‘He’s a force of nature’: Comebacks revealed for injured Wallabies stars
By Nick Wright
Wallabies star Filipo Daugunu is on the cusp of a full recovery from the injury that cost him his spring tour, with Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss confident the recruit would launch their Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
Daugunu has resumed contact training at Ballymore, after fracturing his fibula in August against the Springboks.
The 29-year-old returned to Queensland after the Melbourne Rebels’ demise to fill the void left by Jordan Petaia, and the versatile outside back appears on track to feature in his side’s preseason England tour.
Filipo Daugunu is tracking strongly on his return from injury.Credit: Getty
“It’s been a bit of a road for him, but he’s worked hard with the medics,” Kiss said.
“He’s a force of nature, isn’t he? He’s well-built, he’s pretty strong, but to have him out there to get used to our style and the way we play is optimal.
“His impact in the locker room is obvious, and we know what he can do on the pitch.
“It’s great to have him back out there.”
While Daugunu played outside centre in Melbourne, Josh Flook’s breakout campaign – resulting in a Test debut – could land him on the wing.
The Reds lost Petaia to the NFL’s International Player Pathways, Mac Grealy to the Western Force, Suliasi Vunivalu to La Rochelle and Floyd Aubrey to rugby league – leaving Tim Ryan as the only flyer left standing among the incumbents.
But Kiss would not rule out using Daugunu’s hulking frame in the centres.
“I think the real strength of a lot of our players is they can play at least two positions. It’s no different for Filipo, his influence will be great whether he’s at 13 or 12, and I know on the wing he can be very damaging,” Kiss said.
“We’ll make sure he can play to his strengths – he’s good over the ball, if he’s in the 13 channel he can put some damage on. He’ll give us strengths when we need it, and I know he’s willing to put the Reds jersey on, whatever position.”
Kiss also confirmed Queensland co-captain Liam Wright was progressing on his comeback trail, after undergoing shoulder surgery following his return to the Wallabies’ fold.
The 27-year-old has endured an injury-plagued career, but his most consistent season since earning a 2019 Test debut earned him the nation’s captaincy against Wales.
Wallabies captain Liam Wright.Credit: Getty Images
While Wright’s latest setback mystified doctors, Kiss revealed the flanker was in line to feature in the Reds’ clashes against Bristol and Ulster in January.
“We’re very optimistic about the start so we feel it can accelerate. In terms of a comeback, we’re still looking at the beginning of the season,” Kiss said.
“We won’t rush it, but we’ll use his wisdom because he’s been through it a bit, and he’ll know when he’s ready.
“If he’s ready to play [in England] we’ll probably look at it, but if not, he may come there as a leader. We’ll make those decisions closer to that time.”