The Brumbies and Reds have both named their line-ups for this weekend’s Super Rugby AU final.
The Canberrans have paid a heavy injury price for making it to the final, with forwards Pete Samu and James Slipper both ruled out of the decider for the Brumbies due to injuries sustained last week against the Force.
Both Slipper and Samu, who scored a double when the Reds and Brumbies met for the first time this season, have been sidelined with knee issues.
Scott Sio is a straight replacement for Slipper in the front row, while Samu’s absence has sparked a back-row reshuffle. Rob Valetini moves to number eight and Nick Frost, who has played most of his rugby for the Brumbies in the second row, starts at blindside flanker. Harry Lloyd and Henry Stowers have been added to the reserves.
Folau Fainga’a was also under an injury cloud for the Ponies but has been given the green light for Saturday night, albeit limited to a spot on the bench. Lachlan Lonergan starts at hooker.
The big news for the Reds centres around club captain Liam Wright, who has been named on the bench for the decider. Wright started for the first time this season in the Round 10 loss to the Force, but his captaincy drew sharp criticism after he decided against kicking for goal from straight in front late on while trailing by three. James O’Connor, who captained the Reds in their seven other matches (all of them wins), has been named skipper for the final.
Much like the Brumbies, the Reds aren’t exactly a picture of perfect healthz, losing influential centre Hunter Paisami to a facial fracture. The hosts announced last week that Paisami would miss up to a month of rugby, and they are also still without Suliasi Vunivalu, who picked up a hamstring strain in late March.
However, they have received a boost in the form of Jock Campbell, who returns to the side on the wing, pushing Filipo Daugunu to the bench.
Josh Flook comes into the starting midfield for Paisami, and not for the first time this year. The youngster was a late inclusion in the XV after Paisami was a gameday withdrawal the last time these sides met, and ended up scoring a critical late try as the Reds claimed an excellent win.
The other changes for Queensland are amongst the reserves: prop Dane Zander replaces Richie Asiata, and young playmaker Isaac Henry could make his Super Rugby debut from the pine in the final. Ilaisa Droasese has been left out.
Saturday, 7:45pm (AEST), Suncorp Stadium
Reds
(1-15): Feao Fotuaika, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Ryan Smith, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor (c), Jock Campbell, Hamish Stewart, Josh Flook, Jordan Petaia, Bryce Hegarty
Reserves: Alex Mafi, Dane Zander, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Liam Wright, Kalani Thomas, Isaac Henry, Filipo Daugunu
In: Jock Campbell, Dane Zander, Isaac Henry
Out: Hunter Paisami, Richie Asiata, Ilaisa Droasese
Brumbies
(1-15): Scott Sio, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Nick Frost, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Tom Wright, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Banks
Reserves: Folau Fainga’a, Harry Lloyd, Tom Ross, Henry Stowers, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Reesjan Pasitoa, Mack Hansen
In: Henry Stowers, Harry Lloyd
Out: Pete Samu, James Slipper
Rhys
Roar Rookie
"ACT quota" came across to me as a slight but if there's nothing by it then no worries. Agree with rest, but lack of height in Reds lineout and with ASY first season calling they were always going to struggle. Now Uru is back he's a better caller hopefully it improves for them.
Bingo
Roar Rookie
He's not Folau Fainga'a? What's tough about that? I said he wouldn't let anyone down and he didn't. I agree he has a bright future. At least he throws the ball into lineouts straight unlike the Reds hookers, who need a GPS some games!
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
He surely has earned this honour, Smiggle Jiggle. I trust this impressive young man plays well, leads confidently and succeeds tonight. This is 13 years after arriving loudly on the big stage at 18 years old – after years of hearing how superb he was – brash, obnoxious and destructive. That mindset was generated by adults who should have known better, including the bloke most responsible for his welfare, and it has taken years to undo the damage. I can look back at the whole of Matt Burke’s career – he was part of my son’s milieu – and the care exercised in the infancy of his career was so starkly different. His father was a steady and responsible influence – a quiet, pleased observer – he had a fine network of junior coaches who passed him on to the likes of Peter Fenton, Scott Johnson, Monster and Geoff Johnson at Eastwood – custodians of a strong, respected and faithfully observed community culture. Marty Roebuck was ever so proud of his young apprentice and Matt had a couple of seasons of stock standard club rugby before NSW and Australian representation. He learned how to tackle and pass and fill in as water boy. James O’Connor had to wait until the second half of his career to enjoy such an education. Much of the motivation for that has been self generated, starting from a very low base and far away from home (fortunately), and then he fell into the hands of the exceptional Brad Thorne. He first had a good long hard look at O’Connor – he does not waste his time on dills – then he prised out and polished and guided the qualities that lurked in him. What we see now is an admirable young man who has mastered the skill of turning the probing questions and the focus from himself and to his team mates and the task. He is not given to hyperbole or cliché and his responses are considered and brief. On the field he is now competent, mature and team focused. Years ago I did not consider this result at all likely, I was very critical and eventually forgot about him. I am so pleased for his personal success and I am buoyed most by the certainty that he will go on to a satisfying life after rugby, filled with grand good fortune.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
Ouch
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
Demoted to club rugby, Uru and young Ryan have overtaken him.
jameswm
Roar Guru
I also like to see my preferred Wallaby players do well, in all the teams.
Docshay
Roar Rookie
Don't think the Reds are at their peak yet - maybe two more years - so if they don't win this year, it's not a disaster...
That’s gotta hurt
Guest
Source? The guy heading up the union coverage at Nine. Lol
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Ryan (halfback) is the taller at 1.84m but Lachlan is 15kg heavier at 1.8m and 99 kg - not bad considering he is 21. Add to that a few more meat pies over the next few years he has a bright future ahead imo.
Yeah its a part of the game I just cant like. Legalised cheating I reckon...Time the powers that be got it sorted...
soapit
Roar Guru
Why forego such a rich source of points of you can do it (line out maul)
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Jez mate, in my day, they were called "Bombay Bloomers". A slight touch and contact was quickly made with the "fankles"
True but I think I was more suggesting they dont make use of the backs they have rather than saying their backs aint much good. I think 9, 10, 12, 13, 15 will all play for Aus at some stage this year and probably others 2. I like the look of Ikatau and Simone together in particular but i probably expect to see Toomua at 12 rather than Simone unfortunately...
Bobby
Roar Rookie
What happened to Angus Gardiner? Has he retired or been retired? The overall quality of Australian Refs is dismal which is disappointing considering the quality of Oz rugby has improved (IMO).
Bobby
Roar Rookie
"Filthy" Murphy and a person (Amy) who never makes a call. Should be a cracker with these 3 in charge.
Corw
Roar Rookie
Sure, but he scored 4 out of 39 tries this year. In 2020 he was equal top scorer with Solomone Kata. No-one is saying they don't use their maul (obviously), but your comment - suggesting their backs aren't any good - doesn't hold water.
JP
Guest
Weaklinks for Reds- Flook, Petaia, Hegarty, Ryan Smith, Thorn. Weaklinks for Brumbies- No Samu and No Slipper Brumbies by 8
MO
Guest
I was always better at taking them off than putting them on but didn't always get the practice that I wanted.
MO
Guest
Watching the TV last week the Lonegran brothers looked a pretty similar size to each other. I hope the half back is a big guy?
Here is me trying again with facts…And I said consistantly didnt say always, but he is up their at 2nd for the brumbies this season I see… :laughing: :laughing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Super_Rugby_season