Former All Blacks prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen has been elevated to the Queensland Reds’ match day squad for Saturday night’s clash against the Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium.
Drawing on his experience of more than a decade in professional rugby, Toomaga-Allen is part of three personnel changes for Round Three of Super Rugby Pacific.
Toomaga-Allen, 33, has been selected on the bench with Sef Fa’agase named in the starting front-row to replace the injured Alex Hodgman (shoulder).
While Toomaga-Allen made his Reds debut last November against the Saitama-Panasonic Wild Knights, this will be his first Super Rugby outing for his new club after a decorated 118-game career for the Hurricanes (2012-19) and overseas stints for Wasps and Ulster.
His career also hit the highs of a Test for the All Blacks and three for Samoa.
Fullback Jordan Petaia and centre Hunter Paisami have also been ruled out by knocks sustained in the 38-33 loss to the Hurricanes last Sunday in Melbourne. Both have begun their return-to-play protocols after a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) during Super Round in Melbourne.
The backline adjustments to play the Chiefs mean Jock Campbell switching from wing to fullback, Mac Grealy returning on the wing and strong-running Isaac Henry winning his first call-up of 2024 at inside centre.
Having Henry in full stride is a real positive after a strong game for the Reds Development XV against Souths last Saturday. At his best, he's the centre who scored two tries in a striking run-on debut when the Chiefs were beaten in Townsville in 2021.
“Right from the first trial against the Western Force, Isaac has looked strong, fit and fast and the transition has been seamless when he’s been called into games as a replacement,” Reds head coach Les Kiss said.
“He’s a direct player for us with a good skill set while moving to fullback is a natural switch for Jock.
“Jeffery has game time under his belt with two games for the Reds Development XV over the past two weekends.
“To have his experience to call on his invaluable and it’s great to have the luxury of a prop who is highly equipped to switch from tighthead to loosehead as Sef is as a starter.”
Junior Wallabies winger Tim Ryan has been selected on the bench for a potential Super Rugby Pacific debut.
The Reds have distilled the positives from last weekend’s extra-time thriller against the Hurricanes yet are acutely aware of the improvements they still have to make.
“The truth is that match against the Hurricanes could have gone either way. While we take a lot of heart from that, we don’t like losing,” Kiss said.
The Reds produced one of the standout performances of 2023 when they upset the Chiefs 25-23 in New Plymouth.
The sides met again in the Super Rugby Pacific quarter-finals where the Chiefs finished as 29-20 victors in Hamilton.
“We twice played away from home against probably the best team in the comp last year. We’re looking forward to welcoming them to Brisbane this time,” Kiss said.
“The support we’ve had from our home fans in the first part of the season has been excellent. They drive us to do the best for them.”
Saturday 9 March
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
6:35pm AEST
Watch live via 9GEM and Stan Sport
1. Sef Fa’agase – Sunnybank – Shailer Park State High School – Beaudesert Warriors
2. Matt Faessler – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar School – USQ Saints
3. Zane Nonggorr – Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles
4. Seru Uru – Wests – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli Rugby Club, Fiji
5. Ryan Smith – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe – Caboolture Snakes
6. Liam Wright (cc) – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School - Easts
7. Fraser McReight – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar School – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson – Brothers – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Tate McDermott (cc) University of Queensland – Sunshine Coast Grammar School – Flinders Rugby Club
10. Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland – Epsom College, England – Richmond Rugby Club
11. Mac Grealy – University of Queensland – Downlands College – Souths Toowoomba
12: Isaac Henry - Wests - Brisbane Boys' College - Kenmore Bears
13. Josh Flook – Brothers – St Joseph’s Nudgee College - Brothers
14. Suliasi Vunivalu – Wests – Saint Kentigern College, Auckland
15. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders
16. Josh Nasser – University of Queensland – St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace-Easts
17. Peni Ravai – Easts – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji
18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen** - Norths - Wellington College, NZ
19. Cormac Daly - Norths – Ul Riada, Ireland – North Kildare/Kilcock GAA, Ireland
20. John Bryant - Souths - St Laurence’s College - Souths
21. Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School - Souths
22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips - Souths – Brisbane Boys’ College – Gunnedah Red Devils
23. Tim Ryan * - Brothers - St Patrick's College
*Potential Super Rugby Pacific debut
**Potential Super Rugby Pacific debut as a Red
