Dave Rennie’s Wallabies stocks have taken a beating as the Queensland Reds beat the Melbourne Rebels 25-13 to book their spot in the Super Rugby AU final.
Queensland lost Jordan Petaia (concussion) and Chris Feauai-Sautia (groin) while Rebels trio and Australian regulars Dane Haylett-Petty (groin), Matt Toomua (groin) and Jordan Uelese (shoulder) all limped off in the second half.
All would be in the mix to feature in Rennie’s first national squad, due to be named on Sunday ahead of Tests later this year.
The Reds’ backline finished in disarray but they somehow emerged victorious and will play the Brumbies in Canberra next Saturday for the title.
In the end it was hulking prop Taniela Tupou who ran a brilliant line to set up winger Filipo Daugunu for the match-sealing try with five minutes to play.
Centre Petaia looked set for a massive night when he intercepted Toomua’s pass to run 65 metres for the game’s first try.
He fumbled close to the line as a second try went begging and was no sooner on the sidelines after a nasty head clash in a tackle.
Roving winger Marika Koroibete caught the Reds napping to score on halftime for a 10-10 game, before Hunter Paisami broke the line to set up Lukhan Salakaia-Loto for the Reds’ go-ahead try early in the second half.
The Rebels had their chances, Billy Meakes’ forward pass bombing one try and Isi Naisarani charging down a kick but watching the ball cruelly bounce dead.
Andrew Kellaway should have scored the game’s first try but stepped on the line after gathering Toomua’s pin-point cross-field chip.
They also kicked the ball away numerous times when rolling forward in attack in the second half.
Daugunu did his Wallabies aspirations no harm with some terrific defensive efforts, showing his versatility to force a crucial breakdown turnover and nailing another Rebel into touch in cover defence with the game in the balance.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Petaia has been ruled fit apparently but Feauai-Sautia doubtful. Paisami to 13 and Petaia to the wing most likely I would imagine.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Daugunu was an age soccer goal keeper international, he can do everything including kick accurately. He would be a superb fullback.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Wilson has only dropped off because his role has changed to running in tight channels , this occurred when Wright and McReight started, when ASY started Wilson was running wider and having a big impact.
Olly
Roar Rookie
He appears to be but he has not been tested at Test level yet and Koro has always performed well at Test level. Also the Reds attack has been better for wingers. Koro is a good test winger, to me Daunguna needs to be introduced via the bench. Test rugby is a big jump.
Double Agent
Guest
:laughing: Yes I do like my wingers to be firm. Mmmmm.....
Double Agent
Guest
Remember the time he was the only defender on the blind,5m out,then inexplicably decided to lean on the side of the ruck allowing the try scorer to stroll past unopposed??!!
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
@soapit yeah I think we’re at a stage that risking a few young blokes is worth it. In every other sport we see young talent us able to cope with the pressures of the highest level, often ironically because they haven’t yet been beaten down by the system.
RahRah
Roar Rookie
Daungunu is a hands down better player than Koriobete in all aspects of the game.
RahRah
Roar Rookie
Daugunu does EVERYTHING better than Koriobete.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Wright is the taller of the 3 at 186cm, then Koroibete at 181cm, Daugunu 175cm according to their club records.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Looking forward to the Final. Scotty to towel up the Thor when rhe contest is fair. :)
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Petaia looked pretty healthy once he got out of assessment and took walk around the park, so fingers crossed that he will still make the final.
soapit
Roar Guru
i think they really should have 2 or 3 young backs that they cycle through the bench spot
numpty
Roar Rookie
Dhp was good last week too. That try he scored in the 2nd half to get the rebels within one try was clutch.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yeah that’s mine, maybe start Hodge and 15 and Campbell at 23 for the first couple of games to ease Campbell in.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Both seem to play everywhere!
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Daugunu and Koreibeti are the form wingers. Wright and Rann in the wings. 15 Is a problem. DHP is badly injured that leaves us with only Banks. Hodge and Campbell run well but don’t tackle front on. 13 We need Kuridrani on song and Petaia fit. Paisami will do me as well. 12 Meakes , Toomua and Simone are provincial. That leaves us with Stewart , Petaia , Hunt or JOC. 10 Lolisio is all class , Harrison not far behind him. JOC is the best “ has been “ option. In the back row we have Hooper, Wilson and McReight being covered by special cameras and low fiving themselves for doing routine. If they are easily seen they are not head down arse up doing their jobs. Samu, Wright , Naisarani , McCaffrey and Miller are the ones who do the hard yards. No world class Aussie locks apart from Arnold . Bring him home and pick Philip and Lee-Warner. Tupou is our world class prop . Alaalatoa not far behind . Sio and Slipper are as good as any others. Ready is our best Hooker. Pick him , get him fit and make him Captain in DHPs absence. Our Dylan Hartley !
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Meakes does the hard yards.
web
Roar Rookie
Problem is both Marika and Filipo play left wing. Can either play on the other side?
They are saying 45 for the touring teams but thats for the RC so maybe less for the 2 Bledisloe games up first.