Bond University hooker Alex Mafi’s Golden opportunity in Johannesburg

An untimely ankle injury to starting hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa has handed the Bond University product the keys to the Reds dominant set piece machine for the foreseeable future.

Queensland Reds hooker Alex Mafi trains in Johannesburg. Picture: QRU / Tom Mitchell

While injuries forced hooker Alex Mafi to watch the Queensland Reds pre-season from the sidelines earlier this year, injury has now thrust him into the starting jersey for the most important month of his career.

An untimely ankle injury to starting hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa has handed Mafi the keys to the Reds dominant set piece machine for the next six to eight weeks.

There could be no better time for the 23-year-old Bond University product to shine as a changing of the guard at Wallabies level presents a golden opportunity.

Queensland Reds hooker Alex Mafi trains in Johannesburg. Picture: QRU / Tom Mitchell

Wallabies boss Dave Rennie threw down the gauntlet last week to any player eyeing a gold jersey to step up and earn it through Super Rugby.

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Selectors will watch closely on Saturday night as the Reds become the first Australian side to tangle with World Cup champion opposition this season when they take on the Lions in Johannesburg.

Losing Paenga-Amosa is a blow but few teams in the competition can call upon a replacement of Mafi’s quality.

“We’re fortunate to have two very good hookers,” coach Brad Thorn said before last week’s season-opener.

“Muff (Mafi) got most of the starts last year, he’s dynamic and a very good footballer.

“The big thing is having the starting jersey but on the other side the finishers are the guys who are there when the game is won or lost.”

Queensland Reds hooker Alex Mafi trains in Johannesburg. Picture: QRU / Tom Mitchell

Mafi’s challenge will be translating those frenetic half-hour cameos to performances of 60 minutes or longer as untested rookie Sean Farrell replaces him on the bench.

The calf injury that ruled him out of most of the team’s pre-season activities was only freshly healed when he played 70 minutes in the 40 degree heat of Canberra last week as an injury substitution.

“I wasn’t involved much with the team at all (during pre-season) because I spent most of it in rehab, which was very frustrating,” the Bond Bullshark said.

Queensland Reds hooker Alex Mafi rehabs in the heat at Palm Beach Currumbin Alleygators in December. Picture: QRU / Brendan Hertel

“It’s extremely exciting being back doing rugby affiliated training, not just rehab focused stuff.

“It’s so good being back among the boys.”

Gold Coast product James O’Connor has shifted to flyhalf while ex-Bond University centre Hamish Stewart comes into the side at inside centre.

TSS graduate Jock Campbell and Bond Uni winger Henry Speight will start on the wings.

Angus Blyth has been relegated to the bench and Keebra Park prop Feao Fotuaika drops out of the matchday 23.

St George Queensland Reds v Lions – Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg on 8 February at 11:05pm AEST

1. JP Smith – GPS

2. Alex Mafi – Bond University

3. Taniela Tupou – Brothers

4. Izack Rodda – Easts

5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – Souths

6. Angus Scott-Young – University of Queensland

7. Liam Wright © – Easts

8. Harry Wilson – Brothers

9. Tate McDermott – University of Queensland

10. James O’Connor – Brothers

11. Henry Speight – Bond University

12. Hamish Stewart – Brothers

13. Jordan Petaia – Wests

14. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland

15. Bryce Hegarty – GPS

16. Sean Farrell* – Souths

17. Dane Zander – Norths

18. Josh Nasser* – University of Queensland

19. Angus Blyth – Bond University

20. Seru Uru – Easts

21. Moses Sorovi – Wests

22. Isaac Lucas - Sunnybank

23. Hunter Paisami – Wests

*denotes potential Super Rugby and Queensland debut