Reds v Moana Pasifika Rd2 Friday 21 February Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 7:35pm

[Sully]

Finally, the Super Rugby season is starting. Reds by… I don't even care!

 

[TSR]

Who’s not in contention for selection this week? JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen), LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Wright (LFW). Is that it? Is Gibbon injured too?

Always look forward to seeing the first team list of the year but I feel like there is a fair bit of extra interest in this one than normal.

 

[LeCheese]

No Henry for the first few rounds either.

 

[TSR]

I feel like we have should expect our bench to really bring some energy and impact.

I’m expecting a front row of Fa’agase, Nasser and De Lutiis who should be decent around the field but, hopefully, really strong in the scrum.

My preference from the cheap seats in the row is Blyth & Smith who will both get a truckload of grunt work done. Canham seems well suited to bring impact from the bench. Likewise either Bryant or Brial coming on behind McReight, Wilson and Uru.

Reserve half will be interesting. Thomas is more a tradesman than an impact player. Maybe Werchon gets a chance to up the tempo?

McLaughlin-Philip has some way to go IMO as a super level 10, but he is more dynamic and seems very capable of bringing some spark.

Out wide. I don’t know. I could understand Kiss wanting a slightly bigger body like Anderson, but I really feel Daugunu & Ryan look good. Then maybe Gordon on the bench.

So maybe
Hodgman
Faessler
Nonggorr
Smith
Blyth
Uru
McReight
Wilson
McDermott
Lynagh
Daugunu
Paisami
Flook
Ryan
Campbell

Nasser
Fa’agase
De Lutiis
Canham
Bryant
Thomas
McLaughlin-Phillip
Gordon

 

[Adam84]

Based on what i watched of the UK Trial matches.. Lynagh will be starting 10 and deservedly so

Daugunu might be out due to concussion...

And i feel the coaches want Anderson in the backline, he has been on the end of the 'starting backline' at most training sessions i watched at Ballymore and was given a few opportunities there in UK.

 

[Cole]

We'll know for sure tomorrow , but info I've heard is team will look something like this

Fa'agase
Asiaita
De Luitis
Smith
Canham
Uru
Mcreight
Wilson
Mcdermott
Lynagh
Dangunu
Paisami
Flook
Anderson/Ryan
Campbell

Faessler
Hodgman
?? not sure other prop Blake maybe
Blyth
Brial
Thoma
HMP
Anderson/Ryan

Gibbon injured, Gordon concussion at training

 

[TSR]

Is Nonggorr injured?

 

[Cole]

Think he was the prop i couldn't think of

 

[Adam84]

Nonggorr and De Lutis will be the THPs, just depends who starts, i can see merits in both players starting, pairing De Lutis up with Faessler in 1st half for experience, and then bringing Nongorr on in the second half as the more experienced THP to carry the scrum 80

 

[Derpus]

No Henry for the first few rounds either.

Surely this dude is on borrowed time at this point?

 

[LeCheese]

Yeah very likely a make or break season - worth noting this isn't a new injury though, just extended recovery from his patella tendon blowing up last season.

 

[Heavyd]

Given the excitement around the Reds roster and the fact QLD is now the beating heart of rugby in Australia what are the crowd expectations for Suncorp on Friday night? Reds averaged 14K in 2024 with their biggest crowd being vs Brumbies at 17500. Par would be 15k with anything over that a good result would be my take.

 

[LeCheese]

Friday games - especially those with daylight-savings adjusted kickoffs - are generally pretty low draws. Couple that with this not being a 'rivalry' game, and it being the Reds' first game of the season, I think it'll be closer to 13k.

 

[Spamnoodle]

Yep, Friday night games suck for anyone who doesn't work in the city. Especially if you want to take kids.

It'll be front row on Stan for me.

 

[Sully]

It's hard living on the Gold Coast and getting up and back for them.

 

[Wilson]

REDS (1-15): Sef Fa'agase, Richie Asiata, Massimo De Lutiis, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Tim Ryan, Jock Campbell

Replacements: Matt Faessler, George Blake, Zane Nonggorr, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Lachie Anderson


PASIFIKA (1-15): James Lay, Millennium Sanerivi, Feteleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, Samuel Slade, Allan Craig, Miracle Faillagi, Sione Havili Talitui, Ardie Savea (c), Jonathan Taumateine, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Kyren Taumoefolau, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Pepesana Patafilo, Solomon Alaimalo, William Havili

Replacements: Sama Malolo, Tito Tuipulotu, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Melani Matavao, Danny Toala, Losi Filipo

 

[JRugby2]

Injured (from another thread):

• Matt Gibbon
• Isaac Henry
• Will McCulloch
• Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
• Liam Wright
• Mason Gordon
• Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
• Alex Hodgman
• Jude Gibbs

 

[Adam84]

interesting split with Faessler and Nonggor on the bench, otherwise not unexpected

 

[JRugby2]

I hope we're not underestimating Moana here...

 

[Adam84]

I hate the term, but it has 'bomb squad' it feels a bit like that by keeping a few of the usual starting forwards on the bench.