Super Rugby 2020: Reds young gun Jordan Petaia injured at training

Six weeks or six months? Reds young gun Jordan Petaia will be sweating on scan results next week after injuring his shoulder during a training session in Argentina.

Jordan Petaia’s shoulder injury has sent tremors through the Reds and Wallabies ranks with the grim outlook sitting somewhere between a four-week break and surgery.

Only scans on Tuesday will reveal the full extent of the damage now Queensland’s brightest young gun has been grounded by a collision injury at training in Argentina.

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Being forced out of the Super Rugby clash against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Sunday morning (Queensland time) is only the start of the fallout.

It’s believed the 19-year-old outside centre popped his shoulder on Wednesday when he was tackled towards the end of the heaviest contact session of the Reds’ training week.

Such dislocations are notoriously fickle depending on whether only ligaments have been strained or more major damage has been done to tendons or bone.

Reds coach Brad Thorn is traditionally understated so his comments suggest a grave scenario.

“We’re gutted for Jordan,” Thorn said.

“He’ll return home with the squad and will be looked at for further diagnosis.

“It’s personally frustrating for him and also for us as a group on the field.”

The exact injury and time frames are a mystery until Tuesday’s examination after Petaia flies home with the Reds.

A four-to-six-week lay-off is at the mild end if the joint is stable and there is minor damage.

Jordan Petaia hurt his shoulder at Queensland Reds training. Picture: Brendan Hertel

Surgery would mean up to six months on the sidelines and another ruined domestic season.

The injury curse has again floored Petaia, who played just 95 minutes of Super Rugby last year before a tricky mid-foot ligament tear ended his campaign.

He finally battled back from a hamstring problem to make an exciting try-scoring Test debut against Uruguay at the Rugby World Cup where he also faced Georgia and England.

Two solid games to open this 2020 Super Rugby season suggested he would soon find his dominating rhythm but the Reds have lost their top backline weapon.

Strong-running Hunter Paisami comes in as the replacement outside centre.

The Reds have looked a little pygmy-sized in the backs at times so bringing in powerful Chris Feauai-Sautia on the wing is a smart tweak.

Winger Jock Campbell has been moved to fullback and may also take on the goalkicking now Bryce Hegarty finds himself on the bench.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has reverted to his Test position as blindside flanker which adds size to the pack with Angus Blyth as the new starting lock.

Against the renowned scrummagers of Argentina, the Reds do look vulnerable on the bench with a rookie front-row of replacements, Dane Zander, Josh Nasser and Sean Farrell.

The Reds produced one of their most gutsy efforts of the Thorn era with an 18-7 win in Buenos Aires in 2018 and it will take more of the same on Sunday.

Young No.8 Harry Wilson is leading the Reds in runs (21), running metres (134), linebreaks (2) and tackle busts (7).

* Wallaroos centre Sarah Riordan will make her Queensland Reds return against Fiji’s women’s team at Ballymore (3pm) on Sunday.

Reds v Jaguares

Estadio Jose Amalfitani, Buenos Aires on Sunday (9am Qld time)

1. JP Smith

2. Alex Mafi

3. Taniela Tupou

4. Izack Rodda

5. Angus Blyth

6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto

7. Liam Wright (c)

8. Harry Wilson

9. Tate McDermott

10. James O’Connor

11. Henry Speight

12. Hamish Stewart

13. Hunter Paisami

14. Chris Feauai-Sautia

15. Jock Campbell

Reserves

16. Sean Farrell

17. Dane Zander

18. Josh Nasser

19. Harry Hockings

20. Angus Scott-Young

21. Moses Sorovi

22. Isaac Lucas

23. Bryce Hegarty