Super Rugby Pacific: Suliasi Vunivalu back from injury to start for Reds

David Skippers

The Reds have been boosted by the return of Suliasi Vunivalu (wing) and Angus Scott-Young (back-row) for their Round Nine Super Rugby Pacific match with the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park on Friday.

Vunivalu is set to play his first game of 2022 after being sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained in the pre-season, while Scott-Young is back following a six-week stint on the sideline due to a knee injury.

Trio set for run-on debuts

Meanwhile, Queensland Premier Rugby products Richie Asiata (hooker), Zane Nonggorr (tighthead prop) and Connor Vest (blindside flanker) are set to make their Reds and Super Rugby starting debuts, with 20-year-old lock Lopeti Faifua potentially making his bow off the replacements bench.

Loosehead prop Feao Fotuaika also returns to the starting line-up, with Reds head coach Brad Thorn making five alterations to the run-on side which defeated the Brumbies in Brisbane in Round Seven.

Thorn said: “After the bye we’re looking forward to travelling down to Melbourne this week.

“The Rebels are in good form. They’re an improved side and will be a tough opposition.

“It’s good to have a couple of our guys making their return this week. Suliasi Vunivalu will play his first game this year after a tough time on the sideline with Angus Scott-Young also back from injury.

“Lopeti Faifua could potentially make his Queensland debut this week. His selection is great recognition after months of hard work in our programme.”

Fotuaika, Asiata and Nonggorr form a new-look front-row, with Ryan Smith and Angus Blyth providing continuity in the second-row.

Connor Vest partners Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson in the back-row, while Tate McDermott will captain the side from scrum-half with James O’Connor starting outside him at fly-half.

Hunter Paisami and Hamish Stewart continue in the centres, with Jordan Petaia, Filipo Daugunu and Vunivalu making for an exciting back-three combination as the Reds look to continue their six-game unbeaten run against the Rebels.

Faifua and Scott-Young are joined on the bench by Taniela Tupou, Josh Flook, Lawson Creighton, Harry Hoopert and Matt Faessler.

Reds: 15 Jordan Petaia, 14 Suliasi Vunivalu, 13 Hunter Paisami, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 James O’Connor,, 9 Tate McDermott (c), 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Connor Vest, 5 Angus Blyth, 4 Ryan Smith, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Richie Asiata, 1 Feao Fotuaika
Replacements: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Lopeti Faifua, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Josh Flook, 23 Lawson Creighton

Date: Friday, April 15
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 19:45 local (10:45 BST, 09:45 GMT)
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry, Amber McLachlan
TMO: Oli Kellett

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