Reds call in rookie U20 flank
Wallaby Under-20 flank Liam Gill has answered an SOS from the Reds to return to Brisbane as a replacement for injured loose forward Beau Robinson.
Gill left on a flight to Milan on Sunday for the Junior World Championships but will return to Brisbane on Thursday, after the Australia Rugby Union agreed to let the talented youngster return to the Reds following Robinson’s season ending injury.
“We said when the squad was first selected that if injuries occurred at the Super Rugby level we would look at assisting the provinces by releasing players back to them from the U20 squad,” said ARU managing director and CEO John O’Neill.
“Clearly the Reds were in that situation following the unfortunate injury to Beau Robinson and we moved quickly to ensure that Liam Gill would return from Europe immediately.”
Queensland Rugby CEO Jim Carmichael praised the ARU’s decision after they already released wing Dom Shipperley from Under20 duty.
“We worked through a complex issue at an unfortunate time but the ARU was fantastic in understanding our position and assisting by releasing Liam Gill,” Carmichael said.
Reds head coach Ewen McKenzie said Gill wouldn’t be considered for selection on Saturday due to the extraordinary amount of travel he has undergone and the lack of preparation he would have for the Brumbies.
