Test hookers, friends and former garbage men Folau Fainga’a and Brandon Paenga-Amosa look set to make their returns from injury as the Brumbies host the Queensland Reds in Saturday’s Super Rugby AU grand-final rematch.
Reds hooker Paenga-Amosa enjoyed a return to the Wallabies fold under Dave Rennie last year, two summers after his shock debut against Ireland.
A neck injury has kept him on the sidelines so far this season, but he appears set to share minutes with the in-form Alex Mafi in Canberra on Saturday.
Fainga’a (toe) should slot back in for the Brumbies to face Paenga-Amosa, who he worked with in Sydney as a bin man before the pair split for their new rugby homes, on the journey towards Test debuts.
The return of the 25-year-old Fainga’a is neat timing after his replacement Connal McInerney broke his fibula (calf bone) early in his side’s after-the-bell defeat of the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday.
McInerney’s season appears over, while the Brumbies will also be without Test props James Slipper (knee) for up to five weeks and Allan Alaalatoa (suspension) for three games.
Conversely, Reds coach Brad Thorn faces some tough calls on who to leave out, with Test talent Lukhan Salakaia-Loto free to play after serving his three-match suspension from the Argentina Test last December.
In Paenga-Amosa’s way is Mafi, who has been outstanding for the Reds’ in their two wins this season, while NRL convert Suliasi Vunivalu would have to replace an incumbent Wallaby to earn a start on the wing.
The Brumbies have won 18 of their last 19 games at home but Reds captain James O’Connor can sniff an opportunity.
“The Brumbies have been the best team in Australia for the last four, five years … but as the GOAT (Michael Jordan) would say ‘we took that (grand final loss) personally’ so we’re coming for them,” he said.
“They play a really structured game and they’ve mastered it so that if they lose one cog in the wheel it doesn’t disrupt them too much.
“But they do rely on Allan, on his emotional plays and hits … and for us that’s probably Lukhan; he’s a big leader in our squad and I get a lot of energy from him.”
The clash will also pit preferred Wallabies No.10 O’Connor with his heir-apparent Noah Lolesio, who has begun the season strongly after his first taste of Test rugby last year.
“I’ll be testing him out and I’m sure he’ll be testing me out with his young legs, but at the end of the day (it’s about) which team won,” O’Connor said.
gatesy
Roar Guru
..and their supporters love it. Whether or not it's good Rugby it is definitely good psychology. What team, in their right mind, would give away penalties near the Brumbies' line. You'd have to be a masochist.
gatesy
Roar Guru
It's taken 25 years, but the Tahs are finally getting a reality check. Not many in the starting Wallabies XV at this point in the season, and especially when you see some of the new names, like Anstee, coming through.
gatesy
Roar Guru
Watch this space - they have even more depth.
gatesy
Roar Guru
Never write them off.
gatesy
Roar Guru
Brumbies by one - frustrating as hell, but very satisfying!
Malo
Guest
The Brumbies fly half and their coached structures will see them thump the overated reds. The reds are still crap.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
A Must watch for all SR supporters regardless of colour or creed... I thought the Brumbies did it tough against the Rebels and the Reds may have learnt a thing or two from that. Although the Reds love to play their open attack and Brumbies love their structures and set plays. One of the games that will give pointers on who plays for the Wallabies this year.
numpty
Roar Rookie
So none of those previous captains have said they want to win in public at a press conference or that they take losses personally??? Liam wright at the start of the year explicitly said 'we are going for more this year, we are going for silverware.' Hooper said 6 months ago, 'you wear the losses hard' after fuming in the sheds post-game - ie: he takes losses personally... You might be projecting here a bit Bobby and reading the tea leaves. It was a pretty innocuous presser by JOC.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Numpty, I was thinking about previous captains at the Reds like Horwill, Slipper, Kerevi, Genia and Liam Wright. I also thought of others like Hooper, Simmons, Gordon, Ramm, Prior, Hodgson,DHP, Toomua, AAA, Christian L, Moore, Elsom, Sharpe and I've never heard any of them express their "feelings" in such a manner publicly. St James's comments should have made within the group. I have no problem with the "message", only his public forum.
Rugby wizard
Guest
Myself and QC will be hoping for a Reds win.
numpty
Roar Rookie
He says - 'we lost to them 3 times. They are the champs, but we are coming for them. We took it personally'. Point out the flaw/lack of humility. What should he have said oh great, wise and humble bobby? He likes losing to the brumbies, he/the reds don't want to be the best...
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Numpty, put whatever spin on O'Conmors well publicised comments, you like. It doesn't worry me, it just shows a deep rooted character flaw that lacks humility.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
JOC will be standing so deep to keep outa the way, he'll look like he's playing fullback.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Yep, one has to smile at JOCs comments.
numpty
Roar Rookie
What was JOC meant to say... "Oh nah we don't really care much if we win or beat the brumbies hey man, notha' dollar notha' day." He also wasn't talking 'at' the brumbies he was talking about the reds and their ambitions/goals/drive. They want to win, be the best etc, and to do that you have to beat the brumbies. Plain and simple.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
N, I reckon those Brumby boys are terrified more so when the Reds "enforcer" and inspirational captain declares, its personal, we're coming for you. :happy:
numpty
Roar Rookie
Geez Bobby I don't know where you cook this stuff up :laughing: But it is not in reality.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Looking forward to the Brumbies using their rolling maul a dozen times and scoring 2 or 3 trys through that fascinating aspect of Rugby. It is a thing of beauty !
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Reds definite favourites. They will be confident (Maybe over). The loss of AAA and Slipper up front will be huge. The fabled Reds backline that has NEVER fired, will fire this week, with Hunter to get at least a YC. Reds supporters are upbeat and from all reports the Reds will smoke the Ponies.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
The scrum would appear to be an advantage for the Reds given the loss of Slips, AAA and Mcinnery. Hopefully Thorn places a media embargo on the players, they are a worry that they believe the press written about them. The loose play and miracle passes being thrown in the game v Melb was a real concern. Go forward before going wide JOC.