Star duo return as Reds lose Wallaby
THE Queensland Reds have regained the services of electrifying duo Jordan Petaia and Suliasi Vunivalu but lost powerful Wallabies centre Hunter Paisami for Friday night’s Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium.
Petaia and Vunivalu will return from hamstring injuries to play on the wings in a backline that was also set to include Paisami until he was ruled out after training on Wednesday with a shoulder injury. Paisami’s misfortune meant a selection reprieve for Josh Flook, who had been dropped to the bench after starting on the wing in the Reds’ 27-25 loss to the Chiefs last Friday night.
Instead, Flook will start in the centres alongside Hamish Stewart in a Reds side desperate to avoid a third straight defeat against New Zealand opposition.
There also three changes in
Queensland’s starting forward pack, with Feao Fotuaika replacing injured prop Taniela Tupou (calf) and lock Lukhan SalakaiaLoto and flanker Seru Uru coming in respectively for Angus Blyth and Angus Scott-Young, who have both been relegated to the bench.
“(It’s) just the leadership that Lukhan brings,” Reds skipper Tate McDermott said.
“He’s a senior player in our group, and Seru’s just a pleasure to have out there.”