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Injured Petaia to miss Reds' Jaguares test

3 minute read

Jordan Petaia's injury struggles have continued, the Reds talent ruled out of a clash with the Jaguares in Buenos Aires with a shoulder complaint.

JORDAN PETAIA of Queensland Country makes a run during the Fijian Drua and Queensland Country in Lautoka, Fiji.
JORDAN PETAIA of Queensland Country makes a run during the Fijian Drua and Queensland Country in Lautoka, Fiji. Picture: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images

Queensland coach Brad Thorn is adamant his side has enough firepower to finish their torrid Super Rugby road trip on a high despite the loss of gun centre Jordan Petaia to another injury.

Petaia turns 20 next month but he will likely be celebrating from the sidelines after injuring his shoulder in Buenos Aires at training ahead of Sunday's clash with the Jaguares.

He will see a specialist in Brisbane next week, the Reds unsure how lengthy his latest setback will be.

Petaia hurt his foot in the second Super Rugby game of last season and then twinged a hamstring in the lead-up to what would have been his Wallabies debut, only to sensationally return to finish the Wallabies' World Cup campaign at outside centre.

Closely marked in the Reds' opening two losses, Petaia was eyeing off a breakout game against last year's finalists.

Instead it will be the hard-running Hunter Paisami wearing the No.13, given the chance to start after two solid bench showings and a brilliant stint in the side's pre-season trial against the Waratahs.

After arguably his best game for Queensland, winger Jock Campbell has replaced Bryce Hegarty at fullback while damaging ball-runner Chris Feauai-Sautia will start on the wing.

Hamish Stewart's impressive defensive display against the Lions last week has kept Isaac Lucas on the bench, with James O'Connor again named at No.10.

Harry Hockings is back on the bench having recovered from hand surgery while Angus Blyth will start alongside Izack Rodda at lock, shifting Lukhan Salakaia-Loto to the backrow.

Thorn was "gutted" for Petaia but optimistic their changes, both forced and unforced, could trouble a side that fell away badly in a loss to the Hurricanes last weekend.

"Jock Campbell has been playing great footy; it's competitive for those spots and he gets his opportunity this week," he said.

"It's even across all of them (the Reds' forwards) and Blythy's been in great form ... so he gets some time out there with Rodds and they've got some work to do."

The Reds have held leads and been in control against both the Brumbies and the Lions but have just two bonus points to show for their efforts on the road so far.

"We've had two tight games and we're looking to finish this tour (well and) take something back with us," Thorn said.

"We've got two bonus points but we're looking for that win to put us in a good space."

Queensland: Jock Campbell, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Hunter Paisami, Hamish Stewart, Henry Speight, James O'Connor, Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Alex Mafi, JP Smith. Reserves: Sean Farrell, Dane Zander, Josh Nasser, Harry Hockings, Angus Scott-Young, Moses Sorovi, Isaac Lucas, Bryce Hegarty.

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