Queensland Reds promote veteran George Smith to first XV for clash with Lions
THE staying power of George Smith has never seemed more ageless because new Reds teammate Jordan Petaia wasn’t even born when he made his Super 12 debut.
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THE staying power of George Smith has never seemed more ageless because new Reds teammate Jordan Petaia wasn’t even born when he made his Super 12 debut.
Young Petaia’s selection at just 18 to start against South Africa’s ladder-leading Lions on Saturday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium should be reminding veterans they are too old for this caper.
Not Smith. Rugby’s Peter Pan is excited about his own return to the No.7 jersey and judging whether a 37-year-old body, with an artificial disc, can keep powering on to even play one more season in Japan.
Samu Kerevi may be captain but Smith will be the undisputed leader of the pack because six forwards at 21 or younger in the 23-man squad need to be shown an upset is possible.
Smith was all dreadlocks and teenage energy when he first appeared for the ACT Brumbies 18 years ago just four days before Petaia was born on March 14, 2000.
“I’ve been impressed with him since I first saw him on the training paddock,” Smith said.
“He’s shown me up a couple of times but that’s not too hard to show up a 37-year-old.
“He has very strong raw ability and he’s not afraid to take a guy on the outside.”
It was one such jinking, fearless 25m run from Petaia down the left sideline against the Chiefs last weekend that caught coach Brad Thorn’s eye as a kid “ripping in.”
Thorn must have been impressed because to fit him in he’s bumped to the bench Izaia Perese, a weapon who is not quite back to his pre-season sharpness after knee surgery.
The Reds were young and inexperienced even before losing another 162-games worth of nous with prop James Slipper (collarbone) and flyhalf Jono Lance (concussion) sidelined.
Lance’s absence gives headgeared Hamish Stewart his big chance at No.10.
Stewart has a thumping boot, a sure pass, darts when the chance arises and has the resolve to make classic trysaving cover tackles as he did against the Jaguares last month.
He has made 10 cameos off the bench to reach this point and Smith reflected the confidence all at the Reds have in the 20-year-old.
“We have full confidence in Hamish carrying the extra responsibility,” Smith said.
“He’s got a monstrous boot, very good vision and he doesn’t back off in contact which are things I noticed about him straight away.”
Smith said pressuring the Lions with big defence had to be the start of any winning formula on Saturday for a side which has scored just 15 tries in eight games.
“Our attack hasn’t been great but everything is built on good defence and that attack will come,” Smith said.
Smith pinpointed lapses in concentration for the Reds falling off the pace in recent games.
“It showed with the amount of missed tackles early against the Chiefs and it’s those little things like positioning on (opposition) quick taps that most people don’t see,” Smith said.
Broad-shouldered Dalby product Harry Hoopert is in line for a debut off the bench which is rare indeed for a prop of just 19.
Reds team v Lions
3:05pm AEST, Saturday, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Live: Fox Soprts
1. JP Smith — (GPS socks)
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa — (Sunnybank socks)
3. Taniela Tupou —(Brothers and Sacred Heart College socks)
4. Izack Rodda — (Lismore City and Ballina Rugby Club socks)
5. Kane Douglas — (Yamba Buccaneers socks)
6. Angus Scott-Young — (Churchie socks)
7. George Smith — (Brothers socks)
8. Caleb Timu — (Marsden State High socks)
9. Ben Lucas — (Sunnybank socks)
10. Hamish Stewart — (Toowoomba Grammar socks)
11. Jordan Petaia — (Brisbane State High socks)
12. Samu Kerevi (C) – (Brisbane State High socks)
13. Chris Feauai-Sautia — (Brisbane State High socks)
14. Filipo Daugunu — (Wests socks)
15. Aidan Toua — (Churchie socks)
Reserves:
16. Alex Mafi — (Nudgee College socks)
17. Harry Hoopert — (Dalby Wheatman socks)
18. Ruan Smith — (GPS socks)
19. Harry Hockings — (Churchie)
20. Adam Korczyk — (Brisbane State High socks)
21. Moses Sorovi — (St. Peters Lutheran College socks)
22. Duncan Paia’aua — (Emmaus College Rockhampton socks)
23. Izaia Perese — (Churchie socks)
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Originally published as Queensland Reds promote veteran George Smith to first XV for clash with Lions
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