Super Rugby 2020: Reds v Jaguares, Hunter Paisami replaces Jordan Petaia
Hunter Paisami has always played taller than his 172cm frame, but the Reds centre will have to shoulder even more of the load against the Jaguares as Jordan Petaia’s replacement.
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When new Reds centre Hunter Paisami was growing up, he’d write on his wrist that “size doesn’t matter, it’s all about the heart” when preparing to put his body on the line.
He grew up among far bigger boys in Auckland and those wise words were what his dad fortified him with before every game.
In his short time in the Reds squad, Paisami, 21, has impressed by always playing a bigger game than the bland numbers that measure him at 91kg in a 1.72m frame.
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He’ll need to again to add punch to the Reds backline in Buenos Aires Sunday morning because the former Samoan Under-20s representative is the replacement for injured Wallaby Jordan Petaia (dislocated shoulder).
Meeting the Jaguares on their home patch is probably the toughest of the three games that have opened Queensland’s season on the road.
Last year’s finalists have plenty of Argentine Test players in their ranks plus a threatening mix of sharp attack and pack might.
This is a second chance for Paisami who has grown up off the field as well after an incident outside a Melbourne nightclub in 2018 led to the Rebels ending his promising start in their training squad.
A shift to Wests in Brisbane last year rebooted his career and he grabbed his chance by winning selection for Brisbane City, under Reds attack coach Jim McKay, for the National Rugby Championship.
Size never mattered when he ripped into the opening round against the Fijian Drua at Ashgrove and dominated against bigger rivals with an eye-catching performance.
The Reds grew keen and sharing trial minutes at outside centre with Petaia has given Paisami some feel for today’s big step up as a starter.
Skipper Liam Wright didn’t try to sugar-coat the two losses to start the season because the Reds have led at the 55-minute mark against both the Brumbies and Lions.
“We’ve obviously arrived in Buenos Aires on the back of two losses due to our poor execution so essentially enough’s enough,” Wright said.
This next revelation will be nothing new to any frustrated Reds’ fan who has watched poor kicking and lame attempts to get out of their own territory.
“Our exits have got to be far better and that means the set-ups to clear (with kicks),” Wright said.
“We know the Jaguares have attacking players all over the field and are good at putting up high balls for us to handle so it’s going to be a challenge.
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“There have got to be some desperate calls from home demanding a win and we have to stick far better to our systems with good play upon good play to get in that position.”
Petaia has stayed on with the tour squad after popping his shoulder at training last Wednesday. He will visit a specialist for scans in Brisbane on Tuesday after the team flies home.
“We really feel for Jordie. It’s really unfortunate for him on his first tour to South Africa and Argentina,” Wright said.
Originally published as Super Rugby 2020: Reds v Jaguares, Hunter Paisami replaces Jordan Petaia