Thursday’s rugby news has Taniela Tupou to debut for the Reds, Albert Anae to Japan, Amy Perrett to become to first female Super Rugby match official and Stephen Donald to start for the Chiefs.
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Tupou to Debut
Taniela ‘Tongan Thor’ Tupou is set to make his debut this weekend after being named on the bench for the Queensland Reds.
Tupou already has a compilation of YouTube highlights but co-coach Nick Stiles is looking for more from the young prop this weekend.
“I told Taniela that I don’t care about YouTube highlights this week unless it’s a 5m scrum pushover,” Stiles said.
“It’s been about getting the basics right because the running game comes to him naturally.
“He came to us pretty raw but he’s been packing at training against Test and Super Rugby-quality props like James Slipper, Ben Daley and Sef Fa’agase for the past two seasons.
“It’s been the ideal avenue for him to develop.’’
Leroy Houston is also set for his first Super Rugby game of the season after also being named on the bench.
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Anae to Japan
Brumbies prop Albert Anae has opted out of a second season with the Brumbies and will instead head to Japan.
Anae has not played any matches this season behind a Wallabies front row but has enjoyed his time with the Brumbies.
“I’ve really enjoyed coming back to Australia and being a part of the Brumbies,” Anae said.
“It’s a great setup and I’ve appreciated the opportunities I’ve had.
“This opportunity came up and the coaches have been really supportive of my move. They’ve been great to me the entire time I’ve been here and made me feel at home.
“Rugby is your passport around the world so to be able to take this chance and share it with my family is a real blessing.
“I did learn a lot from my time in Canberra and wish the boys and the coaching staff all the best for the rest of the season.”
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Perrett in Charge
Australian referee Amy Perrett will become the first female Super Rugby match official after she was appointed as an assistant referee for the Rebels v Stormers clash in Melbourne.
“It is something you never thought you would achieve because there has been no female involved before. I am bit nervous but extremely proud as well,” Perrett said.
“Growing up there weren’t too many female role models for myself, to look up to.
“If I can create something there and get more females involved in the game and up through the ranks, that would be more amazing than running out of the stadium on Saturday to be honest with you.”
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Donald to Start
Five years after kicking the winning penalty for the All Blacks in the 2011 World Cup final, Stephen Donald will start for the Chiefs in their historic match against the Crusaders in Fiji.
Donald has been rewarded after a strong performance against Wales in their mid week match in Hamilton in which they won 40-7.
Regular five-eight Aaron Cruden injured his neck against Wales in the All Blacks second test but has been named on the bench for the Chiefs.
All Blacks Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Seta Tamanivalu, and Damian McKenzie will all start whilst fellow internationals Nathan Harris and Tawera Kerr-Barlow are on the bench.
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