Reds bad boy gets a bench role
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made just the one change to their starting XV for Friday’s Super Rugby AU clash against the Melbourne Rebels in Brisbane.
Former NRL flyer Suliasi Vunivalu is poised to make his Super Rugby AU debut off the bench.
The prized recruit was forced to sit out last weekend’s season-opening win over the NSW Waratahs after being stood down for one match and fined for allegedly striking a security guard in the face late last month.
While the former Melbourne Storm wing will still have to go court in April, Reds coach Brad Thorn had no issues bringing the 25-year-old straight in to his team to face the Rebels.
“Good to have him involved this week and obviously we were hoping it was last week,” Thorn said.
“I guess that’s all fish and chip paper now.
“He’s been preparing for Friday and I think a lot of people will be excited to see what he brings.”
Vunivalu has been named on the bench along with another potential debutant in Sam Wallis, with Thorn making just one change to the starting line-up that belted the Waratahs 41-7 last Friday.
Thorn insists introducing Vunivalu off the bench was always his plan but added the performance of his backline against the Waratahs didn’t justify change for change’s sake.
“It’s definitely how I like to do it if someone’s coming in from an injury or new to the team. It just takes the pressure off,” he said.
“You’ve also got to remember you’ve got Jordan Petaia and Filipo Daugunu, you’ve got Hamish Stewart and Hunter Paisami there. You’ve got Jock Campbell at the back. It’s not just a list that someone can walk into is it?”
In the one change to the run-on team, Taniela Tupou starts at tighthead prop with Feao Fotuaika to take on the job as finisher from the bench.
Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Jordan Petaia, 13 Hunter Paisami, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 James O’Connor (captain), 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Seru Uru, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 Dane Zander.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Ryan Smith, 20 Sam Wallis, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Suliasi Vunivalu.
Date: Friday, February 26
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 18.45 (19.45 AEDT; 08.45 GMT)
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant referee: Damon Murphy, Aaron Pook
TMO: Brett Cronan
