Reds axe Vunivalu, bench O'Connor for Brumbies
James O'Connor has been benched by the Queensland Reds in favour of third-choice playmaker Lawson Creighton, while Suliasi Vunivalu has been axed from the side to face the ACT Brumbies.
The pair paid the price for their off-colour showings in last Friday's loss to the Crusaders, with Vunivalu's demotion coming in the same week he was included in Eddie Jones' first Wallabies training squad.
With 19-year-old five-eighth Tom Lynagh still exhibiting concussion symptoms, Reds coach Brad Thorn has called up Creighton for the first time this season to take on the Brumbies on Friday night.
O'Connor was replaced as first-choice kicker by Isaac Henry last week and was poor generally off the boot against the Crusaders, while Vunivalu laboured in a display that appeared lacking in confidence after a spate of hamstring injuries.
The Reds are 2-4 while the Brumbies (5-1) are third overall and the best-placed Australian outfit.
Meanwhile, second-rowers Angus Blyth and Seru Uru have both signed two-year extensions with the Reds, following Lynagh's commitment to the club until 2025 earlier in the week.
QUEENSLAND REDS: Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Phransis Sula-Siaosi, Angus Blyth, Seru Uru, Liam Wright (cc), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (cc), Lawson Creighton, Filipo Daugunu, Isaac Henry, Josh Flook, Jordan Petaia, Jock Campbell. BENCH: Richie Asiata, Dane Zander, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Jake Upfield, Kalani Thomas, James O'Connor, Taj Annan.
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Completely and utterly agree mate. The whole George Ford kick substitution issue pales into significance compared to the issue that we didn't get anywhere near the bloody tryline except with an interception. Our attack is nonexistent. If we're only getting a maximum of 3 points on an entry to the red zone it doesn't matter who's on the damn bench! Borthers and Wigglesworth spent their careers trotting after kicks and taking set pieces, that's how they think rugby should be played. The scoreline was incredibly flattering, England were poor.
Go to commentsBest article ever
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