Jeffery Toomaga-Allen ready to go to ‘dark places’ for the Queensland Reds

‘Gutted’ to miss the chance to play against his former club. ex-Hurricanes prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen is desperate make an impression for the Queensland Reds this weekend.

Ex-Hurricanes prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen is set to make first Super Rugby Pacific appearance for Queensland. Picture: AAP Image/Joe Castro

Former All Blacks prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen is set to make his first Super Rugby Pacific appearance for Queensland after being named in the Reds squad for Saturday night’s battle with the Chiefs.

With fellow Kiwi front-rower Alex Hodgman ruled out of the Suncorp Stadium clash with a shoulder injury, Toomaga-Allen has been called into Queensland’s 23-man squad.

The 33-year-old ex-Hurricanes prop, who made one appearance for All Blacks in 2013 as well as three for Samoa in 2022, has been named on the bench, with Sef Fa’agase elevated to start in the front-row.

“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 tight-head to loose-head as Sef is as a starter,” Reds coach Les Kiss.

Jeffery Toomaga-Allen breaks a tackle during his time as a Hurricanes player. Picture: AAP Image/Joe Castro

Toomaga-Allen has played for the past two weeks for the Reds Development XV after his pre-season was compromised by a knee injury.

“I was feeling the cobwebs in that first game but it was really good to get the confidence playing last week and the week before (for the development team),” said Toomaga-Allen, who admitted he was “gutted” to miss Queensland’s 38-33 golden-point, extra-time loss to the Hurricanes last Sunday.

“Obviously it’s a team close to my heart, but I was nervous on the couch watching the boys try to get one up on them.”

Toomaga-Allen said the Reds had to be willing to go to “dark places” to beat “good Kiwi teams”.

“That’s what I can help add to our team in particular. That’s what I’m really bringing to the team, that experience, and I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

As expected, fullback Jordan Petaia and centre Hunter Paisami have been ruled out due to concussion protocols.

In a reshuffled Queensland backline, Jock Campbell will move from wing to fullback, while winger Mac Grealy and inside centre Isaac Henry have been called into the starting team.

“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,” Kiss said.

“He’s a direct player for us with a good skill set, while moving to fullback is a natural switch for Jock.”

Kiss said the Reds were intent on redemption after falling just short against the Hurricanes.

“The truth is that match against the Hurricanes could have gone either way,” the Queensland coach said.

“While we take a lot of heart from that, we don’t like losing.”

Reds: Sef Fa’agase, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright. Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott. Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy, Isaac Henry, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell. Bench: Josh Nasser, Peni Ravai, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Cormac Daly, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan.

Chiefs: Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Tupou Vaa’i, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Daniel Rona, Shaun Stevenson, Josh Ioane. Bench: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, Reuben O’Neill, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Wallace Sititi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Jacomb, Anton Lienert-Brown.

Originally published as Jeffery Toomaga-Allen ready to go to ‘dark places’ for the Queensland Reds