Liam Wright has been benched and the captaincy returned to James O’Connor for the Queensland Reds Super Rugby AU final against the Brumbies.
Queensland Reds captain Liam Wright has been benched for Saturday’s Super Rugby AU final with coach Brad Thorn reinstating James O’Connor as skipper to face the Brumbies.
An ankle injury on the eve of the season meant Wright played once of the bench before his only start came in their only loss to the Western Force a fortnight ago.
Before that O’Connor had impressed as captain and five-eighth in a seven-game unbeaten run to earn a home final at Suncorp Stadium, where upwards of 40,000 fans are expected.
Angus Scott-Young replaces Wright in the backrow with Ryan Smith at lock and Brandon Paenga-Amosa pipping rival hooker Alex Mafi for a starting berth.
Rookie centre Josh Flook has been retained alongside Hamish Stewart in the Reds’ midfield with Hunter Paisami injured, while winger Suliasi Vunivalu (hamstring) was originally due to return in the last round but was not selected in Thorn’s grand final side.
The club says Vunivalu will be fit for the trans-Tasman tournament.
Wallabies winger Filipo Daugunu still couldn’t earn a starting berth though, stuck behind Jock Campbell and Jordan Petaia, with Bryce Hegarty at fullback.
The Brumbies have their own injury headaches with former Reds captain and veteran Wallabies forward James Slipper and dangerous flanker Pete Samu both out following injuries in their qualifying final defeat of the Western Force.
“I’m gutted for him,” Brumbies prop Scott Sio said of Slipper.
“He would have loved to have obviously played there in front of family and friends in a grand final up there at Suncorp … so we’ve got to do the job for him and the guys who are unfortunately missing out this week and make sure we will bring back some silverware for them.”
Test hooker Folau Fainga’a, who also came from the field early against the Force, has been dropped to the bench with Lachlan Lonergan named to start alongside Sio.
A late inclusion in the Brumbies squad as an injury replacement, Henry Stowers is in line to make his debut for the club on the biggest stage.
“I was amazed Henry wasn’t signed by anyone across the globe, I thought he was outstanding last year for the Force and he’s worked hard to get himself in Super Rugby shape over the last few weeks and he’ll be good for us,” Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said.
Reds
Bryce Hegarty, Jordan Petaia, Josh Flook, Hamish Stewart, Jock Campbell, James O’Connor (c), Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Angus Scott-Young, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Ryan Smith, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Feao Fotuaika.
Reserves: Alex Mafi, Dane Zander, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Liam Wright, Kalani Thomas, Isaac Henry, Filipo Daugunu.
Brumbies
Tom Banks, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Irae Simone, Tom Wright, Noah Lolesio, Nic White, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio.
Reserves: Folau Fainga’a, Harry Lloyd, Tom Ross, Henry Stowers, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Reesjan Pasitoa, Mack Hansen.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Agreed .... J0C is a better call f0r Wallabies Captain
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Reds .... a real better call 0n the Captain
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Might have done, I don’t really follow the Kangaroos very much. I do know the ABs have been one of the most fit sides for a very long time and this helped them keep their dominance for so long. A lot of games being decided in the final 20mins. If he did have this environment with Kangaroos then I’m sure this helped him fit right in when he switched codes.
Ash
Guest
Hmmm ???? you sure he never learned any of that from playing Origin and for the Kangaroos and then he brought that same attitude into the ABs?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
You mean JOC? You clearly haven’t watched many games this year.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I think this one of the keys. Thorn will know from his AB days that you need to be super fit, not just for the physical side of things, but the more fit you are the better your decision making under pressure when fatigued and tired.
Olly
Roar Rookie
I think people underestimate the work ethic Thorn has brought to the Reds. The Reds are clearly more focused and a far fitter then any other Australia team...this has been a big turn around compared the the amature party team culture they have had.
Olly
Roar Rookie
ASY balances out that Reds backrow. Got to think of the backrow as a unit not individuals.
Olly
Roar Rookie
I am in the same boat. I don't rate him as a play so I can't see him as captain. We have far better players in the backrow then Liam and last year to me he was over hyped. McFraser for example is the player that deserves the hype.
Olly
Roar Rookie
To many better young guns for Liam Wright IMO..he will find himself playing overseas. I am a Reds man and I question him even being on the bench.
Olly
Roar Rookie
I hope not. JOC is clearly our best captain.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Has McKeller started complaining about Tupou yet? Any other scrum problems/excuses? :silly:
Fat Gary
Roar Rookie
True, he has been very solid this year. Nothing wrong with a strong bench either
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
We might differ Bobby. I can see ASY as a tremendous bench Wallaby covering all back 5 spots.And you know he'd put in,never leave you wondering.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Fat. I dunno. ASY is a super quality player, not Wallaby standard IMO. However the bloke digs in, has go, and whilst no world beater, seems to be glue in effort and workload.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
True, but they also had a week off coming.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Ha. Seems lots more worship the hallowed ground upon which he stands. TBH, hes done (with McKay) a pretty good job. Suppose the icing on the cake only really comes at full time.
Fat Gary
Roar Rookie
I’m with you then. Think he’s a good SR player but hasn’t really performed in Tests (although only limited opportunities). That said, I would play him ahead of ASY in this game
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Not me, that's for sure. But quite a few on here over the past couple of years (if I recall correctly)
Fat Gary
Roar Rookie
Who thought Wright would be a Wallaby capt, Bob?