The Queensland Reds might not yet have a coach for 2024, but Hunter Paisami will stay put for another year in a major boost for the franchise.
There were great fears that Paisami would be the latest to head to the Melbourne Rebels, but the Wallabies midfielder has opted to stay put for another year.
His decision to re-sign for just one year is likely down to a couple of reasons.
Paisami wants to experience what the Reds will look and feel like next year once Brad Thorn departs the franchise, but he’s also interested to see where he stands under new Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.
Indeed, it’s a question many are asking with Jones not having to name his first official squad until The Rugby Championship starts in early July.
Hunter Paisami is set to re-sign with the Reds on a new one-year deal. Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images
Paisami featured prominently under Dave Rennie, where he played 24 Tests.
But the broadening scope of Rugby Australia’s eligibility selection policy to allow Samu Kerevi to feature, the rise of Len Ikitau and development of Lalakai Foketi means Paisami is no shoe-in under Jones.
Nonetheless, his ability to play both positions in the midfield is something that will help his chances snare one of the prized 33 plane tickets to Paris. His decision to stay put will also bolster his chances.
After all, Jones has repeatedly said he’s only interested in those that want to play – or coach – for the Wallabies. Everything else he’s not interested in. Well, in 2023 at least.
Paisami had interest in England.
Hunter Paisami drew interest from England and the Rebels but has chosen to stay at the Reds. Photo: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
It’s easy to see why. Only 18 months ago he was one of a few that stood up against Eddie’s England at Twickenham.
The Rebels, too, wanted to lure Paisami down to the Stockade.
After missing out on Kerevi, Paisami – a local, who got into strife off-field and was considered too small – has some of the same qualities as the Japan-based Wallaby.
Paisami hasn’t played since coming off after 17 minutes against the Rebels in late March.
At that point the Reds led 14-0 after 17 minutes. The Reds went down 40-34.
It’s hoped he will return in time for the finals from an MCL injury.
The Reds’ hopes of sneaking up as high as possible on the Super Rugby standings could well come down to Saturday’s derby against the NSW Waratahs.
The clash shapes as another vital one for selection under Eddie Jones too, with Langi Gleeson set to go head-to-head with Harry Wilson, Jake Gordon against Tate McDermott and Michael Hooper and Fraser McReight.
SlytheeTove
Roar Rookie
I reckon he's more of a Pat McCabe type. Pat never gave up, but like Hunter, the big hits often left Pat more injured than the opponent, and I assume this led to his premature retirement due to a chronic neck injury. When you're undersized for a position, I often see players suffer from small-man syndrome and will look to prove they can play bigger, but the brain is writing cheques the body can't cash. Hunter does have some nice skills (grubber, long passing), but they don't get shown enough.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
I didn't know Hodge was leaving. That sad but he has been around for a while i guess
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
Could be very important as a match up for back up wallaby 13
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
Sadly Paisami hasn't shown the form of 2020 that got him selected in the first place. His over the top dummy and go is not fallen for at all anymore and he does it multiple times a game when there is an overlap out wide. He's still one of my favourite players but for the Wallabies would be 3rd choice 12 behind Kerevi and Foketi. And probably 3rd choice 13 behind Ikatau and Perese and lineball with Hodge and Flook.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I can understand him staying for a one year extension, he has a strong relationship with his fellow players and understands the game plan and structures within the game. He can now see what the new coach brings to the team and if this will further improve his own game, if not then if he plays well his value will increase which will lead to more opportunities when other clubs come in for him. If he left for England he knows that would be the end of his chances with EJ, going to another Australian side would mean that he would have to learn their style of play while establishing new relationships. He cannot afford that it took time while trying to impress EJ, a commonsense resigning timeframe! If he establishes himself in the Wallabies then he could look at another SR side. Maybe he spoke to Eddie who advised him to stay put for now, if so then it would not go down well by going against the advice of the National coach.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Regardless of whether Wessels was or wasn't a good coach, the fact is Paisami's version of events doesn't line up. He didn't leave the Rebels for opportunity. He left the Rebels to play Brisbane club rugby in 2019. Coincidentally, his departure aligned with him being charged with assault. According to him, Wessels thought he was too small. But the reality was at the time, he was behind better players. Billy Meakes, a Wallaby tourist, Tom English, also a Wallaby tourist, Reece Hodge, a regular Wallaby and Sione Tuipolotu who has gone on to excel for Scotland. The reality was he was inexperienced and well down on the pecking order, in a team that also didn't have any centres that were large for their position.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Mate I’m not his attorney so I can’t say why he wouldn’t bring up criminal charges in a press interview about him making the Wallabies. But Wessels wasn’t the coach he was dressed up to be. A very common trend it seems. Paisami has been great for Queensland.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Jeepers CJ, that's harsh. I've always considered Paisami skilful, but prone to crash-ball running instead of actually using the ball-playing skills that he actually does possess (and has shown, on occasion). He's much better when he uses his footwork and ball skills, rather than trying to play like Kerevi or Nathan Grey (back in the day).
Donaldson - the field of play
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
No thanks, I like Paisami, he's a good player but Ikitau at 13 means Paisami can't play his best position. He'd be too expensive and the Brumbies would lose some young talent to sign him. I'd rather keep Tua at 12 until a young Aussie is ready for the position than sign Paisami.
Ray
Roar Rookie
I agree. I think Australian rugby hasn't got the best from HP and really please that he hasn't left early.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Perese - Flook
They already have Ili and the Romanian rambler. Was an awesome combo at the start of the season.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yes Brad was quick to select him when he arrived and has played him consistently ever since.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
He should have gone to the Brumbies . Larkham would polish him up . A complete player , hard runner and hard tackler he needs a decent 10 inside him .
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Anybody who knows him well, that isn't a great look for Brad Thorn...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Funny how Hunter doesn't mention the assault charge that happened around the time. He left the Rebels. He also didn't get another opportunity elsewhere. He played club rugby in QLD in 2019. So the reality is the guy that is not mentioning what he did wrong, and who didn't leave for another opportunity is lying, or the franchise that signed him to a contract when they knew what size he was given he played Vic Schoolboys and Rebels 20s and came through their program suddenly discovered that he wasn't big enough and seemingly never asked him to step on a set of scales in the years he was in their program.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Creighton - Rugby
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
“One day, I went up to Dave and I asked him ‘what do you want me to do to try and get a shot?’ He basically answered my question on the spot; I wasn’t going to play Super Rugby at all,” Paisami tells RUGBY.com.au. “He said he wanted big centres and he basically told me - because I had another year left - if I get another opportunity elsewhere just take it because I won’t play.” https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/11/20/the-brutal-conversation-that-helped-turn-hunter-paisami-into-a-wallabies-star-tri-nations
PeterK
Roar Guru
The red – tahs match will have a lot of interesting matchups. Porecki – Asiata Holloway – Uru Seu – Wright Hooper- McReight Gleeson – Wilson Gordon – McDermott Foketi – JoC Perese – Paisami Mark N – Petaia Pietsch – Vunivalu Jorgenson – Campbell