Jordan Petaia set to miss the Queensland Reds’ clash with the Chiefs
The Queensland Reds have suffered a major blow ahead of their Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Chiefs.
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Wallabies star Jordan Petaia is expected to miss Queensland’s Super Rugby Pacific clash with the table-topping Chiefs on Saturday night due to the lingering effects of a head knock he suffered in the Reds’ 38-33 golden point extra-time weekend loss the Hurricanes.
And Petaia isn’t the only Reds player in extreme doubt for Saturday’s battle at Suncorp Stadium, with centre Hunter Paisami (concussion) and prop Alex Hodgman (shoulder) also unlikely to be involved.
The absence of fullback Petaia – who was hit in a high tackle that led to the dismissal of Hurricanes star Jordie Barrett – is likely to result in Jock Campbell shifting from the wing to the custodian’s role, and winger Mac Grealy being elevated from the bench.
Paisami’s replacement is tipped to be either Taj Annan or Isaac Henry, while it’s less certain who will take Hodgman’s spot if the New Zealand-born front-rower doesn’t play.
Having failed to “ice” their battle with a 14-man Hurricanes following Barrett’s 56th-minute send off, the Reds are desperate to land the knockout blow against the Chiefs in another match that lock Ryan Smith predicts will have a tight finish.
“We showed that we can stick with those New Zealand teams,” Smith said.
“Through some adversity they went down to 14 men, so we really need to be able to ice those games and it’s another exciting opportunity to try to do that this weekend against the Chiefs.
“It’ll definitely go down to the wire and it’ll be a nice, close game.”
Meanwhile, experienced Wallaroo Cecilia Smith has been appointed captain of the Queensland Reds’ team for this year’s Super Rugby Women’s season.
“I’m really honoured. The captaincy is a massive role to take on,” said Smith, who has taken over the skipper’s role from Shannon Parry.
The Reds start their Super W campaign on March 17 against Fijian Drua at Ballymore on March 17.
Originally published as Jordan Petaia set to miss the Queensland Reds’ clash with the Chiefs
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