Reds rookie Jamie-Jerry Taulagi to follow advice of Digby Ioane and back himself in attack

THE wise words of Digby Ioane to “not be scared but be yourself’’ will guide Jamie-Jerry Taulagi when the Reds rookie debuts on Saturday night.

CJamie-Jerry Taulagi will make his debut from the wing.

THE wise words of Digby Ioane to “not be scared but be yourself’’ will guide Reds risk-taker Jamie-Jerry Taulagi when the rookie debuts on Saturday night.

First-night nerves have been responsible for plenty of bland debuts but the new youngster on the wing at Suncorp Stadium knows only one way to play.

He’s a go-for-it finisher which is exactly why Reds coach Richard Graham has backed him to make a difference in an intense derby against Western Force.

“JJ has plenty of X-factor and we know the Force kick as much as anyone. There are sure to be some chances (on kick return),’’ Graham said.

Taulagi, 20, has put on more than 10kg since his arrival at University club training in 2012 as a skinny kid of Samoan heritage from Auckland.

Uni coach Mick Heenan still remembers spotting Taulagi for the first time.

“He arrived unannounced. At training, we did this defensive drill in a 4m by 4m area and no one could touch him,” Heenan recalled.

“I knew he had something with that footwork.”News_Rich_Media: 17 points from the boot of Quade Cooper has kept the Stormers at bay as the Reds bounced back from consecutive defeats to score a crucial 22-17 win over their South African visitors at Suncorp Stadium.

Taulagi brushed shoulders with Ioane before the Wallabies winger headed to France last year when his simple advice was taken on board.

“Don’t be scared. Be yourself. That’s what he told me,” Taulagi said.

Taulagi would have played fullback on Saturday night had Lachie Turner not pulled out at training at Ballymore Thursday morning with ankle soreness.

Taulagi was moved to the wing and super sub Ben Lucas promoted to fullback.

Scans will determine how connected Turner’s problem is to the broken leg he suffered a year ago.

Having run out of fit backs, the Reds have called up exciting Easts premiership fullback Jonah Placid, 18, to the bench.

“Jonah is the youngest in our squad but I was impressed with his trial time against the Chiefs in pre-season. He was not overawed and was particularly good in defence,” Graham said.

Strong-backed prop Pettowa Paraka, another Easts product, is also on the bench.

Graham said the intense “mate versus mate” feeling to the game was summed up by Southport School products James Slipper, Ben Tapuai and Rob Simmons (Reds) and Luke Morahan (Force) lining up on different sides.

“I think that mateship will end for 80 minutes at Suncorp Stadium when everyone will be trying to get one up on the other,” Graham said.