Moana Pasifika
28
Match Complete
Queensland Reds
40
| D. Leuila |  | 79 | ||
| L. Tolai |  | 79 | ||
| D. Leuila | | 65 | ||
| M. Faiilagi | | 63 | ||
| 55 | | L. Creighton | ||
| 54 | | L. Creighton | ||
| 46 | | M. Faessler | ||
| 36 | | L. Creighton | ||
| 35 | | S. Vunivalu | ||
| 31 | | L. Creighton | ||
| 30 | | H. Wilson | ||
| L. McClutchie | | 29 | ||
| D. Toala | | 27 | ||
| 22 | | L. Creighton | ||
| 21 | | M. Faessler | ||
| L. McClutchie | | 13 | ||
| M. Faiilagi | | 12 | ||
| 10 | | L. Creighton | ||
| 9 | | F. McReight |
| 4 | Tries | 6 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 5 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Head coach Brad Thorn has made seven changes to his starting side, with Samoa’s Apia Park set to host Moana Pasifika for the first time. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 2.05pm AEST.
Jake Upfield will make his Queensland and Super Rugby Pacific starting debut at blindside flanker, with skipper Liam Wright ruled out with a hand injury in training. James O’Connor will run on at inside centre in place of Isaac Henry who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Suliasi Vunivalu returns to the starting side on the wing, as do props Sef Fa’agase and Zane Nonggorr, with Jordan Petaia celebrating his 50th Queensland and Super Rugby cap.
Connor Vest and Ryan Smith make for a new-look lock combination as the Reds look to break a three-game losing streak on Friday afternoon. Advertisementhttps://embed.acast.com/6204c56cad9095001242f5af
Matt Faessler will start at hooker alongside Fa’agase and Nonggorr, with Fa’agase making his return from suspension.
Angus Blyth’s three-game ban and a concussion to Seru Uru provides Vest and Smith the chance to start, while Gold Coast product Upfield will combine with Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight in the backrow.
Lawson Creighton combines with skipper Tate McDermott in the halves, with Josh Flook set to partner O’Connor in the centres.
Vunivalu returns on the wing in place of Filipo Daugunu, with Jock Campbell and Petaia starting at fullback and wing respectively.
After recovering from concussion, Tom Lynagh returns on the bench with lock Lopeti Faifua and outside back Mac Grealy also recalled.
Game information
Venue: Apia Park, Apia
Kick-off: 2.05pm (AEST)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: Moana $2.12, Reds $1.72 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Moana Pasifika (1-15): Ezekiel Lindnemuth, Samiuela Moli, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Michael Curry, Mike McKee, Miracle Faiilagi, Niko Jones, Solomone Funaki (c), Ereatara Enari, Lincoln McClutchie, Neria Fomai, Danny Toala, Levi Aumua, Timoci Tavatavanawai, William Havili.
Replacements: Luteru Tolai, Abraham Pole, Suetena Asomua, Potu Leavasa, Sione Tu’ipulotu, Manu Paea, D’Angelo Leuila, Fine Inisi.
Queensland Reds: (1-15): Sef Fa’agase, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Connor Vest, Ryan Smith, Jake Upfield, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Lawson Creighton, Jordan Petaia, James O’Connor, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell.
Replacements: Richie Asiata, Peni Ravai, Phransis Sula-Siaosi, Lopeti Faifua, Connor Anderson, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy.
FrancisF
Roar Pro
LuckyPhil Of course I never doubt it. That is why I said so. He is good. I followed his career when he started out. He became a legend when he took on as coach for Japan in the RWC and beat the Springboks. Coaching has a shelf-life. Ask any rugby coach. Either they leave on a high or in less respectable way.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I wondered about their coaching too Faith. Don’t know about Mauger as a coach, but this team deserves a good one. Couldn’t SRP admin support these development teams with coach finance for the sake of the competition?
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
2003 - As Australia coach made it to the RWC final
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Perhaps Eddie Jones should put his glorified coaching resume FFS, lets put this glorified coaching resume under the microscope. 2007 - Technical adviser to Springboks when they won the World Cup 2012 - Won the Japan Top League final 2014 - As Japanese coach beat Italy 2015 - As Japanese Coach beat Springboks and was the first time a Japanese team had won three pool games at a RWC 2016 - As England coach won the grand slam had a 3-0 series win over the Wallabies, and managed 17 wins in a row 2019 - As England coach made it to the RWC final Not bad for someone with a "glorified coaching resume"
piru
Roar Rookie
Thanks folks, these blogs are a godsend for those of us still at work in civilised parts of the world Congrats Reds
Coker
Roar Rookie
Of course. It wouldn't be a game involving an Oz team where this isn't the case...
Lano
Roar Guru
Jeez I’ve moved from 160 to 24 (equal 4th) in the tipping comp and I went out on a long with MP. Oh well, back to the predictables!!
Wig
Roar Rookie
Touchy just let it go, looking right at it
CUW
Roar Rookie
did he play the second 1/2 ??? :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
CUW
Roar Rookie
im baffled by the same coloured shirts ??? surely every team has a white away shirt ??? if not for the white shorts - would have been a mess to know who is playing :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Greysy
Roar Rookie
I think more than coaching what they need is a better tight five. The backrow is good quality and the backline has the capacity to blow any other team away (if they can cut out the forward passes). But the tight five is easily the worst of any team in the comp and their set piece is appalling.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Not rerally whst Thorn wanted. Yes a win but a convincing win? Not really. Twelve points in it and seven of those from an intercept. He will last the season but that will be it.
CUW
Roar Rookie
those 2 trys - yes the TMO was right - but they were really proper rugger trys , not the silly rolling maul push overs !!! Moana has the same problem Fiji did a few years back - no proper pack that can at least secure own ball at a scrum at one point - the commentary said - lets give Reds a straight penalty - coz that is going to be the result of this scrum !!! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Faith
Roar Rookie
Right on the moneyabout coaching. Aaron Mauger - nice dude - but after failure with the Clan its clear that he's an NPC coach. A better coach and this team win a lot of the 50-50s and become more than 40 min team ...
FrancisF
Roar Pro
Moana Pasifika has very talented skills with players of international standards. What it needs is a good coaching team to gel them into a unified fighting force. Perhaps Eddie Jones should put his glorified coaching resume to a real test to bring out the Moana Pasifika from the doldrums ( at reduced fees of course, because the team can’t afford his price.. or get topped up by those with deep pockets.)
Bodger
Roar Rookie
A much needed win.
WEST
Roar Guru
QLD win :silly: . MP actually stayed in this one.. for a change. But Blew 3-4 tries. The Reds deserve this one, playing in difficult conditions
Wig
Roar Rookie
2 weeks to get it sorted
James Beale
Roar Guru
82′ Reds hold the maul on their 5-metre line to a standstill and force the turnover. Moana Pasifika gave an exciting effort in their first game in Samoa, but squandered too many chances. Reds get a much needed win but can't capitalise with a bonus point. Final Score: Moana Pasifika…….. 28 Reds………............... 40
Wooliej
Roar Rookie
I’m baffled by some of the ref’s decisions.