Rookie on fast track to the top
ROOKIE Reds hooker Brandon Paenga- Amosa has transformed from little- known Sydney club player to likely Wallabies bolter in nine months thanks to the talentspotting of Brad Thorn.
Saturday’s clash against the Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium is more than just an ideal night to topple a top Kiwi side, because the burly forward can nail a spot in the Wallabies squad with a rousing display.
After more than a decade with riches at hooker, the Wallabies will abruptly discover what life is like without retired skipper Stephen Moore and veteran Tatafu Polota- Nau against Ireland next month.
Polota- Nau has been given the series off, essentially forced rest for his battle- scarred 32year- old frame in between hectic commitments with English club Leicester and the Wallabies before the World Cup next year.
Just who will wear the No. 2 jersey, and act as the two backup hookers in the squad, against Ireland’s chest- beating front row is the tricky question that Wallabies coach Michael Cheika must answer.
Young gun Jordan Uelese made such an impression as last year’s bolter that the jersey was being measured for him.
His injury- disrupted season with a torn bicep is only likely to resume off the bench for the Melbourne Rebels on Friday night.
It still gives him a shot at match fitness before the June 9 Test in Brisbane but what do we make of mobile Rebel Anaru Rangi, Waratah Tolu Latu and novice Brumby Folau Faingaa as other contenders?
Latu is the most seasoned, Uelese has huge potential and the hooker ticking all the right boxes is Paenga- Amosa, 22, because his strengths start where Cheika needs him most.
He was a commanding scrummaging presence when the Reds dominated powerhouse Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx and his Lions scrum in April and has consistently stepped up in that area.
Paenga- Amosa has been spot on with his throwing and the Reds lineout is humming at 86 per cent efficiency this season.