunt is definitely in the centre of the action most of the time, does a lot of organising and talking. I'd be quite happy for him to be appointed captain.
UTB
Guest
Doing the minimum against poor opposition is not blitzing. Reds butchered about 4 should-have-been tries by half time and they ones they did score they wouldn't have got close to against most teams. Even as a Reds die hard it was difficult to feel good about it. Scraping past the Kings at home is not something to be celebrated. I suspect we just have different expectations.